The aim of this assignment is to formulate a testable hypothesis and design an
experiment study to test it. Survey and other designs are not acceptable.
The written report on your original design must include the following sections:
(1) Introduction: A clear statement of your research problem (no more than 1 page)
(10%)
(2) Literature Review: Minimum five (5) APA (American Psychological Association)
style in-text citations and references. List your references on a separate
references page (10%)
(3) Methods: Minimum two full pages. (50%)
(4) Discussion (Minimum one full page) (25%)
(5) References (5%)
In the section of Methods, state your hypothesis clearly, and show how they
relate to previous research in the area. A hypothesis is often expressed in the form of
an “if-then” statement. The Methods Section includes the following requirements.
a. A hypothesis
b. Independent variable
c. Dependent variable
d. Operational definitions: Explain how the variables are operationalized and measured?
e. Target population and subjects: What is your target population? Explain why they
would aid your proposed study.
f. Sample and sample size: How many subjects do you plan to include in the
sample? Anything special about the sample?
g. Sampling procedure: Random selection, matching, etc.? You must describe your
sampling procedure.
h. The unit of analysis.
i. Treatment and control group: How do you create them? Are they equivalent?
j. Pre-test: How and what do you pre-test?
k. Treatment: How do you administer or manipulate your treatment?
l. Duration of your study: The length of your study?
m. Post-test: How and what do you post-test?
n. Without data, discuss the three possible outcomes of your proposed study.
Which of these outcomes will support your hypothesis.
.
In Discussion, you should discuss threats to validity (internal and external) of
your design. You ought to ask yourself questions such as, “In what ways could the
design be faulted?” and “What would I do to deal with this problem?” Last but not least, you want to address the potential legal and ethical concerns
your research design may bring about.
Having trouble formulating a hypothesis?
Research Topic: The Effectiveness of Domestic Violence Courts
The state of New York enacted Domestic Violence courts a little over 25 years
ago. Information on these courts can be found at the following web page:
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/ofpa/domviolcrtfactsheet.htm
The goals of the domestic violence courts include swift, certain, and consistent
responses to domestic violence; victim safety and access to court case information;
social services; housing and counseling; and intensive monitoring to ensure offender
compliance to orders of protection. The state of New York has asked for an
assessment of these goals.
Design a research project in the format of a traditional academic proposal to
evaluate one of the goals of domestic violence courts. Make clear the problem, your
hypothesis, measures for the dependent and independent variables, where / how you
would collect data, the research design you select (e.g., quasi-experimental, or
experimental), the procedure by which you would sample information or otherwise
collect your data.
Be careful to define pivotal concepts that some readers might find ambiguous
and specify the unit of analysis in your study. Design your study to be as strong as
possible in terms of internal and external validities and tell why you believe your results
would be valid in terms of each of these two notions.
Discuss ethical and legal
concerns of your design and the limitations of your design in terms of internal and
external validities.
Mechanics:
1. Double space.
Use Font size 12.
2. Clearly label each section.
