PY3350 Research Methods
James C. Guy, Ph.D.
(Mock Research Proposal)
You should write an original Mock Research Proposal, similar to what you might submit for a grant. It should be well done, but as an entry level research methods course, it does not have to be elaborate. It can be a qualitative or a quantitative design. The paper must be in correct APA format, and include the title and reference pages with all required parts, and an abstract which of course goes on its own page. The body should include all the major parts of a research proposal with correct headings. Also include the other headings that would be included in a research presentation / article after the research is conducted. The wording is sometimes a bit different, and some qualitative designs may use slightly different headings, but should generally include the following headings and sections:
· Literature Review (or Background to the Study)
· Methodology to include information and subheadings for Participants and Procedures as well as ethical protections
· Results
· Discussion
· Conclusion
The paper should include an introduction, but remember that in APA you do not use a heading labeled “introduction”. See the sample papers in the Manual, textbook, and template for how this is done.
The first paragraph or two is your introduction and sets the stage for your paper.
The literature review must be well-written, but need not be complete and lengthy as would be expected in an actual proposal or a higher level research course. But, it must be at least one page in length.
The Methodology section should show that you know to include the required parts including the procedures, measures, ethics, sampling procedures, etc. However, just do the best you can on selecting the correct measures. You will not be graded on accuracy of the statistics / measures as long as it is at least somewhat logical.
The Results, Discussion, and Conclusion will not be known in a proposal (though some would have a Conclusion). So, just format these headings correctly but leave the sections under them blank. You just need to show that you know these should be included in a finished research report. You could include “anticipated findings” somewhere in these section if not elsewhere.
Finally, remember to include your hypothesis and/or research questions somewhere in your paper. Some include it in the introduction. Others may include it in the methodology. Where you put it is up to you, but do be sure it can be clearly identified.
Use your textbook and manual to help you further with the parts of the paper, and see the feedback from your previous Preliminary Research assignment.
Do a good job on this assignment as it counts for a lot of points, and is a summary of what you have learned in the course.
Submit your completed paper in Bb as a Word/PC attachment.
