1. CHAPTER OVERVIEW The Format of a Research Proposal Being Neat
Evaluating the Studies You Read
Planning the Actual Research

2. THE FORMAT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Introduction
A (brief) review of the relevant literature
Method
Proposed analysis of the data
Results of the data
Implications and limitations
Appendices

3. INTRODUCTION The problem statement A rationale for the research
Statement of the research objectives
Hypothesis
Definition of terms
Summary

4. LITERATURE REVIEW The importance of the question asked
The current status of the topic
The relationship between the literature and problem statement
Summary

5. METHOD Participants Research design Data collection plans
Operational definitions
Reliability and validity of instruments
Results of pilot studies
Proposed analysis of data
Results of data

6. IMPLICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS

7. APPENDICES Copies of instruments that will be used
Results of pilot studies
IRB application and letter of approval
Participant approval form
Time line

8. NEATNESS
Follow APA guidelines

9. EVALUATING THE STUDIES YOU READ
Understand the literature you read
Critically evaluate the studies you read

10. CRITERIA FOR JUDGING A RESEARCH STUDY
The review of previous research
The problem and the purpose
The hypothesis
The method
The sample
Results and discussion
References
General comments about the report

11. PLANNING THE ACTUAL RESEARCH
What activities must be completed?
How much time will it take to complete each step?

12. SELECTING A DEPENDENT VARIABLE
Try to use proven measures
Ensure that the measure is valid
Ensure that the measure is reliable
Consider what training you might need in order to use the measure
Be sure the test is available to you
If norms are needed, be sure they are available
Obtain the most recent version of the test
Be sure that the test is appropriate for the age group you intend to sample
Read any reviews of the test that are available

13. REVIEWING A TEST If you use a test
If you use a test to measure the dependent variable
Review and evaluate the test on these criteria
Basic information
General test information
Design and appearance
Reliability
Validity
Norms
Evaluation

14. SELECTING A SAMPLE Others may also be seeking participants
Think about whether group membership poses a problem
Know exactly how you intend to approach your participants
Clearly identify the population from which you intend to sample
The size of your sample depends on the type of research you are doing
Consider both validity and reliability
Consider how much money you can spend
The number of variables and groups you study affects required sample size

15. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
HAVE YOU
Developed a data collection form?
Specified appropriate descriptive statistics for your data?
Identified what other demographic information you will need?
Collected and analyzed pilot data?

16. SELECTING AN INFERENTIAL STATISTIC
Using a flow chart like figure 8.3 can be useful for common analyses
But there is no substitute for a good statistics course

17. PROTECTING HUMAN SUBJECTS
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Informed consent