Category: Research methods

ASSESSMENT 4: Summative Essay – Draft Research Plan
Completion requirements
To do: Make a submission
In the 8th and last week you are
required to summarize all the knowledge gained from previous weeks and develop
your own Draft Research Plan that counts for 40% of your overall grade.
Find and complete the “Draft
Research Plan_Template” located
in this week’s content. Clear instructions for the completeness of this
template are included within the template however prior of submitting the
concept paper please remember to eliminate or erase the instructions.
Support your paper with minimum
of five (5) resources . In addition to these specified resources, other
appropriate scholarly resources, including older articles, may be included.
Length: ALL sections of the “Draft  Research Plan” template
must be completed (10-14 pages excluding title page and references).
Approximately 3000 – 4000 words. Your pages must be Double spaced with a Font
style Times New Roman and 12 Font Size.
Your paper should reflect scholarly
writing and APA Referencing standards. Be sure to adhere to  Academic
Integrity Policy by avoiding plagiarism through text-citing and acknowledging
other authors’ work.  
Upload your assignment using the link
below by Sunday 11:59 pm (23:59 hours) VLE (UTC) time on
the due date at the latest.
Top of Form
Add submission
Bottom of Form
Submission status
Attempt number
This is attempt 1.
Submission status
No submissions have been made yet
Grading status
Not graded
Time remaining
55 days 20 hours remaining
Grading criteria
Assessment Score and Criteria Scoring.
Topic
Agreement
with assignment’s directions and the essay’s title and purpose
Maximum
score
10
Satisfying
Satisfying
development of each section and clear evidence of a complete grasp of the
knowledge. A defined and compehensive conceptual framework with categories /
elements or variables
Maximum
score
10
Validation
Use of
references and in-text citations
Maximum
score
10
Argumentation
Views
are properly developed and supported with in-text citations. Use examples /
evidence, diagramms / charts (if necessary).
Maximum
score
10
Personal
style
The
student expresses his/her personal view with critical perspective and
evaluates arguments with supporting evidence
Maximum
score
5
References
sources (a convergent production,   b. divergent production)
A)
Student’s work is convergent, examines different views/ideas, aspects and
identifies convergences and expresses conclusions. B) Student works in an
analytical way. He/she identifies and elaborates views/ideas and information.
Maximum
score
5
Correct
organization, essential parts of the study topic
There
is an appropriate introduction, main text (development), conclusions and
reccommendations (if necessary).
Maximum
score
5
Logical
structure
There
is logical structure (which aspects of the topic are presented first and
which topics follow?). Is the structure the student follows logical?
Maximum
score
10
Links
and Sequence of chapters and sub-sections (macro level)
Student
organizes his/her essay in chapters and sub-sections. The essay’s
organization is distinct and clear (the end of the previous section is linked
with the following section).
Maximum
score
10
Links
and sequence of paragraphs (micro-level)
Student
organizes his/her essay in paragraphs (the end of the previous paragraph is
linked with the following paragraph)
Maximum
score
5
Consistent
use of terms and scientific names
Valid
and appropriate scientific terms are used.
Maximum
score
4
Clarity,
accuracy and language
Flexibility
in expressions, uniformity and writing in complete messages (words’
repetition, simplified words), appropriate writing style (use of ‘third’
person)
Maximum
score
2
Elaborate
syntax
Correct
verb-tense and pronouns, complete sentences, order of words and sentences
Maximum
score
2
Correct
spelling
Correct
use of punctuation, no misspellings, contractions and typing errors
Maximum
score
2
General
presentation
Cover Page,
Table of Contents, Page numbering, Margins and Justified margins, Line
spacing, Appendices (if necessary), Font consistency, Separation of
paragraphs
Maximum
score
7
APA
reference system
Citations,
internal referencing and reference list according to APA referencing guide
with no errors
Maximum
score
3

Guidelines for Final In-Class Presentations.  
You do not have to cover all of these points in extensive detail.  Figure out what you want to highlight in the 15 minutes you have been allotted, making sure included all the major headings. 
1. A brief Introduction & Background.
2. Study hypothesis reflecting clear measurable variables (IV) & (DV).
3. Methodology:
Targeted population.
Study design: pre-experimental, experimental or quasi- experimental
Sample, sampling strategies and recruitment procedures 
Measurement, data collection methods, i.e., survey, observation, interview, records, focus groups etc…  
Proposed analysis: quantitative or qualitative 
4. Proposed Data Analysis:   
a. Quantitative, Univariate, and Bivariate Analysis.
b. Qualitative: Content, thematic analysis, and coding.
5. Reporting on the major findings.
6. Discussion. 

Please see attached guidelines and worksheet (please just add to the worksheet). I am attaching my DNP Project paper that you can copy/paste most of the information for the worksheet. Please see the attachments for further guidance. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with further questions.

