Methodology Proposal

This paper should be 5-7 pages, double-spaced and in APA format. Your paper should also contain 2 or more sources. Please include a title page and reference page (title page and reference page are not considered part of the 5-7-page requirement). The appendix should include, at the very least, the form you are planning to use for informed consent and the proposed research instrument. Format is as follows:

Introduction: Research question or hypothesis  

• State the research question


• Include 2 paragraphs on the background/history of the topic and its relevance to social work


• What data is presented in scholarly articles and other literature as it relates to what you would like to learn more about?

Sampling Procedures

• Who would be the participants in the study?


• How should the researcher go about obtaining them?


• Why is this group of individuals being chosen for the study?


• What will be the inclusion and exclusion criteria?

Instrumentation

• What type of instrument design would be utilized (survey, questionnaire, standardized instrument, or a review of records)?


• How many questions should the instrument contain and what type (open-ended, closed-ended)?


• Will demographic information be obtained on participants? If so, what type of information will be collected and why?


• Indicate the approximate amount of time it would take for the instrument to be completed.


• Indicate that the instrument will be pre-tested for validity (for non-standardized instruments).


• What are the strengths and limitations for the type of instrument being used?

Data Collection & Analysis

• How do you plan to collect data? Will you review/evaluate/explore programs? Do you plan to review and analyze literature?


• Explain in detail what you plan to explore or evaluate.


• Indicate that the researcher will also determine if the data supports conclusions/literature

Proposed Findings/ Hypothesis 

• What do you hope to find out?


• How will you set aside your bias to objectively research your topic?

Study Limitations, Ethics, and Dissemination

• Consider the following possible limitations of the study: small sample size, limited time to conduct study, bias, etc.


• Indicate that to maintain ethical principles, researcher will protect confidentiality of any individual and/or program utilized during your research project.  


• Indicate the researcher will disseminate the findings by presenting them to agency staff.