The Concept PaperThe Concept Paper

Overview

The concept paper:• Provides the foundation for the applied

dissertation• Is a brief overview of the research study• Is approximately 10 to 12 pages in length

(excluding references and title page)• Must be approved by both committee chair• Must be approved by both committee chair

and member before beginning the proposal

Considerations in Selecting a Considerations in Selecting a Topic

• Personal interest / Passion• Importance / Contribution to the field• N / R l• Newness / Relevance• Feasibility

• Tradeoff between rigor and practicalityTradeoff between rigor and practicality• Time constraints• Ethical constraints• O i ti l t• Organizational support• Economic factors• Availability of Subjects

Sources of Research TopicsSources of Research Topics

• PsychInfo, ERIC• Peer-reviewed journals in your field• Personal experiences• Work setting experiences• Existing literature

• “Recommendations for future research…”

Refining Your TopicRefining Your Topic

Refinement needed for effective and efficient research• Narrow your topic• Identify a theoretical framework• Specifically and unambiguously define terms• State research questions and hypotheses

Refining Your Topic (cont’d)Refining Your Topic (cont d)

A literature review will help you• See if your idea has been tried• Include all relevant constructs• Select instruments• Anticipate common problems

Components of a Concept Paper

Title pageIntroductionStatement of the Problem and PurposeStatement of the Problem and PurposeBackground and Significance of the ProblemPreliminary Literature ReviewInitial Research Question(s)Brief Description of Methodology and Research DesignDesign Anticipated OutcomesTimelineReferences*Use Appropriate APA headings for Each Component listed here

ComponentsTitl P f ll NSU S l G id liTitle Page – must follow NSU Style Guidelines.

http://www.schoolofed.nova.edu/arc/online_guides/index.htmNature of the Problem – this should: (a) indicate the actual “problem,” (b) be concise and focused, (c) be stated in one orproblem, (b) be concise and focused, (c) be stated in one or two declarative statements, which clearly indicates the purpose of the study.Background and Significance of the Problem – this should include: (a) a clear statement that the problem exists, (b)include: (a) a clear statement that the problem exists, (b) evidence that supports the existence of the problem, (c) evidence that a trend exists that has lead to the problem, (d) definitions of major concepts and terms, (e) the setting is clearly described, (f) probable causes related to the problem, (f) the ( ) p p ( )problem is specific and can be feasibly addressed.References – must have a reference page, which includes full citations based on the in-text references and must follow APA and Nova Style guidelines.y g

Nature of the Problem

A problem is an actual situation that is hindering the overall effectiveness of an organizationorganizationThe impact of the problem on the organization should be clearly statedIf the problem is too broad, the student may choose to address only certain aspects of the problem (be concise and focused)problem (be concise and focused)The problem should be stated in the form of a declarative sentence

Nature of the Problem (cont’d)

State the purpose of the proposed study, for example:• “The purpose of this study is to determine if

distance education is as effective as face-to-face ed cation ”face education.”

Background and Significance of theBackground and Significance of the Problem

Provide documented evidence that the problem exists (no data should be collected at this point)Define major issues related to problemj pIdentify possible or probable causes of the problemp

Background and Significance of theBackground and Significance of the Problem (cont’d)

Provide a brief description of• The setting (if applicable) where the problem

exists and where the study will take place • The profile of the organization and other

pertinent general backgro nd informationpertinent general background information• The student’s role in relation to the

organization (if applicable)organization (if applicable)

Background and Significance of theBackground and Significance of the Problem (cont’d)

Include any other salient information

Preliminary Literature Review

This succinct review of current literature should:• Provide further contextual background• Reveal issues related to your study• Describe similar problems in other

organizations• P id i ifi t h t th• Provide significance to your approach to the

study

Guidelines on Style, Mechanics, and Language Usage

Does your draft follow the logic or idea that is presented in your intro and title?Avoid overusing direct quotations, especially long onesp y gCheck style manual for correct use of citations• (Doe, 2005); Doe (2005); (Doe & Smith, 2005); Doe

and Smith (2005); (Black, 2005; Brown, 2006; Yellow, 2007)2007)

G id li St l M h i d Guidelines on Style, Mechanics, and Language Usage

Avoid using synonyms for recurring words• This is not creative writing and stay consistent with

terminologygy• Group I, Phoenix Cohort, Experimental Group

Spell out all acronyms when first using them• T diti l A i P h l i l A i ti• Traditional - American Psychological Association

(APA)• Non-traditional - Collective Efficacy (CE)

Yes - Do NOT use contractions; No – Don’t use contractionsCoined terms should be set off by quotesCoined terms should be set off by quotes

G id li St l M h i d Guidelines on Style, Mechanics, and Language Usage

Avoid the following:• Slang – “cool”• Colloquialisms – “thing” >> “item” or “feature”• Idioms – “rise to the pinnacle” >> “to become

prominent”

Use great care to avoid PlagiarismPlagiarism

What needs to be included in the What needs to be included in the Literature review.