Read the research question below and write a one-paragraph description that includes the following;
Identify the variables, including the following:
Variables (ex: gender, GPA)
Are the variables numeric or categorical (ex: Gender is categorical; GPA is numeric)
If the variable is categorical, then provide the categories/groups that make up that variable (ex: For gender, the groups would be female, male, and other)
If the variable is numeric, then provide the range of possible values (ex: GPA is measuring the person’s college GPA score)
Correctly worded hypothesis (null & alternative)
What statistical test should be used to analyze this hypothesis, and why is that test the most appropriate?
Statistical Test Options: Chi-square, Correlation, Spearman correlation, Independent samples t-test, ANOVA, Linear Regression, Multiple Regression. [Note: You can only use one of these tests for this assignment unless you get permission from the instructor.]
Remember, the statistical test has to match the type of variables you have. For example, you cannot do a correlation between gender and GPA because gender is categorical. For a correlation, you need two numeric variables. Instead, you could do an ANOVA because there is a categorical variable with three groups and one numeric variable.
Have at least one APA style in-text citation and reference (peer-reviewed and/or textbook) to support your choice of test.
RESEARCH QUESTION – Is there a relationship between gender and education level? 

For this assessment, imagine your manager has tasked you with investigating hiring practices to help create a more diverse work environment at your organization. Your manager would like you to find empirically-based practices (evident in current peer-reviewed journal articles of scientific studies) that resulted in improvements in workplace diversity for teams and organizations. 
—————-
Imagine that the organization where you work would like you to look into hiring practices to help create a more diverse work environment. They would like you to research study-backed practices that resulted in improvements in workplace diversity for teams and organizations.
Locate a research study published on this topic in the University Library. Recall what you have learned about how to identify a peer-reviewed research article to help in your search. I recommend you review all of the requirements of this assignment before making your final selection – ensure the one you choose will help you clearly address the prompts.
Evaluate the methods of the research and the results against the standards in APA Ethical Principles in Section 8, Research and Publication. Refer to Chapter 3, “Research in Psychology: An Ethical Enterprise” from your textbook for the APA Ethical Principles in Section 8.
Write a paper in APA format that addresses the following – each section should have its own heading in your APA-formatted paper:
Study Information:
Summary: Summarize the study in 75-125 words.
Methods: Explain the research methods used in 100-150 words.
Results: Summarize the results of the research in 100-150 words.
APA Section 8 Standards:
Identify the APA Section 8 standards that apply to this study in 150-200 words.
Support your answers with details of the study.
Evaluation of Performance on Ethical Standards
How well did the researchers do in observing the ethical standards that applied to their study?
Are there any standards they handled exceptionally well, or ones they could have paid more attention to?
Explain your answers in 150-200 words.
Recommendations
Based on your examination of your chosen study and the researchers’ performance on ethical aspects of the study, would you recommend that your organization use this study? Why or why not?
Explain your responses in 150-200 words.
Cite your sources in the body of your writing and reference any current scholarly sources used to support your assignment. At a minimum two sources should be present: the article you selected AND your textbook, though more can be used if applicable. This means your selected article and your textbook (along with any other sources used) should be included on a reference page at the end of your paper, and then cited in your paragraphs as appropriate, all in APA format.
Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines, including the reference list and in-text citations.
Univeristy Library: https://library.phoenix.edu/home
Book: Methods in Psychological Research. Fouth edition. Bryan J. Rooney Annabel Ness Evans
Please cite as much as possible from the book. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10NVugHFlHk4x_IG7TLTf1fq4TjEasLzII5doFS5UL-A/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QPa_vBToXX3z7QEVXH8Hp8CNpD6XDa0VTIUSgzuEeTU/edit
Assignment 1: Annotated Bibliography 
Due: Sunday, 3/20 by midnight. 
Upload it to google classroom under Assignment 1 submission
Length: 6-8 pages, entire document is double-spaced, no extra spaces between entries.
Assignment
For this course you will find 4 peer reviewed articles related to your research topic. 
Format
For all four articles, begin with an APA format citation, followed by a 2 paragraph annotation. Each paragraph will take up the guiding questions below in 4-5 sentences. You should formulate your thinking into two cohesive paragraphs. The goal of this annotated bibliography is to allow you to synthesize what the research is saying with respect to the topic you are interested in. While your first paragraph allows you to synthesize and summarize the findings of the specific article, the second paragraph will allow you to critically and closely consider how the current research impacts your own interests and research (related to the teaching or learning of emergent bilingual students).   
The first paragraph provides a summary of the article:
What real-world problems were the researchers interested in studying? What did they set out to understand?
How do the researchers understand bilingualism, language, and students labeled English Language Learners (multilingual learners/emergent bilinguals)?
Which theoretical frameworks of bilingualism are the foundation of this work? 
What did the researchers find when they analyzed their data?
The second paragraph is a reflection on its applicability to your own research:
How does this article help you understand your topic or research question?
What drew you to this article?
What do you know now that you did not know before?
Did this article help you understand bilingual pedagogy in a new way?
What methodology or methods (if any) might you borrow? 
How does it connect to your research interests or how does it reflect issues that affect your emergent bilinguals or bilingual programs that you work in?
RESOURCES: See a sample of an annotated bibliography for ONE article (click here)

