Research Methods

by | Jan 27, 2019 | Analysis

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Overview
Write a 2–3 page assessment in which you will compare the research questions, hypotheses, methodologies, and overall findings of two psychology research articles and explain how the articles illustrate the main differences between quantitative and qualitative research.
Note: Developing a research proposal requires specific steps that need to be executed in a sequence. The assessments in this course are presented in sequence and must be completed in order.
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There are many different types of research studies, and the type of study that is done depends very much on the research question. While there are a number of different types of studies that can be done, all of them fall under two basic categories: quantitative and qualitative.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
o Competency 1: Describe types of psychological research methods.
 Describe key elements of both a quantitative and a qualitative research project, including hypothesis, methods, and findings.
 Compare the research methods used in a quantitative research study and a qualitative research study.
 Describe the sample and sample size used in both a qualitative and a quantitative research study.
o Competency 2: Evaluate research methods and psychological research findings.
 Evaluate the data collection process, including methods and instruments used, in both a qualitative and a quantitative research study.
o Competency 4: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
 Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.
 Apply proper APA formatting and style.
Competency Map
Check Your ProgressUse this online tool to track your performance and progress through your course.
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Context
Psychology research aims to understand human behavior. In most cases, psychology research focuses on the ways in which elements of the environment—be they people, places, things, relationships, situations, or conditions—affect that behavior. Research in psychology is the basis for the practice of psychology: a practicing psychologist must use interventions that are shown to be effective through research.
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Read the Assessment 1 Context document for important information on the following topics related to research methods:
o Quantitative research.
o Qualitative research.
o The research report.
o Research questions.
o The hypothesis.
o Variables.
o Selecting a research problem.
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Questions to Consider
As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.
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o How do sample size, data collection, and data analysis differ in qualitative and quantitative studies?
o Where do good research ideas come from?
o What topics in psychology interest you most?
o Do you prefer to investigate your topic of interest with a qualitative or quantitative design?
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Resources
Suggested Resources
The resources provided here are optional. You may use other resources of your choice to prepare for this assessment; however, you will need to ensure that they are appropriate, credible, and valid. The PSYC-FP4600 – Research Methods in Psychology Library Guide can help direct your research, and the Supplemental Resources and Research Resources, both linked from the left navigation menu in your courseroom, provide additional resources to help support you.
o Assessment 1 Context.
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Research Process
o Diagram of the Scientific Method.
o The Research Continuum.
The following chapters will give a good introduction to research language, hypothesis, and methods.
o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. Available from the bookstore.
 Chapter 1, “The Role and Importance of Research,” pages 1–14.
 Chapter 2, “The Research Process: Coming to Terms,” pages 15–27.
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
o Qualitative Versus Quantitative Analysis Quiz.
o Quantitative Versus Qualitative Research.
o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
 “Different Types of Research,” pages 7–11.
Sampling
o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
 Chapter 4, “Sampling and Generalizability” pages 73–80.
Data Collection
o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
 Chapter 7, “Data Collection and Descriptive Statistics,” pages 116–130.
Reading and Evaluating Research
o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
 “Reading and Evaluating Research,” pages 44–45.
 “Evaluating the Studies You Read,” pages 193–194.
The following chapters from the Salkind text deal with writing research proposals and manuscripts and can help you to understand how a research article is constructed.
o Chapter 13, “Writing a Research Proposal,” pages 192–199.
o Chapter 14, “Writing a Research Manuscript,” pages 200–201.
• Assessment Instructions
Note: You must complete and receive feedback on this assessment before moving on to submit Assessment 2.
Use the Capella library to locate two psychology research articles: a quantitative methods article and a qualitative methods article. These do not need to be on the same topic, but if you have a research topic in mind for your proposal (see Assessment 5), you may wish to pick something similar for this assessment. Read each article carefully.
Then, in a 2–3 page assessment, address the following elements:

  1. Summarize the research question and hypothesis, the research methods, and the overall findings.
  2. Compare the research methodologies used in each study. In what ways are the methodologies similar? In what ways are they different? (Be sure to use the technical psychological terms we are studying.)
  3. Describe the sample and sample size for each study. Which one used a larger sample and why? How were participants selected?
