continuing to write research proposal, have given the variablesResearch Proposal (Final Project) Guideline *Excerpts from Baumgartner, T.A. and Hensley, L.D. (2006). Conducting and Reading Research inHealth and Human Performance. New York: McGraw Hill. This is a group project. Students will have to pick a proposed research topic related to this course. It means each group member should put forth their best effort to complete this project together. Pick your proposed research topic carefully and start your literature search as early as possible. Research proposals typically contain extensive literature reviews and offer convincing support of need for the research study being proposed. Generally, a research proposal should contain all the key elements (problems and solutions (IVs), purpose, background, etc) involved in the research process and include sufficient information or explanation for the readers (Assume that the reader does not know your topic at all). All papers should follow by APA style and English grammar standards. The general guideline and key evaluation criteria of the position paper are as follows: 1. Title page 2. Table of Content 3. Headings and subheadings Abstract (75 – 100 words) – Summary of key components Key words (5 terms maximum) 4. Body Section 1: Introduction/Rationale Topic Introduction/Rationale – The following category is not the title of each section. Introductory paragraph – The primary goal of the introductory paragraphs is to catch the attention of the readers. Begin with a capsule statement of what is being proposed, and then proceed with an introduction of the subject. The introduction should be comprehensible to an informed lay person and give enough background to enable the reader to place the particular research problem in a context of common knowledge. Statement of Problems/issues: grasp the background of the debate or issue: Make a brief declarative statement that indicates what research question(s) will be addressed in this study. All of the problem elements, including the variables to be studied, should be expressed in an orderly system of relationships. Research questions must be clear, consistent, and measurable. They guide the research design process eventually (The research design is not required in this course).Identify Independent/Predictor Variables (IVs) and Dependent/Outcome Variables (DVs): Students should be able to identify dependent (outcome: presumed effect) and independent(predictor: presumed cause) variables and include examples for each. – Find relevant theories that support the relationship between IVs and DVs. This will help you improve the quality of research proposal. The theories should be approved from your instructor. Purpose of Study: Clearly state the intent of proposal and how the information will be used. Be sure to indicate why this proposal is important. Indicate “why” the study is being proposed. Spell out the reason(s) or objective(s) for doing the study. Try to answer the question: “what potential impact will the results of the study have on the current body of knowledge?” Caveat: don’t confuse the statement of the problem with the purpose of the study. The statement of the problem tells what is to be done; the purpose tells why. Significance of the Study/Need for the study: Use the literature to elaborate on the purpose of the study, to help show why the study is needed, to explain why it is significant, or to justify its content. The development of this section should try to demonstrate one or more of the following: more knowledge is needed in this area, a knowledge gap exists between the theoretical and practical aspects of the problem, a solution to the problem needs to be explored, and/or current knowledge and/or assumptions related to the problem require validation. Establish or emphasize what is original about the proposed study, what circumstances have changed since related work was done, or what is unique about the proposed study. Section 2: Literature review- supporting the Rationale : ∙ The review of related literature should be a selective, critical summary of recent research on the topic of interest. It may identify gaps or weaknesses in prior studies that can build a case or justify a new investigation. It should follow a logical flow and lead the reader to a clear impression of how the proposed study will build upon what has already been done. Researchers usually organize the literature review in two ways: studies related to the present study in content and/or methodology, and studies classified according to topics. Content literature presents facts, theories, and background kinds of information. Methodology-related studies present information on design, techniques, instrumentation, and analysis. ∙ This chapter should begin with an opening paragraph that relates the literature to the problem and explains how the chapter is organized. ∙ Conclude chapter with a brief summary. (1) Make good use of and synthesize information obtained from literature review.(2) What have previous researchers discovered? (3) Logically discuss different views of the debate/issue with support of literature (citations). Section 3: Method (Optional): – not required for this course This chapter should provide a clear, detailed picture of what is to be done and how it will be accomplished in sufficient detail so that another researcher could replicate the study. The following topics should be described: 3.1. Research Design: Indicate if the research design is descriptive, experimental, prospective, retrospective, longitudinal, or some combination of these traditional designs. 3.2. Subjects: Describe the target population, exactly who will be studied and how they will be selected and/or placed into study groups. 3.3. Intervention: If applicable, describe the treatment or intervention that will be used. How will it differ from the control group? How long will the intervention last? 3.4. Variables: Describe dependent or outcome variables (presumed effect) and independent or predictor variables (presumed cause). 3.5. Sources of Information: Describe the sources of information for the study (medical records, school records, observations, etc.) 3.6. Instrumentation: Describe how each variable will be recorded and measured. Justify the selection of each instrument (are they valid and reliable?). 3.7. Procedures: Describe the procedures for conducting the research. Indicate what will be done, how and when it will be done, and who will be doing it? 3.8. Ethical Considerations: Describe how the confidentiality of students, clients, patients will be maintained throughout the study and after completion of the study. How will informed consent be obtained? 3.9. Data Analysis: Describe the statistical procedures that are required to address research questions. Section 4: Results – Not applicable in this course Section 5: Discussion/ Conclusion 1. Summary of founding – General summary of this research proposal 2. Worthiness Make convincing arguments to defend your position for this proposal (is it worth it to conduct this research?) 3. Limitations/Delimitations of the proposal are identified including factors.Delimitations – In research, this refers to the scope of the study. Describe the boundaries of the study that you determine. Limitations – In research, this refers to possible weaknesses of the study. Describe conditions beyond your control. 4. Future implication – Does this proposal address the future implication related to limitations? 5. Appendix References Provide reference list alphabetically by author’s last name, in APA format. Every reference cited in the body of the text should be included in the reference list. I strongly recommend students to use academic resources such as academic journal articles (such as SSCI), books, trusted resources, and so on. Writing and Professional Appearance: includes appropriate voice, use of language, technical terminology, grammar, tense, punctuation, and general conventions of standard written English. Plagiarism and Cheating: At no times is it acceptable to copy someone else’s work as your own. Demonstrate your skill and knowledge to the best of your own ability. Additionally, when completing assignments for this class it is totally unacceptable to copy from the internet or any printed resource without appropriate citations. I want to know what the answer is in YOUR WORDS. The purpose of any assignment and exam is to measure your comprehension, not your ability to copy (legally this is called plagiarism and a violation of the student code). All papers will be reviewed utilizing Turn-it In/SafeAssign software to ensure the authorship of the work is original to the student. Do not jeopardize my respect for you by plagiarizing or copying someone’s responses either on a written assignment, quiz or final exam. Violations of University policy governing plagiarism or cheating will automatically result in FAILURE of the course. Standards for Student Conduct are available in the University website (www.csun.edu/a&r/soc/studentconduct.html). CSUN Policy and Plagiarism : http://www.csun.edu/science/help/help_docs/plagiarism.html