Research Study Proposal – Part II: Literature Review Matrix and Research Question

HCS 542 WEEK 4

Research Study Proposal – Part II: Literature Review Matrix and Research Question Directions:

Read the document Finding Peer Reviewed Empirical Research Articles

Conduct a literature review that is related to your problem statement from week 2:

• Conduct background reading on your topic.

• Select at least three peer reviewed empirical research articles related to your research question.  The articles should be no more than 10 years old.  They should be actual empirical research articles; not review articles, meta-analyses, presentation abstracts, book reviews, letters to the editor, etc.

Complete the matrix using the three empirical research articles that best support your research question.  Use a matrix to describe the three articles with the following columns:

  • In-text citation for each article in first column
  • Study design type and description (how the design is applied in this study)
  • Sample(s) size and description (including pertinent demographics, and any comparison groups)
  • Pertinent measurements being made, and how
  • Key findings
  • Strengths of the study methods (e.g., the design, the sample, the measurements, the analyses used)
  • Weaknesses of the study methods (e.g., the design, the sample, the measurements, the analyses used)

In the last two rows of the matrix, provide a brief summary/synthesis of each of these columns that addresses:

  • How are the studies as a group demonstrating each heading?
  • What holes are there that need to be filled in future research?

Create and present a single-sentence research question that is based on these research needs addressed in your last row.  The research question needs to:

  1. Ask about the relationship between at least two measurable variables relevant to your research problem and the literature review.
  2. Specify the population(s) you want to study these variables in.

Provide a reference page for your sources, including the articles, according to APA format.

The entire Research Study Proposal – Part II: Literature Review Matrix and Research Question assignment should be 1000-1500 words.

Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your Research Study Proposal – Part II: Literature Review Matrix and Research Question assignment.