Ashford PSY326 2021 June Discussions Latest (Full)

PSY326 Research Methods

Week 1 Discussion

Research Areas in Psychology [WLO: 2] [CLOs: 1, 5]

After reading Section 1.1 and the part of Section 1.3 about “Sources of Research Ideas” in your course text, select a topic you would be interested in researching. Choose your topic carefully and make sure it is something that will hold your interest, because you will be using it for assignments throughout the course.

In your initial post, provide some background information that shows why this is an important topic to be explored further. Apply the scientific method by identifying one or more appropriate research areas of psychology that your topic might align to that are described in Section 1.1 (for example, a study about treatment for bipolar disorder would align with clinical psychology, or a study of relationships in which one party is bipolar could come under social psychology). Does it fit into more than one? If so, which do you feel is the closest fit, and why? Remember to cite all of your sources within your explanation according to APA style (Links to an external site.) as outlined in the Writing Center (Links to an external site.).

 

PSY326 Research Methods

Week 2 Discussion

Method Comparisons [WLOs: 1, 2, 3] [CLOs: 3, 4, 5]

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read sections 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, and 5.2 in the Newman (2016) textbook and the instructor guidance for the week. This discussion has two parts.

In Part 1 of your post, base your response on this week’s instructor guidance as well as the required sections of the textbook listed above. Compare and contrast characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research approaches, including such aspects as sample size and type of data. Briefly explain the difference between experimental and non-experimental research.

In Part 2 of your post, use the University of Arizona Global Campus Library to investigate one of the following research design categories based on the first letter of your last name:

A-F: qualitative research

G-L: quantitative descriptive research

M-R: correlational research

S-Z: experimental research

Sources for this part of the post can be found in the Research Methods research guide list of suggested articles. You may also search the University of Arizona Global Campus Library databases for articles about your research design category. Become an expert on your assigned category of research so you can explain it to others.

In Part 2 of your post,

Explain the characteristics and purposes that define the research category.

Briefly describe some of the data collection and data analysis methods that are used in this type of research.

Mention one or more of the specific research designs that fall into your category.

Suggest a research topic for which this type of research would be suitable.

Use at least two scholarly/peer-reviewed sources and document them in APA style, with in-text citations and references listed at the end of the post.

Be prepared to answer questions about your category from classmates and the instructor.

 

PSY326 Research Methods

Week 3 Discussion

Pros and Cons of Qualitative Research [WLOs: 1, 2] [CLOs: 4, 5]

To prepare for this discussion, read the instructor guidance, Chapter 12 by Levitt (2016), and Sections 3.1, 3.2, “Pros and Cons of Observational Research” and “Types of Observational Research” in Section 3.4 of the Newman (2016) textbook. View the following videos: Different Qualitative Approaches (Links to an external site.) and When to Use a Qualitative Research Design? Four Things to Consider (Links to an external site.).

Then, determine from the list below your assigned qualitative research design based on the first letter of your last name:

A-F: Ethnography

G-L: Grounded theory

M-R: Narrative research

S-Z: Phenomenology

Using the Research Methods research guide’s list of suggested articles, look for information about your assigned qualitative research design. You may also search the Library databases for articles about the research design. In your initial post:

Evaluate the features of the design and what kinds of research topics it is suitable for.

Explain the data collection and data analysis methods used in the design.

Cite at least one scholarly/peer-reviewed article about the design and one published research study that used the design, for a total of at least two scholarly/peer-reviewed journal articles.

Document your sources in APA style (Links to an external site.), with in-text citations and references listed at the end of the post. For additional guidance see the Citing Within Your Paper (Links to an external site.) and Formatting Your References List (Links to an external site.) resources from the Writing Center.

 

PSY326 Research Methods

Week 4 Discussion

Experimental versus Non-experimental Quantitative Research [WLOs: 1, 2, 3] [CLOs: 3, 4, 5]

To prepare for this discussion, read the instructor guidance, and Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.3, “Steps” in Section 3.4, 3.5, 4.3, and Chapter 5 of the Newman (2016) textbook.

In contrast to qualitative designs, which are all basically non-experimental and descriptive, quantitative research designs may be either experimental or non-experimental. Within the non-experimental category, descriptive and correlational research are sub-categories.

Using the University of Arizona Global Campus Library databases, look for a scholarly/peer-reviewed quantitative research study on the topic you selected in Week 1. In your initial post,

Appraise the differences between experimental and non-experimental research.

Differentiate between a correlational study and an experimental study.

State the hypothesis being tested in the selected quantitative research study.

Identify the major variables and categorize them as independent or dependent.

Describe the methods and results of the study.

Determine whether the study is descriptive, correlational, or experimental, and explain why it fits this classification.

Document your sources in APA style (Links to an external site.), with in-text citations and references listed at the end of the post. For additional guidance see the Citing Within Your Paper (Links to an external site.) and Formatting Your References List (Links to an external site.) resources from the Writing Center.

 

PSY326 Research Methods

Week 5 Discussion

Preliminary Research Proposal [WLOs: 1, 2, 3] [CLOs: 1, 2, 4, 5]

To prepare for this discussion, read the instructor guidance and watch the videos Creating Your Research Proposal (Links to an external site.) and How to Write a Research Proposal? 11 Things to Include in a Thesis Proposal (Links to an external site.). Your initial post should be 250 to 300 words. Utilize a minimum of two peer-reviewed sources that were published within the last 10 years and are documented in APA style, as outlined in the Writing Center.

The purpose of this discussion assignment is to familiarize you with the purpose and components of a research proposal, and to allow an opportunity for you to get some feedback on your ideas for the Final Paper.

In your initial post,

Briefly describe the purpose of a research proposal and its components.

Present your research question and/or hypothesis.

Give some background information on the topic, including citing one or two previous related studies with their references.

Name the research design you would like to use.

Defend why you feel it is the most appropriate way to study your research question.

Discuss potential ethical issues that might arise and what you would do to address them.

Document your sources in APA style (Links to an external site.), with in-text citations and references listed at the end of the post. For additional guidance see the Citing Within Your Paper (Links to an external site.) and Formatting Your References List (Links to an external site.) resources from the Writing Center.