Quantitative Research
Page constraints: 3-4 pages (one page your survey); methods and results section double-spaced; 12pt. font
Consider the following research question:
Are first generation students more greatly impacted by macro-level factors (like educational opportunities available, financial circumstances, prior education experience), or by micro-level factors (like ambition and family support)?
Review the data provided to you. On Friday, you will receive a fact sheet with: 1) descriptive data, 2) statistical output, 3) information on the data source.
Part One: Drafting a survey that is based on your work in class
1) What is the research question you worked on in class? (or another one if you chose to work with a new one)
2) Submit a 10-15 question survey that addresses the research questions. Be sure to address all of your variables, including demographic information.
Part Two: Writing your methods and results section using the data given to you.
1) Write 2 hypothesis (one null and one alternate for each) regarding the data you'll be receiving. One predicting the influence of a micro-level factor on first generation students, and another predicting the influence of a macro-level factor on first generation students.
2) Using the template below, write a methods and results section.
3) Write in paragraph structure, using ASA format.
See template below:
PART ONE:
SURVEY
Research question and variables
? What is your research question?
? What are your independent variable(s), dependent variable(s), control variables
Population, sampling frame, sample
? What is your population
? What is your sampling frame
? What is your sample (how many and who)
Questionnaire
? 10-15 survey questions to address IV, DV, and CVs
? Follow tips in lecture slides
PART 2
METHODS
Participants
? Who are they?
? How many?
? Are the demographic breakdowns representative (no need to give specifics)
? Where were they recruited from and what are the demographics of that place?
Procedures
? What kind of analysis do you do? (type of statistical model)
? What was your data source?
? When was data collected?
Measures
? For each of your variables
? What are they?
? Are they an independent, dependent, or control variable?
? How have you operationalized them?
? What did the survey say for each question?
RESULTS
Descriptive Statistics
? What are the descriptive statistics for each variables?
? Include a table with descriptive statistics for each variable (Include the break down of the IV, DV, and CV's which are the listed in the dossier as "Characteristics of the samples")
Hypothesis 1 - Micro-Level Factor
? State the hypothesis (null and alternate)
? Results
? State result
? Include a table with results for Hypothesis 1
? Significantly significant, and at what level of alpha
? Reject or fail to reject hypothesis
Hypothesis 2 - Macro-Level Factor
? State the hypothesis (null and alternate)
? Results
? State result
? include a table with results for Hypothesis 2
? Significantly significant, and at what level of alpha
? Reject or fail to reject hypothesis
Summary
? Re-state findings for both hypothesis
? What is the significance of the findings? What does this say about the broader research question (research question #1)