For this assignment, you will conduct a review of the existing literature and summarize the findings. You will evaluate a minimum of six scholarly, peer-reviewed (English language) research articles and identify for all six what has already been done in this area, what gaps exist in the current literature, any ethical considerations for conducting research in this area, and any issues of validity or reliability. This assignment should synthesize the current literature and then build a foundation for your own, quantitative, research proposal. You will describe your research question, independent and dependent variables, hypothesis and prediction, and provide a rationale for your proposal idea.
Note: each paragraph must be 5-8 sentences long. The first sentence of each paragraph will be an opening sentence (i.e., topic sentence). This sentence lets the reader know the main purpose of the paragraph. The main and supporting points of your paragraph will be made in the next several sentences (i.e., supporting sentences). Your concluding sentence will tie together all the paragraph’s points.
The following areas should be included:
The following areas are required. It is also required that you use these very headings in your paper (i.e.,“Problem Statement”, “Literature Review”, et cetera): (please see the rubric below these instructions for more details on the required elements):
Problem Statement: Describe your general topic, specific problem, and its relevance to real-world issues. This section provides general background for your topic and highlights the need for further experimentation. Minimum of 2 Paragraphs
Literature Review: Summarize the existing literature and its findings. It provides the background and context for the proposed research study and alerts the reader to the key concepts in the research area. The primary goal of a critical literature review is to establish the groundwork necessary to justify pursuing a research question. Think of it as telling the reader a story about your topic, highlighting what has come previously in the research literature in a logical fashion, and smoothly connecting to your research proposal. Remember, there must be a logical connection between the critical literature review and your proposed research question. The literature review is also used to point out methodological and conceptual issues. You are to concisely describe the type of research designs, the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches, and the appropriateness of the statistical analyses used to address the reviewed articles’ research questions. Your review should also discuss: (a) study design, (b) purpose, (c) sample size and characteristics, (d) key findings/arguments and important interpretations, and (e) any noted methodological strengths or weaknesses. 5-6 paragraphs
Gaps in the Literature: Next, identify what remains unknown in your topic that provides the justification/rationale for your own study. This section includes a detailed discussion of the purpose for your proposed study. Begin this section with the strengths of the research you have reviewed. Then, discuss the weaknesses and the gap in the research that you are going to address via your proposed study. This gap should clearly follow from the research reviewed and should be related to the methodological weaknesses you have identified. Minimum of 1 Paragraph
Research Question, Variables, and Hypotheses: In the previous sections you built a strong foundation for what has previously been studied and what gaps exist. In this section, you will present the research question you are proposing to be studied. The research question must incorporate the Independent Variable and Dependent Variable (it may also indicate the target population, if unique). Next, state your null hypothesis, research/alternative hypothesis, and your specific prediction. Clearly state whether you would employ a correlational, quasi-experimental, or experimental design. Lastly, describe the IV and DV you are proposing to be used. 1-2 Paragraphs
Your paper is to be formatted using APA 7th edition guidelines and include a title page. It is to be a minimum of five and a maximum of nine pages (not including the title page and references) in length. Note that if it is not double-spaced, and/or its font and/or margins are not in accordance with APA requirements, your CA/Instructor will ‘convert’ it so that it is, and then assess your paper’s length and points will be deducted for APA).