Please use the following outline to shape your research proposal. This proposal is limited to two pages (single spaced). The summary table can be a separate (third page) if necessary. The purpose of this document is to allow the reader to see how your topic fits into a broader context, how your questions stem from a problem, and how you will answer your questions through research methods and analysis.

I.General introduction and overview of the topic

Place the project within a broader context and provide the reader with some idea of why it is important. The introduction moves the idea from “this is an interesting topic” to “this is worthy of research.” There should be citations within your introduction to support the discussion. All this information leads the reader to see there is a problem. This is building the case for the study. [A1]

II.Research questions

Research questions should be specific enough so the reader can understand the variables of interest and it will allude to the analysis that will answer the question. Some examples of writing research questions can be found here: https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation-writing-roadmap/research-question-examples/

III.Procedures and Methodology

Research methodology defines the research methods and logic steps – What to do and how to solve the problem and achieve proposed objectives? Which research methods (e.g. survey[A2] , modeling, case study …) will be used?[A3]

• Research Paradigm ( quantitative)
• Research Design[A4]
• Sampling Procedures [A5] and or/Data Collection Sources (make sure to reference Informed Consent and IRB approval placed in Appendices). Please provide detailed information about your data. For example, if a survey, what kinds of questions and how will people answer the survey (scale, yes/no, open ended), will your data be at the individual level or in aggregate? Interview questions planned? How will the survey be distributed? Inclusion criteria for sample? Justification for distribution method?
• Statistical Tests

Reference list

Surname, Initial. (1999). Article Title. Journal Title, 1 (2), 1-100. Retrieved from: URL/ DOI.

[Please complete the summary on page 2]

Research summary

Questions à Methods à Results à Conclusions

Your questions determine your approach to data collection. Your method (type of data, sampling, analysis, etc.) impacts the quality of your results. The results influence what you can say about the study. They are all connected and if there is a break in the chain, the end will be a poor study.

[A1] [A1]Imagine the dissertation as a funnel. The discussion begins wide and narrows from the broad context, to a problem area, to a specific question.

[A2] [A2]If using a survey, make sure to describe the nature of the questions. For example, say “Teachers will respond using a scale of 1-5 on the frequency of use of specific assessment practices.” This will tell the reader if the analysis makes sense (scale, interval, or nominal data).

[A3] [A3]A new way of looking at things might by through using an existing survey applied to a new population. For example, a leadership survey used with student athletes. Another way of contributing is to look at an “old” topic in a new way, by developing a new survey, some other data collection that would be new. For example, if a topic has primarily been analysed quantitatively, could it be looked at qualitatively to add a dimension.

[A4]For more information on research design see

http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/design.php

[A5]For more information on sampling see https://www.simplypsychology.org/sampling.html

[A6]Is your question related to “differences”? What statistics measure “differences”? Is you question related to “relationships”? What statistics measure “relationships”?

[A7]Think about what you really want to answer in layman terms. This will help you determine if the statistics you select will answer your research question.