  4. Describe the data collection process for each study. What methods were used to collect the data? Surveys? Observations? Interviews? Be specific and discuss the instruments or measures fully—what do they measure? How is the test designed?
  5. Summarize the data analysis process for each study. How was the data analyzed? Were statistics used? Were interviews coded?
  6. In conclusion, craft 1–2 paragraphs explaining how these two articles illustrate the main differences between quantitative and qualitative research.
    Additional Requirements
    o Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
    o APA formatting: Your assessment should be formatted according to current APA guidelines for style and formatting.
    o Length: A typical response will be 2–3 typed and double-spaced pages.
    o Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
    Assessment 2
    Content
    • Print
    • Research and Literature Review
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    o Details
    o Attempt 1Available
    o Attempt 2NotAvailable
    o Attempt 3NotAvailable
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    Overview
    Write a 6–8 page literature review using 4–8 articles on a topic of interest.
    Note: Developing a research proposal requires specific steps that need to be executed in a sequence. The assessments in this course are presented in sequence and must be completed in order.
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    Context
    Without research participants, there would be no research. Research participants are meant to represent us all as we study their behavior in order to determine how and why we, as humans, behave as we do. As such, research participants are extremely valuable and should be treated with care and concern for their well-being.
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    Questions to Consider
    As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.
    Show More
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    Resources
    Suggested Resources
    The resources provided here are optional. You may use other resources of your choice to prepare for this assessment; however, you will need to ensure that they are appropriate, credible, and valid. The PSYC-FP4600 – Research Methods in Psychology Library Guide can help direct your research, and the Supplemental Resources and Research Resources, both linked from the left navigation menu in your courseroom, provide additional resources to help support you.
    o Assessment 2 Context.
    This resource contains important information related to ethics in research, sampling and generalizability, and sample size.
    o Go to the Capella University Library and review the Mental Measurements Yearbook database. On the Databases tab, in Databases A–Z, click Mental Measurements Yearbook.
    Show More
    • Assessment Instructions
    Note: You must complete and receive feedback on this assessment before moving on to submit Assessment 3.
    In Assessment 5, you will design an ethically appropriate research proposal plan for a psychological research study. Before beginning Assessment 2, review Assessment 5. Consider the parameters for Assessment 5, and choose a topic that you would like to research in Assessment 2 as well as the remaining assessments in this course.
    Then, conduct research in the Capella University Library on your topic. Identify 4–8 articles on your topic of interest to read and analyze for use in this assessment.
    Write a literature review in the form of a 6–8 page paper in which you discuss the following:
  7. A research question and methodology needed to address it: Begin your paper by clearly identifying both the research question and hypothesis that your proposal will address as well as the research methodology you plan to (hypothetically) use. If your plan is for qualitative work, research questions are sufficient. Please operationalize the variables and provide a brief explanation as to the method of research that will be employed and a brief rationale for your choice.
  8. The research question’s relevance: Include a description of why this topic is important to research in the context of current literature on the topic. Provide scholarly information that supports your view.
  9. Theories underscoring the area of research: Describe the specific psychological theory or theories related to the chosen topic that are best suited to form the foundation for the proposed research. Be sure to identify how this theory pertains to the proposed research.
  10. A literature review of the 4–8 related articles you identified for this assessment.
  11. Consider how these articles inform the research questions you posed.
  12. Include a discussion of some of the research methodologies employed.
  13. Identify any limitations of the studies (for example, small sample size, focusing on one age group only) and gaps in the research.
    Be sure to include a concluding paragraph for your literature review.
    Additional Requirements
    o Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
    o APA formatting: Your paper should be formatted according to current APA guidelines for style and formatting.
    o Length: A typical response will be 6–8 typed and double-spaced pages.
    o Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
    Assessment 3
    Content
    • Print
    • Measurement and Statistics in Research
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    o Details
    o Attempt 1Available
    o Attempt 2NotAvailable
    o Attempt 3NotAvailable
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    Overview
    Write a 5–6 page assessment in which you discuss the types of measures and assessments that fit into your research proposal.
    Note: Developing a research proposal requires specific steps that need to be executed in a sequence. The assessments in this course are presented in sequence and must be completed in order.
