PSY 326 WEEK 5 ASSIGNMENT RESEARCH FINAL PAPER

PSY 326 WEEK 5 ASSIGNMENT RESEARCH FINAL PAPER | Ashford University 

PSY 326 WEEK 5 ASSIGNMENT RESEARCH FINAL PAPER

The goal of the Research Paper is to assess the learning of the student relative to the development of a research article critique while incorporating concepts learned throughout the course to identify appropriate components of the research design.
Research Paper Learning Outcomes
Following the completion of the Research Paper the learner will be able to:
Utilize research protocols in defining, researching, analyzing and synthesizing appropriate scholarly research within the topic/issue selected.·
Demonstrate critical thinking skills in the implementation of the research activity as evidenced through the application of the research process using the scientific method identified in this guide.·
Demonstrate grammatically appropriate writing skills as evidenced in the quality of the written report. The American Psychological Association Style Format will be used in this paper.·
Demons·trate analytical, synthesis and evaluative qualities as evidenced in the selection of the reference resources, development of the paper, succinct and logical organization of the information.
Demonstrate research expertise in locating, identifying, selecting and application of literature resources within the context of the paper and the oral presentation.·
Evaluate professional/academic literature in specific fields of study.·
Research Paper Description
This Research paper is a formal APA formatted Research Article Critique in which the learner selects either a qualitative or quantitative research study of interest and conducts a thorough critique and incorporates the components listed below in the critique.
Scholarly journals, books and periodicals are to be used for literature sources. For example: Time magazine is not a scholarly journal. If a web source is used it must be data based, be authored and identified as being sponsored by a scholarly organization.
Components of the Critique
The learner may utilize the sub-questions as a guide to what content needs to be addressed within each component.
Research Problems, Research Questions, and Hypotheses
What is the research problem? Has the researcher justified the scope of the problem?·
What contributions will be presented from the data of the research?·
Is the research question, purpose, or hypothesis communicated clearly and concisely?·
Are hypotheses directional or non-directional? Is there a rationale for the manner in which they were stated?·
Are hypotheses stated as research hypotheses or null hypotheses?·
Strengths and Limitations of the study
Give specific examples of the study’s strengths and limitations. Avoid vague generalizations of praise and fault finding.·
Try to justify your criticisms.·
Suggest realistic alternatives that the researcher (or future researchers) might want to consider.·
Evaluate aspects of the study – its substantive, methodologic, ethical, and presentational dimensions.·
Are the interpretations consistent with the results·
What types of evidence in support of the interpretation does the researcher offer?·
Are generalizations made that are not warranted on the basis of the sample used?·
Does the researcher offer implications of the research for practical purposes?·
The Ethical Aspects of a Study
Was there deception presented in the study?·
What safeguard steps were taken for the participants?·
Was there an approval process by an Institutional Review Board or similar ethics review committee?·
Was any type of coercion or undue influence used in recruiting participants?·
If your Study is a Quantitative Study, consider the following:
Was the study longitudinal or cross-sectional? Was the number of points of data collection appropriate, given the research question?·
What type of comparisons were presented in the study (e.g., was the study design within-subjects or between-subjects)?·
Was the methodology justifiable?·
To what extent is the study externally valid?·
Were limitations of the study acknowledged·