american psychological association publication manual W r i t i n g

Developing a MM Research Plan .

Research Proposal Components (the role morality and ethics contribute or play in today’s politic).

the role morality and ethics contribute or play in today’s politic).

Describe specific aspects of the research problem that are

addressed in the study and why the specific focus was chosen

(issue of internal validity).

◦

Define the boundaries of the study by identifying populations

included and excluded and conceptual frameworks most related

to the area of study that were not investigated (this is an issue of

external validity).

◦

Address potential generalizability or transferability.

• Significance of the Study. What are the implications of the results of

the study to researchers, practitioners, and for social change? For social

change, consider implications for positive social change at various levels,

including the individual, community, society, culture, etc. What good can

be produced from your study (regardless of your findings)?

Methods (represents some of Chapter 3)

In this section, you will describe in detail your overall approach to your

study. The methods section should be written in such a way that another re

–

searcher could replicate the methodology of your study (I realize that you may

not have all of these details confirmed – create the most complete plan you

can, please). The methods section should contain:

• Design. This section describes the research design. Specify your

design using mixed methods notation and a diagram showing the

relationships as appropriate. Be specific in how QUAN and QUAL

interweave. Provide your rationale for the particular methods and

combination chosen. This will derive from the purpose of your study. Note

what methods other researchers have used in similar studies. Identify

and justify the mixed-methods design and how your data collection and

analysis strategies work together as the best approach to answering your

research questions.

• Participants. Describe fully the setting and sample. This section should

include:

◦

Population from which the sample will be drawn.

◦

The chosen sampling method and a defense of why this is

the appropriate method. Also include sampling frame (time and

location of sampling).

◦

The eligibility criteria (e.g., what makes a person eligible and not

eligible for the study).

◦

Specify and defend the sample size(s).

• Instrumentation.

This section

describes

measures

/ tools

/ instruments/

tests you plan to use. This section includes the following elements as they

are appropriate to your particular mixed methods research design:

◦

Description of interview protocol, if applicable, and how it was

developed, including what research question(s) it was designed to

answer and how you ensure reliability and validity (include tool in

appendix).

◦

Description of observation protocol, if applicable, and how it was

developed, including what research question(s) it is designed to

answer and how you ensure reliability and validity (include tool in

appendix).

Description of the data the interview protocol will produce

(include sample in your appendix).

Name survey or assessment instrument and appropriate citation

giving credit to the originators, and description of any adaptations

to the instrument you have developed (include sample in

appendix).

Data that justify the reliability and validity of the instrument (it is

important to report actual coefficients and from multiple studies).

If you plan to develop any data collection tool, indicate your plans

for testing reliability and validity.

The variables the instrument measures (operationalization).

Where the data will be obtained to assess each variable in the

study.

How scores are calculated and what the scores mean.

Description of additional sources of data such as documents or

public records (include samples in the appendix).

• Procedures. This is where you take the reader through a step-by-step

account of how the study will be executed. The following information

needs to be present:

◦

How participants will be recruited.

◦

o The process for data collection. The processes by which the

data will be generated, gathered, and recorded are described.

For example, you will explain how the participants complete

and return items such as surveys, questionnaires, transcript

reviews, member checks. If data are collected via observation or

interviews, how will data be collected, managed, and analyzed?

Who will conduct the data collection pieces? Indicate whether

audio or video records will be used. Are you going to be using

existing (archival) data? If so, how will you obtain these?

◦

The systems that will be used for keeping track of data

and emerging understandings (software, analysis records,

spreadsheets, research logs, reflective journals, cataloging

systems) are clearly described.

• Data Analysis. This section reports the steps involved in the analysis

of the data.

◦

How data will be screened and cleaned.

◦

For each hypothesis, a detailed description of the analysis plan

that includes:

▪

Identification of independent and dependent variables.

▪

Statistical tests that will be performed.

▪

For model building strategies, such as those using multiple

or logistic regression, report method being used to include

variables

▪

If hierarchical modeling is being used, justify the order of

entering variables.

◦

Types of coding to be used.

◦

Any software used for management and analysis.

◦

Manner of treatment of discrepant cases.

◦

State the plan for how data will be integrated in the study and

particularly in the analyses.

• A discussion on Evidence of Quality showing how this study will follow

procedures to assure accuracy of the data and how ethical needs are

addressed (e.g., validity and reliability, trustworthiness, and so forth).

References

All cited literature must be in accordance with the requirements of the

American Psychological Association publication manual.

Appendix Items

Samples of data collection tools as amended.