Chapter 3: Research Method Begin writing here… Checklist: ☐ Begin with an introduction and restatement of the problem and purpose sentences verbatim. ☐ Provide a brief overview of the contents of this chapter, including a statement that identifies the research methodology and design. Research Methodology and Design Begin writing here… Checklist: ☐ Describe the research methodology and design. Elaborate upon their appropriateness in relation to the study problem, purpose, and research questions. ☐ Identify alternative methodologies and designs and indicate why they were determined to be less appropriate than the ones selected. Do not simply list and describe research methodologies and designs in general. Population and Sample Begin writing here… Checklist: ☐ Describe the population, including the estimated size and relevant characteristics. ☐ Explain why the population is appropriate, given the study problem, purpose, and research questions. ☐ Describe the sample that will be (proposal) or was (manusсrіpt) obtained. ☐ Explain why the sample is appropriate, given the study problem, purpose, and research questions. ☐ Explain the type of sampling used and why it is appropriate for the dissertation proposal methodology and design. For qualitative studies, evidence must be presented that saturation will be (proposal) or was (manusсrіpt) reached. For quantitative studies, a power analysis must be reported to include the parameters (e.g., effect size, alpha, beta, and number of groups) included, and evidence must be presented that the minimum required sample size will be (proposal) or was (manusсrіpt) reached. ☐ Describe how the participants will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) recruited (e.g., email lists from professional organizations, flyers) and/or the data will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) obtained (e.g., archived data, public records) with sufficient detail so the study could be replicated. Materials or Instrumentation Begin writing here… Checklist: ☐ Describe the instruments (e.g., tests, questionnaires, observation protocols) that will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) used, including information on their origin and evidence of their reliability and validity. OR as applicable, describe the materials to be used (e.g., lesson plans for interventions, webinars, or archived data, etc.). ☐ Describe in detail any field testing or pilot testing of instruments to include their results and any subsequent modifications. ☐ If instruments or materials are used that were developed by another researcher, include evidence in the appendix that permission was granted to use the instrument(s) and/or material(s) and refer to that fact and the appendix in this section. Operational Definitions of Variables Begin writing here… XXX Text… Checklist: ☐ For quantitative and mixed methods studies, identify how each variable will be (proposal) or was (manusсrіpt) used in the study. Use terminology appropriate for the selected statistical test (e.g., independent/dependent, predictor/criterion, mediator, moderator). ☐ Base the operational definitions on published research and valid and reliable instruments. ☐ Identify the specific instrument that will be (proposal) or was (manusсrіpt) used to measure each variable. ☐ Describe the level of measurement of each variable (e.g., nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio), potential scores for each variable (e.g., the range [0–100] or levels [low, medium, high]), and data sources. If appropriate, identify what specific scores (e.g., subscale scores, total scores) will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) included in the analysis and how they will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) derived (e.g., calculating the sum, difference, average). Study Procedures Begin writing here… Checklist: ☐ Describe the exact steps that will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) followed to collect the data, addressing what data as well as how, when, from where, and from whom those data will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) collected in enough detail the study can be replicated. Data Analysis Begin writing here… Checklist: ☐ Describe the strategies that will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) used to code and/or analyze the data, and any software that will be (proposal) or was (manusсrіpt) used. ☐ Ensure the data that will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) analyzed can be used to answer the research questions and/or test the hypotheses with the ultimate goal of addressing the identified problem. ☐ Use proper terminology in association with each design/analysis (e.g., independent variable and dependent variable for an experimental design, predictor and criterion variables for regression). ☐ For quantitative studies, describe the analysis that will be (proposal) or was (manusсrіpt) used to test each hypothesis. Provide evidence the statistical test chosen is appropriate to test the hypotheses and the data meet the assumptions of the statistical tests. ☐ For qualitative studies, describe how the data will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) processed and analyzed, including any triangulation efforts. Explain the role of the researcher. ☐ For mixed methods studies, include all of the above. Assumptions Begin writing here… Checklist: ☐ Discuss the assumptions along with the corresponding rationale underlying them. Limitations Begin writing here… Checklist: ☐ Describe the study limitations. ☐ Discuss the measures taken to mitigate these limitations. Delimitations Begin writing here… Checklist: ☐ Describe the study delimitations along with the corresponding rationale underlying them. An example of delimitations are the conditions and parameters set intentionally by the researcher or by selection of the population and sample. ☐ Explain how these research decisions relate to the existing literature and theoretical/conceptual framework, problem statement, purpose statement, and research questions. Ethical Assurances Begin writing here… Checklist: ☐ Confirm in a statement the study will (proposal) or did (manusсrіpt) receive approval from Northcentral University′s Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to data collection. ☐ If the risk to participants is greater than minimal, discuss the relevant ethical issues and how they will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) addressed. ☐ Describe how confidentiality or anonymity will be (proposal) or was (manusсrіpt) achieved. ☐ Identify how the data will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) securely stored in accordance with IRB requirements. ☐ Describe the role of the researcher in the study. Discuss relevant issues, including biases as well as personal and professional experiences with the topic, problem, or context. Present the strategies that will be (proposal) or were (manusсrіpt) used to prevent these biases and experiences from influencing the analysis or findings. ☐ In the dissertation manusсrіpt only, include the IRB approval letter in an appendix. Summary Begin writing here… Checklist: ☐ Summarize the key points presented in the chapter. ☐ Logically lead the reader to the next chapter on the findings of the study.
