EDU7702+NCU+Expectations


 * ** EDU7702-8 ** ||  ||
 * ** Research Design ** || ** 6 Northcentral’s Expectations ** ||
 * Stephen **
 * I liked your approach to this assignment - many students are a bit unsure how to approach it since it asks you to do something a bit different than you have done in the past. You adequately and accurately outlined the sections of the concept paper, and identified where quantitative and qualitative approaches are similar and different throughout. I hope this paper helped to solidify in your mind the process and purpose of the concept paper. **
 * Keep up the good work, **
 * Keep up the good work, **

=Northcentral University’s Concept Paper Expectations = In Northcentral University’s concept paper template there are six main sections and seven possible subsections within those sections. The introduction section consists of (a) the introduction, (b) statement of the problem, (c) purpose of the study, (d) research questions, and possibly (e) hypotheses. While the introduction and problem statement do not reflect on the research design, the purpose statement, research questions, and hypotheses do. The definition of key terms section is comprised of unique terms or words and has no subsections. This section may or may not allude to the research design depending on whether there are terms or definitions respecting the design that must be clarified. The brief review of the literature will have as many themes and sub-themes as is necessary to ground the study. The literature review does not directly reference the research design, but may include information on appropriate studies that bear on the topic at hand. The research method section addresses the research design directly and consists of (a) introducing the proposed research method, possibly (b) identifying operational definitions of variables or perhaps (c) means of measurement, and (d) a summary. The references and annotated bibliography sections of the concept paper do not directly reference research design, but will include articles cited in appropriate sections that may deal with the specifics of design or methodology ( “CP Template”, 2010 ).

Introduction
In the first two subsections of the introduction there are no references to research methodology. The remaining subsections of the introduction focus on the design. The purpose statement must clearly identify the research method. Depending on the methodology used, the purpose statement differs. In a quantitative study the focus is on the variables or constructs that will be measured and analyzed, so these are briefly identified in the purpose statement. Quantitative studies will often include variables that are thought to mediate, co-vary with, or confound the dependent variables. Through a power analysis the number of subjects in the sample will be identified in a quantitative study. Qualitative studies focus on a single phenomenon. For this reason in the purpose statement qualitative studies identify what person or context will be studied ( “CP Template”, 2010 ). The introduction section to the concept paper concludes with the research questions subsection and possibly the hypotheses subsection if the design is quantitatively based. These questions must be discrete, able to be answered, and between three and five in number. In a qualitative study the research questions need to be aligned with the problem statement and the purpose statement and regarding the phenomenon being studied. A qualitative design does not include hypotheses. A quantitative study will include both research questions and hypotheses. The hypotheses are paired, measurable, testable, and analyzable ( “CP Best Practices”, 2010 ).