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    The measurements and statistics used in quantitative research attempt to quantify human behavior for the purposes of comparison. It can be said that the reason we try to quantify human behavior is to better understand, and by understanding the better we can help.
    By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
    o Competency 1: Describe types of psychological research methods.
     Describe why selected data analysis procedure(s) make sense with a particular research methodology.
    o Competency 2: Evaluate research methods and psychological research findings.
     Select appropriate measures for each variable of a research study.
     Describe how identified methods will be used in a research study.
     Describe the data analysis process for a proposed research study.
    o Competency 4: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
     Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.
     Apply proper APA formatting and style.
    Competency Map
    Check Your ProgressUse this online tool to track your performance and progress through your course.
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    Context
    Quantitative research requires that we measure participants in some form. It is an attempt to quantify human behavior for the purposes of comparison, either among groups or before and after an intervention of some kind. Measuring behaviors, thoughts, and emotions is difficult. Accuracy of measurement requires a solid definition of what is being measured.
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    The Assessment 3 Context document contains important information related to the measurement and statistics in research and covering the following topics:
    o Levels of measurement.
    o Reliability.
    o Validity.
    o Methods of measurement.
    o Data analysis.
    o Descriptive statistics.
    o Inferential statistics.
    o Statistical tests.
    o Interpreting results.
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    Questions to Consider
    As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.
    Show Less
    o What protections should you incorporate into your proposed research to ensure the ethical treatment of human participants?
    o What will be your target population, sampling procedure, and sample characteristics?
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    Resources
    Suggested Resources
    The resources provided here are optional. You may use other resources of your choice to prepare for this assessment; however, you will need to ensure that they are appropriate, credible, and valid. The PSYC-FP4600 – Research Methods in Psychology Library Guide can help direct your research, and the Supplemental Resources and Research Resources, both linked from the left navigation menu in your courseroom, provide additional resources to help support you.
    o Assessment 3 Context.
    This document contains important information related to measurement and statistics in research.
    o In the Capella University Library, review the Mental Measurements Yearbook database. On the Databases tab, in Databases A–Z, click Mental Measurements Yearbook.
    This resource will aid you in locating the types of measures and assessments that are available and relevant to your research question.
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    Data Analysis
    o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. Available from the bookstore.
     Chapter 7, “Data Collection and Descriptive Statistics,” pages 116–131.
     Chapter 8, “Introducing Inferential Statistics,” pages 132–147.
     Chapter 9, “Nonexperimental Research Descriptive and Correlational Methods,” pages 148–159.
    Data Analysis Qualitative
    o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
     Chapter 10, “Nonexperimental Research Qualitative Methods,” pages 160–170.
    Measures and Assessments
    o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
     Chapter 5, “Measurement, Reliability, and Validity,” pages 83–99.
     Chapter 6, “Sampling and Generalizability,” pages 100–115.
    • Assessment Instructions
    Note: You must complete and receive feedback on this assessment before moving on to submit Assessment 4.
    Access the Mental Measurements Yearbook (see the Resources) or another appropriate resource, and review types of measures and assessments that are available and relevant to your research question.
    Determine the types of measures and assessments that fit into your research proposal and write about them in a short paper. Your assessment should include the following:
  14. A measure selected for each variable under investigation. Please provide the name of the measure as well as the reliability and validity information. If you are writing a proposal for qualitative work, then discuss the constructs that will be assessed with the proposed measure
  15. A discussion of how the measure will be used—for example, as an assessment done once during the study.
  16. A discussion of the statistics and data analysis that you will conduct after collecting your data and the rationale for your selection. Be specific about the kind of data analysis you plan to use. Be sure to note why these data analysis procedures make sense with the research methodology you have proposed (for example, you would not use ANOVA with a qualitative grounded theory design).
    Additional Requirements
    o Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
    o APA formatting: Your assessment should be formatted according to current APA guidelines for style and formatting.
    o Length: A typical response will be 5–6 typed and double-spaced pages.
    o Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

Assessment 4
Content
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• Methodology
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o Details
o Attempt 1Available
o Attempt 2NotAvailable
o Attempt 3NotAvailable
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Overview
Write a 3–4 page assessment in which you compare the similarities and differences in the sampling, methodologies, and findings of selected research studies.