P id l b k dProvides contextual backgroundReveals related issuesReviews similar problems elsewhereReviews similar problems elsewhereProvides significance to your approach to the studyIncludes major/seminar research articles pertaining to studyWritten in an integrated mannerWritten in an integrated mannerUses peer-reviewed researchIncludes a Reference section

Writing Your Research Question(s)

R fl t th bl th t th hReflect the problem that the researcher wants to investigateC fCan be formulated based on theories, past research, previous experience, or the

ti l d t k d t d ipractical need to make data-driven decisions in a work environment

Writing Your Research Question(s) Writing Your Research Question(s) (cont’d)

Are vitally important because they, in large part, dictate what type of statistical analysis i d d ll h t t f his needed, as well as what type of research design may be employedA research question should address only 1 conceptQuestion must be measurable

Types of Questions AskedTypes of Questions Asked

Once you have identified the topic of study, youOnce you have identified the topic of study, you will need to consider the type of question you want answered and how it will be answered Two paradigms• Quantitative Paradigm

•Generally attempt to quantify variables of interest. Questions frequently address “how well or how much ”well or how much.

Types of Questions AskedTypes of Questions Asked

• Qualitative ParadigmQualitative Paradigm• “there are times when we wish to know not

how many or how well, but simply how.” (Shulman, 1988, pg. 7)

Research QuestionsFrom Topic to Research Question A good research topic asks a clear, concise question. Asking a research question helps you keep a tight focus on your topic.your topic.

Tweaking Your Research QuestionA good research topic is broad enough to allow you to find g p g yplenty of material, but narrow enough to fit within the size and time constraints of your paper. • If your topic is either too broad or too narrow, consider adding or

eliminating the following elements:eliminating the following elements:

Time Period, century, decade, future, Population Type, age, gender, nationality, species, Geographic Location country, g , y, p , g p y,state, region, Point of View economic, social, cultural, biological

Components Addressed in ResearchComponents Addressed in Research Methodology

ParticipantspInstrumentsProceduresProceduresLimitationsA ti i t d O tAnticipated OutcomesReferences

ParticipantsThi i h ld i l d h f ll i l ( )This section should include the following elements: (a) the target population or sample to which it is hoped the findings will be applicable should be defined, consistent with the Statement of Problem and the Researchwith the Statement of Problem and the Research Question(s), (b) the population from which the sample will actually be drawn should be specified. This should also include demographic information such as age, gender ethnicity etc (c) procedures for selecting thegender, ethnicity etc., (c) procedures for selecting the sample should be outlined, including justification for the sampling method, (d) the implications for the generalizability of findings from the sample to the g y gaccessible population and then to the target population should be addressed.

ProceduresP d h d i ill b b dProcedures – the procedures section will be based directly on the research questions. That is, this is the “how-to” section of the study and will introduce the design of the research and how the data will bedesign of the research and how the data will be collected based on the questions of interest. This section should include the approach (i.e., design) to conducting the research (e.g., experimental, quasi-experimental survey historical or ethnographic) andexperimental, survey, historical, or ethnographic) and the appropriate procedures to be followed. For example, for an experimental or quasi-experimental study, the proposal should indicate how participants will ybe assigned to treatments and how the research will be conducted to ensure internal and external validity. If an evaluation project is proposed, the model to be followed should be specifiedfollowed should be specified.

Instruments

Examples of data-gathering instruments include standardized tests, teacher-made tests, questionnaires, interview guides, psychological tests, or field-study logsIndicate the source (literature citation) of the instrument and cite appropriatelyInclude validity and reliability informationy y

Conceptual and Operational Variables

Concepts (or constructs) = terms that refer to the characteristics of an event situation orthe characteristics of an event, situation, or group being studied

We need to clearly specify how we define each d t i h t diand every concept in our research studies.

Two Types of Definitions

C t l D fi itiConceptual Definition

...the “empirical definition” of a construct

Examples of Conceptual DefinitionsExamples of Conceptual DefinitionsCognitive dissonance = “the unpleasant state of psychological arousal resulting from anpsychological arousal resulting from an inconsistency within one’s important attitudes, beliefs or behaviors”beliefs, or behaviorsSelf-esteem = “a person’s overall self-evaluation or sense of self worth”evaluation or sense of self worthAggression = “behavior intended to injure

th ”another”Stereotype = “a belief about the personal attributes of a group of people”

Conceptual definitions offer general, abstractConceptual definitions offer general, abstract characterizations of psychological constructs.

This is exactly why we need operational definitions!definitions!

Operational definition...the precise specification of how a concept

is measured or manipulated in a particular study

Operational DefinitionsOperational DefinitionsHow can we operationalize “aggression”?

-punching another’s face?-hitting another’s arm?-spreading rumors about another?sp ead g u o s about a ot e-verbally insulting another?throwing glass at another?-throwing glass at another?

-etc.* The more specific, the better.

Operational DefinitionsOperational DefinitionsWhy are they necessary/important?

They force us to think carefully and empirically in precise and specific terms.

They make the concept public; they allow for replication.p

MeasurableMeasurable.

Limitations

Limitations are conditions, restrictions or constraints that may affect the validity of the project outcomesproject outcomesA limitation is a weakness or shortcoming in the project that could not be avoided or corrected and is acknowledged in the final reportCommon limitations are the lack of reliability ofCommon limitations are the lack of reliability of measuring instruments and the restriction of the project to a particular organization setting

Anticipated Outcomes

Description of expected results of the studyDetail the importance of conducting the study as well as possible impact on y p ppractice and theory

References

must have a reference page, which includes full citations based on the in-text references and must follow APA and Nova Style guidelines.