1. Assignment 2: Research Methods paper
In this course you have explored Quantitative, Qualitative and
Mixed Method approaches to research. Consider the research
question you wrote in Module 1. Now that you have explored
each type of methodology, decide which methodology would
best answer your question and use this for your final mini-
methods paper.
Based on the work you have previously prepared and the
feedback you have received from your instructor and your peers,
prepare the mini-methods section (including all appendices,
such as informed consent, copy of instruments, interview
protocol, etc.).
The final paper should not exceed 15 pages,
not
including the appendices.
This paper should primarily consist of the work that you
developed in Modules 2-5 and modified based on feedback from
your instructor and your classmates. For the informed consent,
and letters of permission, please refer to the University IRB
handbook or a dissertation example for templates. If something
that should be included is missing (for example, the measure
you will be using) place a page with the title or topic of the
measure and a few sentences about what will be measured.
The paper must include the following components. Use proper
headings and Subheadings, as per the current edition of APA
guidelines.
1). Introduction, Problem Statement, Purpose, Research
Questions and Literature Review including:
An introduction to the research topic including the background
of your topic.
A section about the significance of your topic and why it is
important.

2. The purpose of your study, problem statement and your research
questions and/or hypotheses.
Cite at least 5 references including a minimum of 3 empirical
studies for your literature review. Use the literature list you
presented in Module 2 Assignment 1, however elaborate on
these to present in paragraph form. These paragraphs will be a
bit more brief than what you would include in your dissertation
proposal, however you should include enough information so
they lead up to a logical research question (yours).
2). Methods including:
Design: A description of the design of your study covering each
relevant aspect included in Modules 3-7.
If you adopt a quantitative design, clearly identify the type of
design (e.g., quasi-experimental); the primary constructs; and
hypotheses to be tested. Justify why you chose this design.
If you adopt a qualitative design, clearly identify the approach;
(ethnographical, phenomenological, case study, etc.) primary
phenomena; and primary research question(s). Justify why you
chose this design.
A mixed methods design must address both of the above.
A description of your proposed study’s accessible population;
sampling strategy; and the participants including the number,
demographic information, setting, and other relevant
information. Be sure this is consistent with the type of design.
If you adopt the quantitative method, include a description of
your intended instruments including sample questions,
reliability measures, and types of measurement.
If you adopt a qualitative method, describe your data collection
method (interview, observation, document review, focus group,
etc.).
If you plan to conduct interviews, provide a list of sample
interview questions including a rational for each question as to
what information the response will provide towards answering
your research question.
If you plan to conduct an observation, describe who and how
you will observe.

3. A description of your data collection strategies and procedures
for securing informed consent and collecting data.
Address generalizability.
3). Limitations (1–2 pages) in which you discuss the limitations
of your study in terms of participants, design, data collection,
etc. This is a new contribution to your methods. Please refer to
your textbook for examples of limitations.
For Quantitative studies, limitations should be discussed in
terms of threats to internal and external validity.
For Qualitative studies, limitations should be discussed in terms
of rigor, credibility and transferability.
4). References—should be included in accordance with APA
style.
5). Appendices including data collection instruments when
possible, interview protocols, recruiting, or advertising
documents, informed consent forms, etc. Use your sample
dissertations and Argosy dissertation guide to help you in
writing your consent forms. Please note you should
not
have any formal permissions at this point, but
should
include a page with a description of what
will
be included for the proposal (ie permission from schools etc). If
measures are not yet available provide a description of potential
measures.
All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules
for attributing sources.