Note: Developing a research proposal requires specific steps that need to be executed in a sequence. The assessments in this course are presented in sequence and must be completed in order.
Show Less
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
o Competency 2: Evaluate research methods and psychological research findings.
 Compare the research question, design, and findings of both an experiment and a quasi-experiment.
 Compare the samples used in both an experiment and a quasi-experiment.
 Compare the methodology of both an experiment and a quasi-experiment.
o Competency 4: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
 Apply proper APA formatting and style.
 Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.
Competency Map
Check Your ProgressUse this online tool to track your performance and progress through your course.
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Context
Nonexperimental research is research that does not involve any manipulation of variables to see how one impacts another. There is no experimental control as there is in experimental research; we are simply trying to measure something as it exists in its natural state. As we are not controlling the variables in any way to make sure the influences of other extraneous variables are accounted for, the consequence is that we cannot claim any cause-and-effect relationship between the variables under study.
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There are too many unknowns to be able to say that one thing caused another when the rigors of experimental research are missing. However, nonexperimental research can show us interesting relationships that can be the impetus for investing the kind of time and resources necessary to study the phenomena experimentally.
The Assessment 4 Context document contains important information related to research methodologies and covering the following topics:
o Descriptive Methods.
o Correlational Methods.
o Qualitative Methods.
o Case Study.
o Case Study Questions.
o Ethnography.
o Grounded Theory.
o Pre-Experimental Methods.
o True Experimental Methods.
o Validity.
o Nonequivalent Control Group Designs.
o Developmental Designs.
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Resources
Suggested Resources
The resources provided here are optional. You may use other resources of your choice to prepare for this assessment; however, you will need to ensure that they are appropriate, credible, and valid. The PSYC-FP4600 – Research Methods in Psychology Library Guide can help direct your research, and the Supplemental Resources and Research Resources, both linked from the left navigation menu in your courseroom, provide additional resources to help support you.
o Assessment 4 Context.
This document contains important information related to research methodologies.
Experiments
o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. Available from the bookstore.
 Chapter 11, “Pre- and True Experimental Research Methods,” pages 171–181.
Quasi-Experiments
o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
 Chapter 12, “Quasi-Experimental Research,” pages 182–191.
• Assessment Instructions
Note: You must complete and receive feedback on this assessment before moving on to submit Assessment 5.
Locate two scholarly articles in the Capella library. One article should be about a true experiment and the other about a quasi-experiment. Carefully review both articles for use in this assessment.
Write a 3–4 page assessment comparing the similarities and differences of the following items in the research studies:
o The research question (hypothesis), design, and findings.
o The sample: What are the differences in sampling between the two different studies?
o The methodology: How did the methodology (pre-experimental versus experimental) differ between the two studies?
o The findings.
Be sure to include details about the defining features of each study. What makes it either experimental or pre-experimental? In the case of the pre-experimental design, why was this design necessary?
Additional Requirements
o Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
o APA formatting: Your assessment should be formatted according to current APA guidelines for style and formatting.
o Length: A typical response will be 3–4 typed and double-spaced pages.
o Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

Assessment 5
Content
• Print
• Creating a Complete Research Proposal
•
o Details
o Attempt 1Available
o Attempt 2NotAvailable
o Attempt 3NotAvailable
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Overview
Write a 15–20 page research proposal for a selected topic.
Note: Developing a research proposal requires specific steps that need to be executed in a sequence. The assessments in this course are presented in sequence and must be completed in order.
Show Less
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
o Competency 3: Apply knowledge of research methodology to design an ethically-appropriate plan for a psychological research study.
 Apply knowledge of research methodology to design an ethically appropriate plan for a psychological research study.
 Evaluate a body of literature, providing context for a proposed research study.
 Develop research methodology for a proposed research study.
 Describe the expected findings of a proposed research study.
o Competency 4: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
 Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.
 Apply proper APA formatting and style.
Competency Map
Check Your ProgressUse this online tool to track your performance and progress through your course.