Definition of Key Terms
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The definition of key terms section is used in the concept paper to identify and clarify terms that are not common, or that are used in the context of the dissertation in a unique way. A term may be included because it is an uncommon means for analyzing the data or a statistical strategy that is new or little used. Terms may also define unusual parts of the research design or the phenomenon under study.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Research Method
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">In the concept paper the research method section stops hinting at what will be done and proposes the design that will address the problem identified in the problem statement in the manner described in the purpose statement, answer the research questions, and extend the knowledge of the field explored in the literature review. This section is wholly about the research to be conducted and includes a discussion to confirm why the design presented is the best means of accomplishing the goals identified in the problem and purpose statement. The research method section should include elaboration on why and how the methodology is aligned with the purpose statement and the research questions. The section should extend a discussion supporting the appropriateness of the design from the literature, and include a concise exploration of the nature of the data, how it will be collected, and the procedures that will be followed for its analysis ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Template”, 2010 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">In a quantitative study the operational definition of variables subsection is included in the research method section. This section should identify and then operationally define the constructs or variables that are linked to the problem, purpose, research questions, and hypotheses of the study. The operational description of a variable includes its nature, possible values, and how it will be measured or derived. This description should include a clear explication of the concept and exactly how it is delineated ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Template”, 2010 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The measurement subsection of the research method section is utilized in both qualitative and quantitative studies. For quantitative studies, the variables and constructs were operationally defined in the previous subsection, so this section identifies how the data will be collected, measured, and analyzed. The nature of the variables must be appropriate for the statistical analyses that will be performed. For qualitative studies, the manner of collection or the instrument used is identified, and the concepts must be operationally defined to ensure reliable coding and analysis of the phenomenon under study. The research method section is concluded by a brief summary of what was discussed in the section ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Template”, 2010 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Quantitative Methodology in the Concept Paper
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">In the introduction of the concept paper, background information is presented on what topic is to be covered and why it is of interest. The statement of the problem subsection of the introduction does not directly mention either research methodology or design but is the crucial starting point for both. Without a research worthy problem and a strong literature based problem statement, there is no research to perform. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The first mention of research method in the concept paper template and best practices is in the purpose of the study subsection of the introduction. In the purpose statement both the research method and design are clearly stated. Although I have tentatively chosen a quantitative methodology, there are many potential designs to choose from within that category. In the purpose statement “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">quantitative research variables/constructs are briefly identified (including potential confounding variables, covariates, mediating variables, etc.). Research variables/constructs are identified and cited, if appropriate <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Template, 2010, p. 1 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">). The purpose statement also specifies the “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">population for the study <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Best Practices, 2010, p. 17 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">), approximately how many participants will be needed, “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">the instruments to be used <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Best Practices, 2010, p. 17 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">), where the study will take place, and must be aligned with the problem statement. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The purpose statement is not to state that the research will prove anything. In a quantitative study statistical analysis will be conducted to determine the probability that something is true. Statistical analysis is always conducted within the framework there is a probability of error. In the real world “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">there are many potentially confounding variables in all studies in the social sciences that cannot be controlled for <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Best Practices, 2010, p. 18 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Following the purpose statement in the concept paper of a quantitative study are the research questions and hypotheses. A short paragraph bridging the purpose statement and the research questions and hypotheses should be included at the beginning of the subsection. Northcentral University does not have guidelines regarding the number of research questions, stating that they should (a) “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">be distinct from one another <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Best Practices”, 2010, p. 19, emphasis in original <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">), (b) not be answerable with a “yes” or “no”, (c) “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">meaningful in light of the literature that addresses the research topic <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Best Practices”, 2010, p. 20 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">), (d) look for a difference between constructs, and (e) “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">should emerge logically from the research problem and research purpose statement <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Best Practices”, 2010, p. 20 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The hypotheses subsection requires the pairing of hypotheses. Each research question is matched with both a null hypothesis, stating that any observed or measured differences between groups is because of random error, and an alternate hypothesis, stating that the independent variable had an effect ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">Cozby & Bates, 2012 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">). The null hypothesis is stated first followed by the alternate hypothesis. Each hypothesis must examine a single concept and is measurable, testable, and analyzable. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Neither the definition of key terms nor the brief review of the literature sections directly addresses either research method or design. If there are design terms or statistical analysis that is uncommon they are defined as key terms. The literature review should focus on the topic and the “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">main ideas in the field, describe[ing] areas of controversy, and indicat[ing] areas of incomplete knowledge <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Template”, 2010, p. 2 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">). The literature review is not a place to focus on either research methodology or design. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">In the concept paper “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">a highly detailed research design is not expected <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Template”, 2010, p. 3 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">) but the research methodology and design are introduced, along with means for the collection of data and its analysis. The concept paper best practices document suggests five subheadings for a quantitative study. The research method section should begin with “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">a clear identification of your research method and your research design <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Best Practices”, 2010, p. 28, emphasis in original <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">). This declaration is followed by a discussion of why this method and design is optimal to answer the research questions, and accomplish the purpose of the study. Authorities in the method and design proposed, and in advanced research in general, must be cited to show appropriateness for its use in the study. Alignment with the purpose statement and research questions is demonstrated by explaining how the proposed design fulfills the research purpose, and best answers the research questions. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">After the discussion on the research method and design, a succinct but comprehensive explication regarding how data will be collected, the variables or concepts to be measured, any instruments to be used, and methods of analysis are included. This will include a depiction of how the sample population will be recruited, as well as the results of a power analysis and proposed sample size. Variables or constructs that will be measured and any surveys or instruments that will be used to gather data are introduced at this point, but will be discussed in greater detail later. Finally, the statistical tests that will be conducted to analyze the data should be sufficiently described to demonstrate that the results will allow the supporting or rejecting of the null hypotheses, along with any software applications that will be used to conduct the analysis. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Following the explanation of data collection each “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">construct associated with the proposed topic, problem research question(s), and hypotheses <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Template, 2010, p. 4 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">) are identified and operationally defined. Included in the identification should be the variables type, the values that it will have, and where it will be collected or derived. Concepts need to be distinctly defined in an observable and quantifiable way so that readers of the study will be able to replicate the study using the operational definitions provided. The operational definition should include how the variable will be coded, where it will be collected, and the various measures that will be used to derive it. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The measurement subsection describes and introduces in greater depth the proposed instruments for the collection of data. Information regarding the instrument should include (a) the number of questions, (b) its subscales, (c) response expectations, (d) meaning of scores, (e) “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">its psychometric properties <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Best Practices”, 2010, p. 40 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">), and (f) how the instruments “ <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">reliability and validity [were] confirmed <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">“CP Best Practices”, 2010, p. 40 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">). Included in the measurement subsection should be an explanation of how the data will be collected, and the procedures in place for protecting the data from violations of privacy or confidentiality. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The remaining sections of the concept paper will not have direct references to either research method or design. The references section contains references to articles and other sources that were cited throughout the concept paper. The annotated bibliography contains information that is used in the review of the literature, and concludes the concept paper. =<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Conclusion = <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The purpose of the concept paper is to propose a topic for the conducting of research. The concept paper does not focus on the research method or design, but includes enough information to allow the Graduate School to determine if the study is feasible. The directions in the concept paper template and the concept paper best practices documents identify that depending on the research method, the requirements for the paper change and provide clear directions for creating a pertinent concept paper.


 * = References ||
 * * Cozby, P. C., & Bates, S. C. (2012). //Methods in behavioral research// (11th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw Hill Higher Education.
 * Northcentral University (2010). //Concept paper template//. Prescott Valley, AZ: Author. Retrieved from http://learners.ncu.edu/ncu_diss/default.aspx?attendance=Y
 * Northcentral University (2010). //Best practices for concept paper development//. Prescott Valley, AZ: Author. Retrieved from http://learners.ncu.edu/ncu_diss/default.aspx?attendance=Y ||