PSYC32 Differences Between the Political Parties in America

PSYC 32 GC Differences Between the Political Parties in America Paper

ANTH/PSYC/POLS 32: Introduction to Research Methods

 RESEARCH PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS

Your research project should cover a topic in anthropology, political science or psychology that is of interest to you. Your research project title drives your paper—ONLY WRITE ABOUT WHAT YOUR TITLE SAYS.

The research project proposal should contain the information listed on the “Research Project Proposal Example” below and turned in to me by September 18th. If the research proposal isn’t turned in by this date, you can’t conduct a research project, and therefore won’t receive any points for this assignment. Before you begin your project, you must receive my approval.

Be sure that there are enough empirical research articles: all contain a Method and Results section available to write a literature review.

The research project report should be 10 (full) to 12 double-spaced pages long; not including the cover sheet or references page(s). Make sure to number your pages (the first page number begins on the page where your “Introduction” starts and the last page number ends on the last page of your references list). You must have a minimum of five (5) differently named references and (3) of them must be empirical research articles, and at least three of the references (journals) must be dated 2000 or later. Only articles where an author and its origin can be cited can be used in the research paper. Make sure to consult the American Psychological Association (APA) Formatting and Style Guide, the American Political Science Association (APSA) Formatting and Style Guide or the Modern Language Association (MLA).

The research paper must be original research; not a rewritten paper from another class, or from someone who wrote the paper for you, and must be printed out in Times New Roman 12-font, 1” margins and double-spaced. You can gather articles for your research paper from Ebscohost or other databases through the Gavilan College Library. Contact the staff at the library NOW for access to Ebscohost and other databases, and for help in researching your topic. There are nine (9) sections in the research paper (See outline below). The cover sheet of your research paper should have your research project title, your name, my title and last name, the class title and meeting days and times, Gavilan College, and the date the paper was handed in all centered (see cover sheet example below). This research project is due on December 4th.

 (Remember to indent each paragraph) The structure of your research project should be based off the following outline. You must clearly indicate sections of the paper by using headings that indicate where particular kinds of information can be found. Subheading may also be used in longer sections to facilitate organization.

 1. Introduction Explain the issue you are examining and why it is significant.

• Describe the general area you’re studying

• Explain why this area is important to the general area under study (e.g., psychology, political science, anthropology)

2. Research Purpose and Hypothesis

• Explain why you are researching the issue/topic that you chose.

• Give a description of the question(s) you are examining. o List the specific question(s) that you’re exploring

• Hypothesize what results you expect to come out of this project.

3. Theoretical Framework Demonstrate an understanding of a theory/theories that are relevant to the topic of your research project and that relate to the broader areas of knowledge being considered.

4. Background/Review of the Literature Give a description of what is already known about this area and a short discussion of why the background studies are/ are not sufficient • Summarize what is already known about the field. Include a summary of the basic background information on the topic gleaned from your literature review (you can also include background information from the textbook, class and websites) • Discuss critical studies that have already been done in this area (cite according to a style with which you are familiar-APA, APSA or MLA, for example)

5. Method and Design Give a description of how you went about collecting data and testing the question(s) you examined. • How did you collect your data and why? • Describe the general methodology you chose for your study, in order to test your hypothesis(es). • Explain why this method was best for your purposes. • Participants: Who did you test and why? • Describe the sample you tested and explain why you chose this sample. Include age, socio-economic information and other demographic information, but only if relevant to the design. • Were there any participants you excluded? Why, why not?

6. Data Analysis • How did you analyze your data? • Describe your findings (provide some sort of graphics) • Did the results confirm/disconfirm your hypothesis?

7. Significance Discuss how your research could lead to a significant addition or improvement to the original studies, and/or how it would benefit the field. (In other words, why would someone care?)

 8. Conclusion Discuss your overall experience conducting your research

 9. References Include all references in a style with which you are familiar (e.g., APA, APSA or MLA style). You should have at least 5 references, and at least 3 of these should be journal articles.

RESEARCH TASKS TIMELINE DIRECTIONS: The following is an outline of tasks you will need to accomplish while working on your research project. Your progress will be a contributing factor for your final research project grade. Upon completing each step, turn it in for approval. In the meantime, go on to the next step. Keep track of each step in a research notebook. 09/18- Submit a Research Proposal Form. You may modify this later if you come up with a better idea, but you must check with me first. 09/25 – Submit your Literature Review. Conduct library research and submit a one (1) to two (2) page paper with an alphabetized bibliography (on a separate page) to show your background research. This paper should be a summary of the research pertaining to your topic. When writing the review, give credit whenever you use someone else’s information. You must cite each bibliography item at least once in this literature review. You should review 3-5 studies. 10/02 – Complete your methods and materials section. This section should be a step-by-step breakdown of the procedures you plan to follow and the methods you will use. Write this section in the past tense, as if the project were already complete, so it will require fewer revisions in the final report. Discuss the research instrument(s) you will be utilizing to collect your data. Lastly, include a projection of the dates you plan to spend collecting data– plan on spending 2 weeks collecting data. Speak to me if your project does not lend itself to a sufficient amount of data collection. 10/23 – Write your research question and incorporate it into a thesis. This paper should include a statement of the purpose of your project, a thesis that accounts for your research question, and an explanation of the significance of your project- that is, an explanation of why anyone would want to know the answer to your question. 11/06 – Submit your survey and/or interview questions 11/27 – Graph results. Write an analysis of your results. Explain what the results mean, relate them to the research question and hypothesis. Write a conclusion for your project. In the conclusion, you should give a brief synopsis of the results and then evaluate your data, your reasoning, and your judgment. 12/04 – Turn in the complete research paper presented in a professional manner. Type the paper neatly and include neat, labeled graphs and tables. Each table and graph should be on a separate sheet of paper and must have a title. Each title should be preceded by the word “Table” or “Figure” and a number: for example, “Figure 1. Effects of moods when driving in traffic.”

 Research Paper Start Assignment Due Dec 10 by 11:59pm Points 100 Submitting a text entry box, a website url, or a file upload Turn in the complete research paper presented in a professional manner. Type the paper neatly and include neat, labeled graphs and tables (for surveys). Each table and graph should be on a separate sheet of paper and must have a title. Interview themes/findings should also be labeled. Each title should be preceded by the word “Table” or “Figure” and a number: for example, “Figure 1. Effects of moods when driving in traffic.” Your paper should be double-spaced, 12 pt. font with 1″ margins.