PUBH 5379 – Research Methods

Writing Exercise #2 Instructions

Purpose:design a quantitative research study to fill a gap within your topic area. This corresponds to the following sections in the final IRB proposal.

2.0 Purpose Statement

3.0 Research Questions/Hypotheses

4.0 Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria & Recruitment Protocol

5.0 Methods

6.0 Risks and Benefits

Instructions: Use the template, provided below, to format/organize this assignment. Format is based on the Baylor University IRB proposal process: single spaced, size 12 font, 1-inch margins. Include APA citations – failure to include citations is plagiarism because of failure to give credit, where credit is due.Total maximum length = 2.5 pages, single spaced, not including references.

1. Consider your research topic/problem and conceptualize a Quantitative(QUANT) study that willfill a gap within the literature.
   1. If your final IRB proposal project uses a mixed methods (MIXED) study, focus this assignment ONLY on the QUANT component of the study.
   1. If your final IRB proposal project uses a qualitative (QUAL) study, think of a QUANT study that could address another literature gap in your research area.

• For Sections 2.0 and 3.0: state your QUANT purpose and research question(s).(recommended length: ½ page, single spaced)
  • These can be similar to or different from what you provided in writing assignment #1, as your research goals may have evolved as you move through the course.
  • Make sure the purpose statement follows the guidelines in the textbook, and includes:
    • the study design, if you have not done so in the purpose statement.
    • the variables in your study (e.g., independent, dependent, and if applicable, moderators, mediators and confounders).

• For Sections 4.0 and 5.0: write a detailed and thorough “plan of action” for the procedures to be used in your QUANT study by specifying the following:(recommended length: 1.5 pages, single-spaced)
  • Briefly describe procedures for ALL of the following:
    • participant selection and recruitment (inclusion, exclusion, recruitment activities),
    • the sampling method and sample size, making sure to describe the population, source, and sample. Justify how you decided on this sample size.
    • data collection,
    • dataanalysis,
    • interpretation, and
    • name 4 threats to validity or potential sources of bias that could negatively impact your study and what you will do to reduce the impact of these threats. Threats/biases shouldcorrespond with your study design. Observational designs should focus onpotential sources of bias (epi class); RCTs should focus on potential threats to validity

2.0 Purpose Statement

3.0. Research Questions/Hypotheses

4.0 Participant Selection & Recruitment

4.1 Inclusion Criteria

4.2 Exclusion Criteria

4.3 Recruitment Methods/Protocol

5.0 Research Design & Methods

(similar to section 4.0, you should use sub-headers to organize your work)

6.0 Risks & Benefits

7.0 References