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Context
Writing a research proposal is basically writing the first three chapters of an APA-style research article. It includes sections 1, 2, and 3 of the research paper—the Introduction, the Literature Review, and the Methodology sections. To recap, these sections include the following:
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Introduction
The Introduction serves to provide the reader with the background of the research problem. It identifies what the problem is, tells why it is important to study, and gives a brief summary of the most important findings related to the problem in order to put it into context with the rest of the literature on the topic. The main objective in the introduction is to help the reader understand the research problem and its importance to the field of psychology.
Literature Review
The Literature Review provides an in-depth look at all of the related research studies that have been published on the topic. It is an organized presentation of the studies that have done the groundwork for the current study and, when taken as a whole, point out the necessity for the new research by demonstrating how it fills a void in the literature—or is one of the missing pieces of that particular puzzle.
Method
The Method section provides the reader with a plan for testing the study’s hypothesis, or a plan from conducting the research study. Think of it like a recipe—it details, step by step, everything the researchers did to conduct the research. In a proposal, the Method chapter is written in future tense—a description of what will be done. Providing such a detailed account is important so that other researchers can attempt to replicate the research findings if they follow the instructions in the Method section.
One additional note—in this section of the research proposal, you should include a section called Expected Findings that would be removed after you conducted the actual study but serves to demonstrate your ability to predict from the literature what the findings of the study will be. It is essentially the place to declare your informed opinion as to the way the research will turn out.
Reference
Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
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Questions to Consider
As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.
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o Will you conduct research, participate in research, or simply be a consumer of research?
o How can you use research in your career, currently and in the future?
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Resources
Required Resources
The following resources are required to complete the assessment.
o Research Methods Template [DOCX].
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Suggested Resources
The resources provided here are optional. You may use other resources of your choice to prepare for this assessment; however, you will need to ensure that they are appropriate, credible, and valid. The PSYC-FP4600 – Research Methods in Psychology Library Guide can help direct your research, and the Supplemental Resources and Research Resources, both linked from the left navigation menu in your courseroom, provide additional resources to help support you.
o The Research Continuum.
Research Ethics
o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. Available from the bookstore.
 Chapter 3B, “The Importance of Practicing Ethics in Research,” on pages 64–72.
o American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/
 Scroll down and read “Section 8: Research and Publication.”
 These are the ethical standards developed by the American Psychological Association for research. These are the same standards guiding all who conduct research in the field of psychology.
Literature Reviews
o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
 Chapter 3A, “Selecting a Problem and Reviewing the Research,” pages 28–63.
Research Methodologies
o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
 Chapter 9, “Nonexperimental Research,” pages 148–159.
 Chapter 10, “Nonexperimental Research,” pages 160–170.
 Chapter 11, “Pre- and True Experimental Research,” pages 171–181.
 Chapter 12, “Quasi-Experimental Research,” pages 182–191.
Research Proposals
o Salkind, N. J. (2017). Exploring research (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
 Chapter 13, “Writing a Research Proposal,” pages 192–199.
 Chapter 14, “Writing a Research Manuscript,” pages 200–201.
• Assessment Instructions
Note: You must complete Assessments 1–4 before beginning Assessment 5.
The final assessment for this course is the completion of a formal APA-formatted research proposal. You must use the Research Methods Template, which is linked in the Resources. Your proposal should reflect revisions you made based on the feedback you received on Assessments 2 and 3.
Proposals should be approximately 15–20 pages in length (not including the references and title page), follow APA format, and contain the following elements in the order listed below:

  1. Title page (not included in 15–20 page requirement).
  2. Abstract (120 words or less) (Note that this is a separate page.).
  3. Introduction: a summary of your proposal and the research questions under study (1 page).
  4. Literature review (5–6 pages).
  5. Methods section (4–6 pages) that includes the following subsections:
    a. Research design selection and rationale (1 page).
    b. Participants.
    c. Instruments.
    d. Data analysis plan.
  6. Discussion of your expected findings (1–2 pages).
  7. Conclusion (1–2 paragraphs wrapping up the proposal).
  8. References (not included in 15–20 page requirement).
    Additional Instructions
    o Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
    o APA formatting: Your assessment should be formatted according to current APA guidelines for style and formatting.
    o Length: A typical response will be 15–20 typed and double-spaced pages, not including references and title page.
    o Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

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