Introduction section of research proposal

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Introduction section of research proposal

• Research topic
• Description of the problem
• Literature review (also include theories)
• Rationale of your study
• (gaps in the literature,
• importance of your study)
• Research questions
• Hypotheses

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What is the problem?

• Who is affected?
• How are they affected?
• What is problem related to?
• What causes the problem?...
• Other issues related to problem

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e.g. Smoking ban in restaurants

• Who is affected?
• Patrons of restaurants
• Staff of restaurants
• Owners of restaurants
• Smokers
• Non-smokers
• Those with respiratory problems or
  at-risk of respiratory problems

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How are they affected?

• Health consequences
• short term (respiratory illness, asthma
  episodes, ...)
• long term (cancer, emphysema, ...)
• Comfort
• Enjoyment of restaurant
• Economic effects on patronage

5
What is problem related to?

• Workers rights
• Non-smokers rights
• Smokers rights
• Tourism?
• Efforts to ban smoking from public spaces?

6
What causes the problem?...

• Second hand smoke
• components of smoke carbon monoxide, etc.
• Ventilation systems
• Etc.

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Theory

• A statement of a relationship(s) that cannot be
  directly observed.
• Relationships between facts, clear constructs,

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Uses of theory

• Describes relationships
• To explain data/ our observations
• Predict
• Organizes / Provides a framework to put into
  perspective the knowledge, facts, impressions,
  and suppositions we develop
• Permits us to explain our activity to others
• Helps us to recognize gaps in knowledge.
• Generates new research and knowledge

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Sociocultural Theory to understand body image

• Yet, this perspective doesnt explain...
• a) why some people are more susceptible to media
  messages within a sociocultural context than
  others
• b) why some people seem to be happy with their
  physical packaging even when it deviates from
  cultural ideal
• c) why some are dissatisfied with their bodies
  even when they approximate cultural ideal

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Theory to understand body image

• 1. Sociocultural perspective
• Try to explain these with cognitive approach
  theories.
• 2. Cognitive perspective
• Schema theory
• Self-discrepancy theory
• 3. Combination Rudd and Lennon (1994) model of
  body aesthetics

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• Induction
• Collect and analyze data Then create theory
  after looking at the data
• Deduction
• Select a theory and make hypothesis Then collect
  data to see if it supports the theory or not

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Choosing a research topic

• What is already known about this area?
• What are the unanswered questions in this area?
• Why is your study important?
• Is it interesting to you?
• Is it do-able? Can it be done over the next few
  months?

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Research Question

• A broad question your research tries to answer
• Research questions are How Why What
  questions
• (Avoid yes no questions)
• Ask a question that can be answered
• empirical question rather than metaphysicial one

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Research questions are central

• Your entire research project revolves around the
  research question.
• Your study should be designed to answer the
  question
• (internal validity)

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Research Hypotheses

• A research hypothesis is a prediction statement
  of the outcome of a study
• Educated guess
• Your research tries to find out whether your
  hypothesis is supported or rejected
• A hypothesis is a statement to which you can
  answer with yes or no
• No why how what questions
• Often describe the relationship between DV and IV

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• Research questions
• How are traffic cameras impacting safety?
• How does the public feel the traffic cameras
  affect their driving?
• Hypotheses
• Drivers slam on their brakes when they see a
  speed van on the road.
• The speed cameras reduce the amount of speeding.

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Homework due Jan. 23

• Homework 1 Due Thursday, Jan. 23
• Cozby pp. 19-30, 258-264, 271-276
• Bordens Abbott pp. 80-81, 91-92
• Leedy Ormrod, pp. 70, 74-89
• At least skim through the reading
• Think about topic for group project
• Select group project teams
• Homework 2 References Due Tues.Jan. 28

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Philosophy of science

• What do we know?
• How do we know what we know?

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Approaches to knowledge

• Religious
• Intuitive, new age, metaphysical
• Authority
• Rational
• Scientific (based on empirical data)
• Qualitative
• Constructivist (multiple realities)
• Critical consciousness - Marxist or
  feminist filter (capitalist, sexist, racist
  influences)

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Scientific method

• 1. Observing a phenomenon
• 2. Forming tentative explanations or
  statements of cause and effect
• 3. Further observing or experimenting (or both)
  to rule out alternative explanations
• 4. Refining and retesting the explanations.

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Skeptical?

• Look for scientific evidence
• Show me the data
• Look at the method
• How did they get these data?
• Dont just accept everything said by an authority
• Bumper sticker Question authority
• Critically evaluate what you see, read, or hear
• Think and be cautious about inferences /
  assumptions about underlying causes made from
  observable data

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Scientific explanations

• Empirical
• based on data and observations - evidence of the
  senses, objective and systematic observation
• Testable
• Rational
• Parsimonious
• General
• Tentative

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What is empirical research?

• Based on observations
• Direct observation what you actually
  experience, e.g., Field research
• Indirect observation what you hear from
  people, e.g., Survey research
• May use numerical data (quantitative) or words as
  data (qualitative).