write a proposal for new research (e.g., a conceptual replication of existing research, NOT a direct replication) on memory or memory processes, with topics including both topics we have covered in class and topics we have not ( e.g., is discussed in the textbook by Baddeley et al. (2015). If you choose to do a conceptual replication, it should involve some significant change that helps answer a new question or better answer the question that sets the original study. Changing the number of subjects (more/less) or adding a minor hypothesis (e.g., gender differences) will not be considered a sufficient change to the original study and it will be considered close/literal replication and accordingly the grade will reflect this. The format of the assignment is a research proposal, which is derived from a semi-systematic literature review. The assignment does NOT involve conducting the research, only a research plan.
Step 1 Writing a semi-systematic literature review
Together you will write a literature review on your chosen topic and based on the articles you have selected. Please describe what you think is relevant to your research. There is no need to detail all the articles, but concentrate on what is relevant to your research. Give enough information and context for your research, but don’t worry about providing all the details in all the articles. This would require you to critically evaluate what is most relevant.
– To be included in the mini-systematic review, an article must meet the following criteria:
– To be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
– To be published in 2024, 2023, 2022, or 2021.
– To be related to the topic
– To report data/results from an originally conducted study (i.e., not reported elsewhere, not a re-analysis of old data previously collected)
– Not a theory paper, commentary, or “viewpoint” (ie, no data)
– Not a review article or meta-analysis (i.e., discusses or combines previous data)
– Articles classified as “online first” are OK (i.e., articles that are new and have not yet appeared in any issue of the journal).
How to structure the Research Design Paper
1. Introduction – theoretical framework and objectives of the experiment. Here you will include the mini-systematic review of the articles your group has read. Exchange your articles so that all group members can read all the articles. You can also additionally include material from the lectures – especially if they are articles or chapters from handbooks (e.g., Handbook), through which you introduce theory into the topic. Note that the introduction should start more generally and gradually narrow down to the research question.
2. Hypotheses – you can have more than one hypothesis. But, keep in mind that each hypothesis must follow logically from the literature review done and be supported by the theoretical review you have conducted.
3. Method
Experimental design – withi-subjects, between group, mixed, etc.manipulation and levels of the independent variable; measurement of the dependent variable. It must be not only correlational. For this assignment, you are planning an experiment. There may be quasi-experimental elements (e.g., gender or age difference), but again, these expected differences must be theoretically justified.
Stimulus material – example of the stimulus material. Consider specific examples.
Apparatus – will you be measuring eye movements? A recording of electrical brain activity? Other neuroimaging techniques? Are you keeping track of time? Accuracy of answers? How? In general, if you are going to use equipment, you should describe what and how you will use it.
Procedure – what will you do with the subjects? Describe in detail everything they will do from the time the study begins until the end of the session (the last session if there is more than one).
Subjects – who are participants? At what age, what characteristics do they have (gender, ethnicity, profession). How will you attract them to the study? How will you compensate them for participating (credits, money)? Consider ethical considerations as well
4. Expected results – describe the expected results. Do they support the hypothesis? If not – what possible explanations could there be? Graph the expected results (you can use excel or Google Sheets or another similar program for this purpose). Again, your expectations should be supported by theory and/or data from previous research and tailored to the specifics of your research. You can also describe how you will analyze the data. What analytics will you use? How will you prepare the data for analysis (eg, will you calculate a mean or percentage, will you delete particiapnts’ data by a criterion to remove outliers from the data, etc.?).
5. Discussion – the conclusions of your research. Even if you do not conduct it, describe what we will learn about the problem you are investigating from your research, how will scientific knowledge be enriched?
Language of the research proposal should be professional but not extremely difficult or unqiue vocaublary.
