Early education positive outcomes SOC 321 – Research Methods: Research Proposal Exercises

Over the course of the semester (see course schedule) we will engage in a series of four research proposal exercises in which you will develop key components of what will become your final research proposal. For each exercise, a single document will be submitted.

Exercise 1: Introduction, Literature Review, And Causal Research Question

The first steps in any research project are to define a topic, review the relevant literature, and elaborate specific research question(s) and associate hypotheses. You should develop a properly defined topic that will serve to guide a research project (Babbie provides helpful ideas about what makes a well-defined research topic, and each group should consult chapter 4 very closely). As part of the exercise, you will review relevant research articles that address the topic you have chosen and discuss how you might build on (or challenge) the findings presented, and then specify your research questions and hypotheses.

Keep in mind that you will not have to complete the project that you are proposing. These exercises will help you develop your proposal that will be submitted at the end of the semester. It would be a good idea to read through each of the group exercises in this document before settling on a final topic.

For this exercise you will develop:

1. A brief introduction to your topic and why it is relevant to investigate

2. A review of the literature relevant to your research topic and question(s) (i.e., Relevant theoretical and

   evidence base for research question is briefly summarized)

3. A clear statement of your research questions and associated hypotheses (i.e., Causal research question

   articulated about the relationship between two variables, with IV and DV identified)

Submit these draft components of your research via Canvas on the date specified in the course schedule.

Exercise 2: Methods – Causal Research Design

Any research method has strengths and weaknesses, and certain questions are more appropriately answered through some methods than through others. For example, a study of attitudes toward abortion rights might be well served by conducting a survey (e.g., either interviewing students or asking them to fill out a questionnaire), as they are well suited to the study of public opinion. This is not to say that you couldn’t make good use of theother methods such as content analysis (e.g., examining letters to the editor and analyze the different images of abortion letter writers presented). Field research would provide an avenue to understanding how people interact with one another regarding the issue of abortion, how they discuss it, and how they change their minds. An experimental or quasi-experimental approach might allow you to answer questions regarding what factors might influence opinions about abortion rights.

For this exercise you will develop the methods section of your proposal, including:

1. A detailed description of a causal research design that is clearly capable to generating evidence of causation and informing your research question(s).

Submit these draft components of your research via Canvas on the date specified in the course schedule

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Exercise 3: Methods – Sampling Approach

Based on the topic that you selected in exercise 1, and the study design you proposed in exercise 2, propose an appropriate sampling strategy.

For this exercise you will develop the sampling component of the methods section of your proposal, including:

1. Identifying the population you will sample from

2. Specifying the approximate sample size required to conduct the study design you proposed in exercise 2

3. Describing how your probability or non-probability sampling approach will yield an appropriate type

   of sample for your research question

4. Detail your procedures for recruiting participants

Submit these draft components of your research via Canvas on the date specified in the course schedule

Exercise 4: Methods – Measurement and Procedures

Based on the topic that you selected in exercise 1, the study design you proposed in exercise 2, and the sampling approach you articulated in exercise 3, in this exercise your will identify how you will measure your key variables and how you will collect data.

For this exercise you will develop the measures and procedures components of the methods section of your proposal, including:

1. Specifying how you will measure your Independent and dependent in a way that will validly and reliably observe them

2. Clearly detailing data collection procedures appropriate for your research question(s), and aligned with sampling and measurement approaches.

Submit these draft components of your research via Canvas on the date specified in the course schedule