Introduction section of research proposal

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

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

8. 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

9. Sociocultural Theory to understand body image • Yet, this perspective doesn’t 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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?

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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

18. Philosophy of science • What do we know? • How do we know what we know?

19. 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)

20. 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.

21. Skeptical? • Look for scientific evidence – • Show me the data • Look at the method • How did they get these data? • Don’t 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

22. “Scientific” explanations • Empirical • based on data and observations - evidence of the senses, objective and systematic observation • Testable • Rational • Parsimonious • General • Tentative

23. 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).