Discussion: Purpose of a Research Proposal
Discussion: Purpose of a Research Proposal
Research Proposal Paper Due What is a research proposal? The purpose of a research proposal is to identify and formulate questions that arise from nursing practice and to design a research project to study the identified problem. The goal of a research proposal is to present and justify a research idea you have and to present the practical ways in which you think this research should be conducted. Research proposals contain extensive literature reviews and must provide persuasive evidence that there is a need for the proposed research study. In addition to providing a rationale for the proposed research, a proposal describes detailed methodology for conducting the research consistent with requirements of the professional or academic field and a statement on anticipated outcomes and/or benefits derived from the study. Directions Write a research proposal using your clinical question formulated earlier in the course that was approved by your instructor.
Discussion: Purpose of a Research Proposal
Discussion: Purpose of a Research Proposal
This may be either a qualitative or quantitative research proposal. Your proposal must include APA formatting. The proposal should be a 6–10 in length plus appendices cover page, and reference page. Introduction Clearly stated problem and purpose of the study Independent and dependent variables Definition of terms Assumptions, hypothesis, or questions (depending on research type) Theoretical Framework Description of the theoretical framework to be utilized Identification of the concepts to be explored Rationale for choosing framework Review of the Literature At least four scholarly sources included Appropriateness of the review and the proposal focus Inclusion of primary or secondary sources Methodology Description of study type (quantitative or qualitative) Description of study design Rationale for the use of the selected design Inclusion of sample size, type, sampling method, inclusion/exclusion criteria, setting, data collection method (instrument), and data collection process Method for Protection of Human Subjects (consent) Questionnaire and consent forms must be included as appendices Data Analysis Data analysis method is appropriate for study design. Method of data analysis is clearly stated. Method for displaying findings is stated. Applicability to Nursing Research focuses on a problem significant to nursing. Research would contribute to nursing knowledge. Proposal is complete so that another researcher could replicate the study. Statement about areas of nursing that would benefit from this study. Rubric Detail A rubric lists grading criteria that instructors use to evaluate student work.
Your instructor linked a rubric to this item and made it available to you. Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout. Content Name: NURS350-Research Proposal Description: This rubric is used to evaluate the Research Proposal Assignment in NURS350. Exit Grid View List View Accomplished Emerging Unsatisfactory Introduction Points Range: 45.6 (16%) – 57 (20%) Problem, purpose of study, IV and DV variables, definition of terms, and hypotheses are mostly clearly identified. Points Range: 34.2 (12%) – 45.03 (15.8%) Problem, purpose of study, IV and DV variables, definition of terms, and hypotheses are somewhat identified. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 33.63 (11.8%) Problem, purpose of study, IV and DV variables, definition of terms, and hypotheses are absent or mostly misidentified. Theoretical Framework Points Range: 34.2 (12%) – 42.75 (15%) Description of theoretical framework and identification of concepts to be explored are mostly clearly identified. Points Range: 25.65 (9%) – 33.77 (11.85%) Description of theoretical framework and identification of concepts to be explored are somewhat identified. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 25.22 (8.85%) Description of theoretical framework and identification of concepts to be explored are absent or mostly misidentified.
Literature Review Points Range: 22.8 (8%) – 28.5 (10%) At least 4 references are included. Concepts explored in references are mostly clearly identified. Points Range: 17.1 (6%) – 22.52 (7.9%) At least 3 references are included. Concepts explored in references are somewhat identified. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 16.82 (5.9%) 0 or more references are included. Concepts explored in references are absent or mostly misidentified. Methodology Points Range: 68.4 (24%) – 85.5 (30%) Description of study, study design, rationale, and inclusion of sampling information are mostly clearly identified. Points Range: 51.3 (18%) – 67.54 (23.7%) Description of study, study design, rationale, and inclusion of sampling information are somewhat identified. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 50.44 (17.7%) Description of study, study design, rationale, and inclusion of sampling information are absent or mostly misidentified. Data Analysis Points Range: 22.8 (8%) – 28.5 (10%) Data analysis and method of displaying findings are mostly clearly identified. Points Range: 17.1 (6%) – 22.52 (7.9%) Data analysis and method of displaying findings are mostly somewhat identified. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 16.82 (5.9%) Data analysis and method of displaying findings are absent or mostly misidentified.
Applicability to Nursing Points Range: 11.4 (4%) – 14.25 (5%) Research is significant to field of nursing, contributes to nursing knowledge. The study can be replicated by others. Points Range: 8.55 (3%) – 11.26 (3.95%) Research is related to nursing and somewhat contributes to nursing knowledge. There is a possibility the study can be replicated. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 8.41 (2.95%) Research is somewhat or not related to nursing and may not contribute to nursing knowledge. The study cannot easily be replicated by others. Mechanics & APA Points Range: 22.8 (8%) – 28.5 (10%) Written in a clear, concise, formal, and organized manner. Responses are mostly error free. Information from sources is paraphrased appropriately and accurately cited. Points Range: 17.1 (6%) – 22.52 (7.9%) Writing is generally clear and organized but is not concise or formal in language. Multiple errors exist in spelling and grammar with minor interference with readability or comprehension. Most information from sources is paraphrased and cited correctly. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 16.82 (5.9%) Writing is generally unclear and unorganized. Errors in spelling and grammar detract from readability and comprehension. Sources are missing or improperly cited. Name:NURS350-Research Proposal Description:This rubric is used to evaluate the Research Proposal Assignment in NURS350. Exit
You must proofread your paper. But do not strictly rely on your computer’s spell-checker and grammar-checker; failure to do so indicates a lack of effort on your part and you can expect your grade to suffer accordingly. Papers with numerous misspelled words and grammatical mistakes will be penalized. Read over your paper – in silence and then aloud – before handing it in and make corrections as necessary. Often it is advantageous to have a friend proofread your paper for obvious errors. Handwritten corrections are preferable to uncorrected mistakes.
Use a standard 10 to 12 point (10 to 12 characters per inch) typeface. Smaller or compressed type and papers with small margins or single-spacing are hard to read. It is better to let your essay run over the recommended number of pages than to try to compress it into fewer pages.
Likewise, large type, large margins, large indentations, triple-spacing, increased leading (space between lines), increased kerning (space between letters), and any other such attempts at “padding” to increase the length of a paper are unacceptable, wasteful of trees, and will not fool your professor.
The paper must be neatly formatted, double-spaced with a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, and sides of each page. When submitting hard copy, be sure to use white paper and print out using dark ink. If it is hard to read your essay, it will also be hard to follow your argument.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS
Discussion Questions (DQ)
Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.
Weekly Participation
Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.
APA Format and Writing Quality
Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.
Use of Direct Quotes
I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.
As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.
LopesWrite Policy
For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.
Late Policy
The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.
Communication
Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:
Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.
