Research Report: Quantitative Research Study Assignment Instructions

PADM 805

Research Report: Quantitative Research Study Assignment Instructions

Overview

Based on a simulated scenario with background information and results, write a complete research study with the information that is provided. As a researcher, you are seeking to determine if there are differences in the self-esteem levels of male and female employees of the Urban Municipal Center, located in an urban setting in Maine. The Self-Esteem Inventory was the instrument used for data collection and has a Cronbach’s Alpha level = .90 with established validity. Given the sample sizes, the Central Limit Theorem was used to assume that the data passes the normality assumption.

Instructions

This assignment will give you the opportunity to create a research study based on a simulated research scenario with the data analysis supplied. This 10-to-15-page research study will include important components of research paper plan. Below are the format requirements:

· Length of assignment (10 to 15 pages)

· References to selected article are not included in the page count.

· Format of assignment (APA most recent edition).

· Number of citations – At least 15 references should be included.

· Acceptable sources (e.g., Scholarly peer-reviewed article)

· Manuscripts should not be written in first person (“I”).

· All material should be 12-point, Times New Roman type, double-spaced with margins of one inch.

· All manuscripts should be clearly and concisely written, with technical material set off. Please do not use jargon, slang, idioms, colloquialisms, or bureaucratese. Use acronyms sparingly and spell them out the first time you use them. Please do not construct acronyms from phrases you repeat frequently in the text.

· The Research Report: Quantitative Research Study Assignment Resources found on the assignment page will be helpful in writing you methodology section and your interpretations.

· Review the Research Report: Quantitative Research Study Assignment Structure found below on pages 2 – 3.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

Research Report: Quantitative Research Study Assignment Structure

Use the following structure for your research article: Abstract, Introduction, Literature Review, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. Include a robust discussion section distinct from your conclusion.

Title

Give your article a Title that is both descriptive and inviting to prospective readers. Your article title should appeal to both scholars and practitioners. Use a shortened version of the main idea of your article in the title.

Abstract

Your Abstract should inform readers what your article is about and its most important findings. Readers, including scholars and practitioners, should be able to understand your topic, argument, and conclusions. Make your abstract straightforward and do not use technical language or jargon.

Introduction

In the Introduction, you include three distinct subsections, although these are typically not identified by separate headings. The opening introduces the research question and explains why it is interesting, the literature review discusses relevant previous research to establish theory and a problem statement, and the closing restates the research question, includes hypotheses, and comments on the method used to answer it.

Literature Review

In the Literature Review, cite only literature and theory pertinent to the specific issue and not those that are of only tangential or general significance. When summarizing earlier works, avoid nonessential details; instead, emphasize pertinent findings, relevant methodological issues, and major conclusions. Citation of relevant earlier literature is a sign of scholarly responsibility and it is critical for the growth of a doctoral student in public administration.

Methods

The Methods section “describes in detail how the study was conducted, including conceptual and operational definitions of the variables used in the study. Different types of studies will rely on different methodologies; however, a complete description of the methods used enables the reader to evaluate the appropriateness of your methods and the reliability and the validity of your results” (APA current edition). Include a description of your sample size and procedure, participants, how data collected, and research design.

Results

Results include data analysis used, explain results of the analysis including tables and figures using APA Style for all interpretations. You can restate hypotheses here and you should compute and include effect sizes.

Discussion

Discussion section includes interpretations from the analysis. How do your analyses relate to the results found by scholars in your lit review/theory section? In this section, evaluate and interpret their implications, especially with respect to your original hypotheses.

Conclusion

Provide a distinct Conclusion that tells readers what you found, why it is important, and what difference it will make for research and practice. Ensure you separate your discussion section from the conclusion of the article. Synthesize your article; do not summarize it. Show readers how the pieces of your article fit together. Answer the question “So what?” Why is your article significant, and how is it relevant?

Computed Results (generated using SPSS)

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