Research proposal about Implicit Bias in Hiring

Research proposal about Implicit Bias in Hiring
Overview
The purpose of the research proposal is to get you thinking like a researcher. You will select a topic that covers some area of Psychology that interests you. We will be working on the proposal over the quarter. You will be required to submit portions of the proposal along the way for grading. You may not use a paper or assignment that you turned in for another class for any of the research proposal components. It will be considered self-plagiarism and will results in a zero.
Your research proposal must be either an experiment, correlational study, quasi-experiment, or a more complex research design (though this is discouraged because it is too complex). Please run it by me first before attempting a complex research design. You must be able to statically analyze the results. You cannot do a simple survey or questionnaire.
The expectations (Please see the student sample paper on D2L to use as a model!)
Between 6 –8 pages in length (double spaced).
Must be in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), rtf, or PDF. If it states that you only need to turn in a copy on D2L you must submit it on D2L by 10:00pm of due dates.
A properly formatted title page with running head
All the different section must start on a new page.
A header with your topic and page number on each page of the paper.
In-text citations or parenthetical citations (give credit where credit is due).
A properly formatted reference section (on a separate page).
In APA format (7th edition).
You cannot turn in anything that you turned in for another class. This is considered self-plagiarism and will get a 0 for that component and may face disciplinary action.
Consist of 3 main sections: 1) Introduction, 2) Methods 3) Reference

Important: Due Dates: A component is considered late if it is not submitted on D2L by the due date and also considered late if a paper copy is not submitted in class or in my mailbox by the beginning of the following class day if stated. Remember, no late work is accepted.
You cannot turn in a methods section without having and introduction section. You cannot turn in a final draft without an introduction and methods section. You will receive a “0” if it does not have the previous sections.

1. Introduction –Literature Review & Hypothesis (the What) (3-5 pages). A copy is due on D2L. No late papers will be accepted.
The introduction and literature review section are where you present what has been done before and how this leads to what you want to do. Start by talking about the area you are interested in, why you are interested in it, and what you plan to investigate. Your introduction is a critical component and is designed to enlighten the reader about the topic you are investigating. None of the sections in the Introduction should be written in the first person (no writing I or my statements i.e. “I will be investigating.” Instead write “this research will investigate”). Please see the student example so you know how it should look. After you write your section(s), compare it to the student example and make sure it looks very similar in content and formatting.

You need to review 3 peer-reviewed journal articles related to your topic in your introduction. This doesn’t mean simply summarizing each article. Instead, show how all of the articles tie together, how they relate, and how these relations lead to your hypothesis. When discussing your articles, be sure to briefly describe the research methods they used (e.g., participants, study design) and the findings.

At the end of the introduction, clearly state what you are investigating, what your question is and what you propose is the answer –the hypothesis. This takes the form of your proposed answer to the question. The reasoning behind it comes from your literature review.

The hypothesis should be:
1. Testable—meaning that your measures and design will give a result one way or the other.
2. Focused and simple—don’t try and answer all things.
3. Meaningful—in that it contributes something new to what we know about the subject.

