Proposal Research Question and Operational Definitions
PSYC 3384, Summer 2017 Proposal Research Question and Operational Definitions DUE: Sunday, June 25, 11:59pm on Blackboard 15 points ASSIGNMENT:
For this assignment, you are required to start thinking more deeply about what question your research is intended to answer, as well as how you plan to operationally define your variables. A research question is intended to act as a guide for your study. Typically, you will be able to more clearly define your variables once you know what question you are aiming to answer. Once you have your question, it is more apparent how you need to define your variables and what you will measure. You may include a literature APA citation or reference, as needed.
Review the sample assignment on the next page to get a better idea of how to formulate your own research. The example uses the experimental method, so it refers to independent and dependent variables.
If you have trouble defining the research question and/or variables, email me as soon as possible. You may send me a draft to review no later than 24 hours before the due date. I can then provide feedback for the work that you submit with enough time for you to edit. To get full credit on this assignment, you must meet the following criteria in your document: a. Name, PSYC 3384, and date on the title page.
b. Provide your Research Question(s).
What is (are) the question(s) that your study will address and answer?
HINT: The research question should include your variables. c. List the variables that you are using in your study and label each variable with what type of variable it is (e.g., independent variables, dependent variables). d. For each variable that you listed in “c,” explain how it will be operationally defined in your study. For each variable, it helps to include an explanation of the method by which it will be manipulated, shown to participants, or measured. HINT: The answer depends on which type of variable you are describing. e. Formatting: Title page, 1” Margins, Times New Roman, Double-spaced, APA format. PSYC 3384, Summer 2017 SAMPLE RESEARCH QUESTION AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS The topic for my proposal is addressing prejudice towards immigrants. All types of immigrants come into the U.S. every year, but they might be treated differently based on physical characteristics or nationality. My research question is, “To what extent does physical appearance and the nationality of immigrants coming into the United States affect the amount of discrimination expressed by Americans.” In my proposal, I have three variables: 1. Physical appearance, 2. Nationality, and 3.Degree of discrimination. All participants in my study will see a picture of an immigrant that is entering the U.S. The picture will vary based on physical appearance and nationality (IVs).
Physical appearance in my study is operationally defined as light or dark skin color. I have two independent variables (IVs). One of my IVs is skin color. The skin color of the immigrant skin will be either light or dark. The second IV is nationality. Nationality of the immigrant in the picture will be defined by what country the immigrant is from: Mexico or Canada. After the participants see the picture of the immigrant, I will measure the amount of discrimination they express towards the immigrant in the picture. The amount of discrimination will be defined by their answer (on a scale of 1 to 7) to the following question: “Should this immigrant be allowed to stay in the U.S.?” Notice the specific level of language that I use in my question. I specify my variables:
Immigrant Physical Appearance, Immigrant Nationality, and Amount of Discrimination Expressed. When I define my variables, I had to keep in mind what method I would be using to present these variables to the participants. I had to consider what would be feasible to measure, as well.
For “Physical Appearance,” I decided that skin color would be an easy way to portray an immigrant’s physical appearance in a picture. Because participants will see a LIGHT SKIN COLOR or a DARK SKIN COLOR, I knew this was going to be one of my independent variables. PSYC 3384, Summer 2017 For “Nationality,” I decided that I needed to compare immigrants from two different countries. I chose Mexico and Canada out of all the possible countries that could have been used. This is another independent variable because it is manipulated (i.e., some participants see an immigrant from Mexico and some see an immigrant from Canada).
For “Discrimination,” I knew that this was my dependent variable because this is the variable that would be affected by my other two independent variables. I needed to define how to I would measure or assess discrimination. I chose a self-report measure of asking each participant whether the immigrant should be allowed in the U.S. or not. LOOKING AHEAD: My hypothesis would state: Physical appearance and nationality of the immigrant will impact the level of discrimination. For instance, when the immigrant has dark skin and is from Mexico, the participants will discriminate against the immigrant to a greater degree than the other combinations of skin color and nationality. (Then I would then analyze this data using an ANOVA.)