This journal measures your mastery of ULO 1.4 and 2.2 and CLOs 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Use the embedded methods argument and the paradigm argument to persuade a 
researcher to avoid using a mixed methods research (MMR) strategy.
Then, reflect on how you can apply the concepts learned in this course to your current or future career. How might the lessons you have learned positively impact your career
success?
(The concepts of the course introduces quantitative and qualitative research strategies to enhance evidence-based decision-making to solve business problems, mitigate risks, and stimulate growth. Causal, descriptive, and exploratory research designs are considered. Applied research methods are evaluated, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, case studies, observation, and experimentation. Actionable steps are prescribed for sampling, collecting, statistically analyzing, interpreting, and reporting hypothesis testing results.)
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
Appraise business research strategies.
Differentiate between research designs and research methods.
Discriminate sampling designs.
Differentiate data collection designs.
Incorporate foundations of measurement in research.
Evaluate statistical procedures used in hypothesis testing.
This should help with the second part of essay.

must be 8 – 10 pages long APA format with references 
This is the outline: 
Essay Outline: Disease Called Addiction
I. Introduction
A. Creative Opening:
“In the depths of the human experience lies a silent predator, lurking in the shadows of pleasure and pain alike. It creeps insidiously into lives, tearing apart families, destroying dreams, and leaving behind a trail of brokenness. This predator is none other than addiction—a disease that knows no bounds, affecting millions worldwide.”
B. Background Information:
– Define addiction and its various forms (e.g., substance addiction, behavioral addiction).
– Highlight the prevalence of addiction globally.
– Introduce the complexity of addiction as a disease, involving biological, psychological, and social factors.
C. Preview of Main Points:
– Exploration of the biological mechanisms underlying addiction.
– Examination of psychological factors contributing to addiction.
– Analysis of societal influences and interventions for addiction.
D. Thesis Statement:
“Through an exploration of its biological, psychological, and societal dimensions, it becomes evident that addiction is a multifaceted disease that requires comprehensive understanding and multifaceted interventions.”
II. Body
A. Paragraph 1: Biological Mechanisms of Addiction
1. Topic Sentence: The roots of addiction delve deep into the intricate workings of the human brain.
2. Supporting Details:
– Explanation of the reward pathway and the role of neurotransmitters such as dopamine.
– Discussion of genetic predispositions and the hereditary nature of addiction.
B. Paragraph 2: Psychological Factors in Addiction
1. Topic Sentence: Beyond biology, addiction often stems from underlying psychological vulnerabilities.
2. Supporting Details:
– Exploration of trauma, stress, and mental health disorders as risk factors for addiction.
– Examination of behavioral patterns such as impulsivity and compulsivity in addictive behaviors.
C. Paragraph 3: Societal Influences and Interventions
1. Topic Sentence: Addiction exists within a societal context shaped by various influences and factors.
2. Supporting Details:
– Analysis of environmental triggers and socio-cultural norms contributing to addiction.
– Overview of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies, including therapy, medication, and support groups.
III. Conclusion
A. Restate Thesis:
“In unraveling the complexities of addiction, it becomes evident that a holistic approach encompassing biological, psychological, and societal perspectives is imperative for addressing this pervasive disease.”
B. Summarize Main Points:
– Biological mechanisms underscore the brain’s role in addiction.
– Psychological vulnerabilities contribute to addictive behaviors.
– Societal influences shape addiction and intervention strategies.
C. Tie Back to Opening:
“As we confront the formidable adversary that is addiction, let us not forget the faces behind the statistics, the lives shattered by its grasp. Only through collective understanding and concerted action can we offer hope and healing to those ensnared by this relentless disease.”

In your final paper, you will bring together all the components you have uncovered through your detective work and serve as a reminder of the six components of information literacy, academic integrity, CRAAPO test, scholarly information, and the research process.
Further instructions are in the Word Document (GEN
103 Final Project: Applying Information Literacy).
Section 1 of this document talks about my 3 research questions, which are provided in Information Literacy Workshop 2.
*If you need to reference any source, please cite properly.

The questions are more about how to set up research questions, etc. I’m so far from remembering this, that it is embarrassing. 
My field is higher education administration, and I would like to focus on online degrees versus traditional (brick-and-mortar) degree programs and their effectiveness. I’m open to any conversations about a better problem/research topic. 
The questions are broken down by week, and the textbook is attached. I’m happy to help and answer any questions.