C.3, Research Methods: The heart of the paper

Chapter 3 is the most important part of your proposal; it will detail what you are actually doing in the study. Let's start again by seeing what is in the template and checklist, note that each of the research methods has a different set of requirements.  

I suggest beginning your draft by writing down each of the requirements for your study: 

Qualitative

Introduction, Research Design and Rationale, Role of the Researcher, Methodology, Instrumentation, Data Analysis Plan, Issues of Trustworthiness, Ethical Procedures, Summary 

Quantitative

Introduction, Research Design and Rationale, Methodology, Instrumentation, Threats to Validity, Ethical Procedures, Summary 

Mixed Methods

Introduction, Research Design and Rationale, Role of the Researcher, Methodology, Instrumentation, Data Analysis Plan (for both quantitative and qualitative), Threats to Validity, Issues of Trustworthiness, Ethical Procedures, Summary 

There are many resources for these sections in the writing center and research center; I am going to concentrate on the ones that lead to the most issues for students: Methodology and Ethics. Naturally, every study is very different, but a few general comments can be made.  

Remember that your Methodology section should be written in enough detail that someone could replicate your study exactly based on your description. Some things to consider, how many people will participate? You need a rationale for the number, whether it is from a power calculation for quantitative studies (Google "power analysis calculator" for info) or convention for qualitative ones (cite your sources). 

How will you recruit participants? You want to use flyers? Where will you post them? You will need to include the flyer in the appendix. You want to recruit from an online support group? Which ones? What will you say about the study? Include that info in the appendix. You will need written permission from any groups that agree to help you, those letters will go in the appendix. 

How will the participants interact with you? An online survey? Where will it be posted? How will they access it? In person interview? Where will it be done? How long will it take? You will need to include any surveys and interview questions in the appendix. 

All participants will be required to sign a consent form, and anyone under 18 needs an assent form (parents sign the consent form). Any forms that the participant will see need to be in the appendix. 

There are many possible ethical issues; one of the most common scenarios is when you want to use people at your workplace. There are many concerns with this, read the information sheets on the IRB website. Similarly, if you would like to recruit vulnerable populations (some examples, children, elderly, ill people, prisoners, military), read the information sheets on the IRB website, and if you think your population fits these cases, send the IRB an email and talk to them (IRB@waldenu.edu). The IRB will help you work through issues. 

One final resource I want to mention, if you are having a difficult time working out issues with your methods or your analyses sections, Walden has methodological and statistical consultants. Here is the tricky part- students are not allowed to contact them directly, however, your chair or methodologist can contact them on your behalf. They are very knowledgeable and can help resolve those tricky issues. 

Next time we will take a look at the care & feeding of committee members.