Description
Research Questions/Hypotheses
• State the research question/hypothesis you want to answer in your study. This is still a “tree trunk” and should be used to guide your search for articles. You will need to present a “toothpick” question at the end of this paper.
• The research question should build upon your research review and may have changed slightly from the one you developed in your Problem Statement.
10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLiterature Review
• Review minimum 6 articles from peer-reviewed, scholarly journals. Use the most current literatures and research articles (If possible, use articles published during the last five years. However, if an article is significantly important in your topic area, you can cite it regardless of publication year).
• Keep in mind these articles are meant to represent what the overall literature says about your research topic. You can refer to them as “previous studies show..,” “the literature reflects…”, etc.
• Well organized to show a logical sequence to explaining the existing literature and research about your topic area. Do NOT describe each article one-by-one. Identify the core themes addressed in the literature and include the articles to support your summary.
25.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSampling
• Review and the sampling methods used in prior studies that focus on your research question. What types of sampling? How are these methods used to gain a sample from the population?
• Includes a summary of the sampling methods used across all six of your articles. Rather than describing each article individually, articles are cited as examples to support each observation.
• Consider why these sampling methods were used and possible reasons for using these over others. Include a quick summary statement of strengths and weaknesses.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMeasurement
• Review the measurements used in these studies. How have studies conceptualized and gained information on the ideas that are central to your research question?
• Includes a summary of the measurement methods used across all six of your articles. Rather than describing each article individually, articles are cited as examples to support each observation.
• Consider why these measurements were used and possible reasons for using these over others. Include a quick summary statement of strengths and weaknesses.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDesign
• Review the designs used in these studies. What type of research (exploratory, explanatory, evaluative) are they? Make sure to summarize, rather than describing each article individually.
• What types of designs were used in prior studies? (experimental, quasi-experimental, survey, A-B-A-B, single case design, survey, pre/post-test, mixed-methods, etc.)?
• Consider why these types of research and designs were used and possible reasons for using these over others. Include a quick summary statement of strengths and weaknesses.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusion
• Point out conflicts or consensus in the literature
• Conclusions from literature are used to inform and add detail to the research question
• Significance of the study: Address how your research will build upon prior work and how your research will differ from prior research.
30.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOverall Quality
• APA style throughout the paper (be particularly careful with proper citations, use of third-person, and following APA format for pages)
• Organization of paper (structure is easy to follow and follows the rubric)
• Clarity of writing and statements (concise, specific, direct, and objective, avoiding biased statements)
