Research Proposal

Create a research proposal that provides a detailed plan for your research study that states your hypothesis, reports on sampling methods, and identifies how the data will be analyzed to answer the research question.

Introduction
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

Competency 1: Explain types of psychological research methods.
Describe the use of a study method.
Describe a sampling method that is appropriate for a study and available resources.
Describe research methods used.
Competency 2: Apply research methods and psychological research findings.
Accurately identify key research concepts in a research project.
Competency 3: Design an ethically appropriate psychological research study utilizing psychological theory and concepts.
Design research with respect to controls for variations in behavior related to individual and sociocultural differences that can influence research outcomes.
Competency 4: Conduct an ethically appropriate psychological research study.
Adopt high-quality measurement strategies that enhance reliability and validity.
Competency 5: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
Incorporate feedback to revise a literature review.
Use APA-style formatting, citations, and references.
Preparation
For this research, you will use the archival data from the GSS Data Explorer website to develop a research research question, develop a hypothesis, and analyze the data to draw conclusions.

Navigate to the GSS website.

NORC at the University of Chicago. (n.d.). GSS data explorer. https://gssdataexplorer.norc.org/
You will complete the following steps in the GSS website. For a step-by-step guide, refer to the GSS Data Explorer Instructions [PDF] or the GSS Data Explorer Instructions video.

Create an account and add your two chosen variables to your cart.
Be sure that those variables are what you selected for your Literature Review.
Create a project, label it 4600_Last name, and save it.
Download the data by exporting it to Microsoft Excel.
Review the data available for each variable.
Once you have chosen your variables, use them for the entire course and use the resources provided to craft your study.

Instructions
In the next assessment, you will start to conduct your research study. We conduct research studies to expand our knowledge on how human behavior in the world is evolving. To conduct an effective study, we need to understand theories of development as they relate to our current environment and society.

The first step, however, is to create a research proposal that provides the detailed plan for your study. Be sure to use the Research Proposal Template [DOCX], as it provides context and wording that you should use to help you clearly explain your main points. By using the template, you will cover all of the points below.

Insert your revised literature review in the Literature Review section in the template.
Operationally define the variables that you are using in your study.
State your hypothesis for your study.
Report on the method you will use to sample your participants.
You may want to look at the GSS website to see how participants were found.
Use your notes from the media piece to guide your sampling method selection.
Explain the method you will use to collect and analyze your data.
You may want to look at the GSS site to see how data was found.
Use your notes from the media piece to guide your sampling method selection.
Choose the measurement that matches your study.
Review the template for suggested language.
Discuss how the measurement increases the reliability and validity of the study.
Explain your procedure based on research design you chose.
Submission Requirements
Submit your proposal as your deliverable for assessment.

Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

Competency 1: Explain types of psychological research methods.
Describe the use of a study method.
Describe a sampling method that is appropriate for a study and available resources.
Describe research methods used.
Competency 2: Apply research methods and psychological research findings.
Accurately identify key research concepts in a research project.
Competency 3: Design an ethically appropriate psychological research study utilizing psychological theory and concepts.
Design research with respect to controls for variations in behavior related to individual and sociocultural differences that can influence research outcomes.
Competency 4: Conduct an ethically appropriate psychological research study.
Adopt high-quality measurement strategies that enhance reliability and validity.
Competency 5: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
Incorporate feedback to revise a literature review.
Use APA-style formatting, citations, and references.