The introduction should be organized according to the following format and components:
(Section 1) An introduction to your topic, your definition of the psychology construct or topic, and why you as a researcher are interested in researching the topic. You may come up with a construct definition or look one up online or in the dictionary. (1-2 paragraphs)
(Section 2) A review of at least 3 peer reviewed academic article relating to the topic. Use proper APA in-text citations. (3 or more paragraphs). (Must have 3 through and comprehensive review of previous research article)(Must also be academic research articles, though you can add additional non research articles in addition to the 3).
(Section 3) What you as an investigator hopes to learn and teach others about your research findings and justification as to why your study is important and help people, society etc.… Also include at least 1 hypothesis with predictions on what results you expect to find (ex. Mean difference, lower scores compared to … negative correlation, f-test etc.…), along with your reasoning for your hypothesis (should be based on results from previous research and cited). Also include the alpha level or confidence interval you will use, i.e. alpha = .05. (1-2 paragraphs and more depending on how many hypotheses).
Section 3 example is below:
Based on the previous research findings by Walter’s (2016) and Ronaldo et. al. (2015) (Must support hypothesis with previous research) which found a negative correlation between room temperature and exam performance, there needs to be more research into creating the ideal room temperature for people while taking exams so people can maximize the number of correct answers they can receive on an exam. With better exams scores, people can get into colleges, pass classes, and receive certificates and degrees, which will allow them to fulfill their academic, professional and personal goals. This study hopes to find out what the ideal temperature is for people while taking exams? (Must state why your study is important). This study will incorporate an experimental research design with the IV being room temperature and consisting of 2 level (98-degree room and a 67-degree room) and the DV being exam performance. This study hypothesis is, H1: Participants in level 1 of the IV, which will take their GRE exams in a 98-degree Fahrenheit room, will have lower scores on their GRE exams compared to participants in level 2 of the IV, which will take their GRE exams in a 67-degree Fahrenheit room. The significance level to measure the mean difference between the experimental group and the control group will have an alpha level of = .05. (Must include alpha level, if applicable). We will then statistically analyze the data using an Independent Sample t-test (ANOVA) (Must state what statistical test you will use to analyze your results). This hypothesis is based on studies conducted by Walters (2016) and Ronaldo et. al. (2015) which found a negative correlation, r = -.67, between room temperature and exam performance, p < .001. (Must support hypothesis with previous research) 2. Methods –Design (the How) (1-2 pages): A copy is due on D2L. No late papers will be accepted. This section is all about how you plan on running a study to test your hypothesis—in short, the how. Introduce what things you will measure, how you plan to measure them, and why you are measuring this way. Please see the student example so you know how it should look. After you write your section(s), compare it to the student example and make sure it looks very similar in content and formatting. This should include the following three subsections with proper subheadings: 1. Participants: (subheadings in bold) a) Describe who you plan to sample (e.g., College students, Couples 21 –45 years of age). b) How you will recruit participants to the study and whether or not there is an incentive to participate (e.g., payment) c) How many participants will you need (This depends largely on previous research. Use similar studies to help you decide how many participants you should include. Be realistic!) 2. Measures: a) Standard measures you will use, like the WAIS, BDI, or PSS (include citations of the measures!) b) If you create a questionnaire, what will it include? (Include measure and questionnaires in the appendix which goes after the refences section). c) If you are using blood samples or physical health indicators, discuss these d) If you are designing a qualitative study, how will you develop your protocol? e) Will you collect other measures? (e.g., demographic variables like gender, age, race) You must cite (i.e. see appendix A) include all measures and questionnaires in the appendix, which goes after the reference section. 3. Procedures: a) Provide a detailed step-by-step account of how you will carry out your study, as if you were writing down a recipe for your signature dish and you are telling the reader exactly how to create your signature dish, step-by-step. The procedures main goal is for future researhcers to be able to replicate your study. b) What procedures will you use? Will you administer a questionnaire, take a blood sample, bring participants into a lab for an experiment? Where will the study take place (e.g., in a lab, in the field, on-line)? What is your observation schedule and how many times will you collect measures? Longitudinal, cross-sectional? c) Are there any ethical concerns; if so how will you address them? 4. Study Design and Analysis: a) What will be your research design (Experiment, ABAB, correlation, quasi experiment etc.…). Will it be a within subjects, between subjects or mixed etc.… What will be the variables you be observing? (IV, DV, etc.…). If you are doing an experiment, what different conditions will you use (e.g., control group, experimental group(s), etc.)? What are you manipulating and how? b) What statistical analysis will you be using to interpret your data. What will be your alpha level or confidence interval? i.e., alpha = .05. What statistical tests will you use to analyze your data (f-test, t-test, chi-square, Pearson r, Cohen’s d etc.… See table in Chapter 13 on appropriate test for which type of scale)? PSY 321 Research Proposal Paper Grading Rubric: Worth 120 total points Academic article review, topic and APA formatting paper: This is the only assignment you can turn in up to 7 days late for half credit. Review of 1 peer-reviewed article: 10 pts APA formatting, title page and reference section: 10 pts Total: 20 pts Introduction/ Literature Review (First Draft) Grading Criteria-No late papers will be accepted. Reviewed 3 peer-reviewed articles- 15pts Reference section in APA format- 5pts In-text Citation in APA format- 5pts Introduced the topic- 5pts Stated the hypothesis- 5pts APA style, flow and grammar- 5pts Total- 40pts Methods Section Grading Criteria- No late papers will be accepted. You cannot turn in the methods section if you did not turn in or include an introduction section first draft. If you do, you will get a 0. Participant population description- 5pts How you will recruit participants- 5pts Described measures- 5pts Study procedures- 5pts Study design and statistical analysis tests- 5pts APA style, flow and grammar- 5pts Total- 30pts Final Draft of Research Proposal: Due on D2L by 10:00pm. No late papers will be accepted.: All of the sections including the title page, abstract revised introduction, methods Section, and reference sections. (Please see research proposal example). Everything needs to written in the future tense. You cannot turn in a final draft that does not include all of the previous components or else you will get a 0. Revised Introduction- 10pts Revised Methods- 10pts Abstract Between 150-200 words only.- 5 pts APA style and Reference section format- 5pts OVERALL PRESENTATION AND APA STYLE: Your overall presentation, including writing style and clarity, use of references and cites to support your paper, tables, conformity with APA Style and other stylistic aspects of your paper. It is important that you proofread your paper before turning it in. Remember to use a spelling and grammar checker but do not count on this to correct all errors. Pay attention to sentence structure and meaning. Your paper should be written in a clear, concise, and scientific style. Be sure to edit your own writing to create a succinct and carefully constructed paper that communicates exactly what you intend to convey to the reader. Total: 30 pts Final Draft of Research Proposal Components You must study the APA manual required for this course so that your research project will meet all APA format requirements. Please review the Structure of an Empirical Journal Article, it will give you an in-depth explanation of each section and specific details are also provided in the textbook and the notes that I provided. If you have any questions on how to write in APA or how to structure your research study, then feel free to ask me or any of the assistants. Please see the student example so you know how it should look. After you write your section(s), compare it to the student example and make sure it looks very similar in content and formatting. No late papers will be accepted. Title page: Must be in APA format with a running header. Abstract: The Abstract should be a short description of your study, and typically is about 150 to 250 words in length. No more than 250 words though. The Abstract should provide information regarding introduction of the topic, very brief scope of previous research, the research focus, participants, procedures, design, and hypothesis. (5 points) Introduction: Your Introduction is a critical component and is designed to enlighten the reader or reviewer as to the general area of research interest, the background of the problem, and the scope of the research. The reader should be able to understand why you are conducting your study. The Introduction also provides a review of the literature. This section should include: A literature review from peer reviewed studies discussing relevant past studies, their results, and the relevance of each study to your study. Also include at least 1 hypothesis or predictions pertaining to your study. Methods Section: The Method section presents a detailed description of the participants (at least the number and characteristics of the participants in your study), the measures, materials, etc., and specific procedures used for collecting your data. You must cite (i.e. see appendix A) include all measures and questionnaires in the appendix, which goes after the reference section. Reference Section: References should be double-spaced and presented in APA Publication Manual style. It is important to examine your final paper to ensure that all references cited in the text are in the Reference section with the correct date, citation, and spelling of authors’ names. It is important that you check to make sure all references in the Reference section are cited in the text of your document. With a draft copy, it is advisable to go over every page of text, crosschecking the citation in the Reference section. You should have at least 3 peer-reviewed journal article citations. Appendix (If applicable): You must include any measure or scales like the Beck Depression Inventory, if you will be using a measure or questionnaire in the appendix section. This goes after the reference section.

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