Question Description

The question I am researching is: Do gun laws affect a state’s violent crime rate? I am comparing Alaska and Nevada.

Overview

Using the research question and hypotheses you developed in your Module 5 Literature Review assignment, write a report outlining the type data you would collect, how you would collect it, and how you would analyze it.

The primary purpose of this Research Methodology Assignment is to
give you experience in determining appropriate research methods to be
used with the research question and hypotheses you have posed and with
the type of data you would need to collect to answer your question. Your
report must contain the sections indicated in the assignment
instructions, and APA formatting standards must be followed throughout.

Assignment Instructions

Your report must contain the following sections. (Use these sections as headings in your paper.)

  • Study Design – This is an overview section that includes information from your previous assignments. You should repeat the research question and hypotheses from your literature review assignment here, then briefly tell what type of study you would do, what type of data you would collect, and summarize how you would collect and analyze the data. Most of these points are covered in more detail in later sections.
  • Population and Sample – This is a short section describing the population for your report, your sample, and how your sample will be selected.
  • Variables and Measures – Describe the variables in your
    study. Indicate whether they are independent, dependent, moderating, or
    intervening. Describe the relationship between the variables. Tell how
    they will be measured.
  • Data Collection Methods – Tell what kind of data you
    need to collect and how, where, and when you will collect the data. If
    you plan to use a survey or questionnaire, include a copy of that
    instrument in an appendix to your report. Also, include a copy of your
    cover letter for your survey. If you plan to interview, tell if it would
    be structured or unstructured and why. If it is a structured interview,
    include the questions you would ask in an appendix to the report.
  • Data Analysis Methods – Describe the techniques you
    will use to analyze the data. Indicate why you selected those methods
    and why they are appropriate. You must be specific and detailed in
    identifying and justifying the processes and statistical tests you will
    use in the analysis of your data.
  • References – Your report must contain a reference section that includes all sources in your paper. References must be in APA format.

    Research Methodology & Analysis Report Rubric
    Research Methodology & Analysis Report Rubric

    Criteria
    Ratings
    Pts


    This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

    Study Design


    10.0
    pts

    Problem
    and hypothesis are correctly stated. Good concise statements of the
    type of data to be collected, and summary of how it would be collected
    and analyzed.

    6.0
    pts

    Problem
    and hypothesis are correctly stated. Statements of the type of data to
    be collected, and summary of how it would be collected and analyzed
    misses some key points.

    4.0
    pts

    Problem
    and hypothesis are stated but with errors. There are substantial errors
    in the statements of the type of data to be collected, and summary of
    how it would be collected and analyzed.

    0.0
    pts

    Problem
    and hypothesis are not stated. The statements of the type of data to be
    collected, and summary of how it would be collected and analyzed are
    missing or totally erroneous.
    10.0 pts

    This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

    Population and Sample


    10.0
    pts

    Accurately describes the population and the sample and how the sample will be selected.

    6.0
    pts

    Population and sample and how the sample will be selected are described with a few minor errors.

    4.0
    pts

    There are major errors in the description of the population and sample and/or how the sample will be selected.

    0.0
    pts

    Little or no attempt is made to describe the population and sample or the descriptions are totally inaccurate.
    10.0 pts

    This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

    Variables and Measures


    20.0
    pts

    All
    variables are accurately described and classification as to whether they
    are independent, dependent, moderating, or intervening variables are
    accurate. Relationships among variables are described and accurate.
    Accurate descriptions of how variables will be measured are given.

    12.0
    pts

    Variable
    descriptions and relationships are mostly accurate with minor errors.
    Descriptions of how variables will be measured are mostly accurate with
    minor errors.

    8.0
    pts

    There
    are major errors in the descriptions of variables and their
    relationships as well as in the descriptions of how they will be
    measured.

    0.0
    pts

    Little
    or no attempt is made to describe the variables, their relationships,
    or how they will be measured, or descriptions are completely inaccurate.
    20.0 pts

    This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

    Data Collection Methods


    20.0
    pts

    Accurate
    description of the kind of data needed to complete the study and how
    the data will be collected are given. In the case of surveys and
    questionnaires, a copy is included in an appendix and surveys or
    questionnaires are well formulated. For structured interviews, proposed
    interview questions are included and well formulated.

    12.0
    pts

    Description
    of the kind of data needed to complete the study and how the data will
    be collected are mostly accurate with some minor errors. In the case of
    surveys and questionnaires, a copy is included in an appendix and
    surveys or questionnaires contain only minor errors. For structured
    interviews, proposed interview questions are included and contain only
    minor errors.

    8.0
    pts

    There
    are substantial errors in the description of the kind of data needed to
    complete the study and how the data will be collected. In the case of
    surveys and questionnaires, a copy is included in an appendix but
    includes numerous errors. For structured interviews, proposed interview
    questions are included but contain numerous errors.

    0.0
    pts

    No
    attempt is made to describe the kind of data needed to complete the
    study and how the data will be collected. Copies of surveys,
    questionnaires, or structured interview questions are not included.
    20.0 pts

    This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

    Data Analysis Methods


    20.0
    pts

    Proposed
    techniques for analyzing the data are appropriate and fully and
    accurately described along with an explanation of why the techniques
    were chosen and why they are appropriate for the study.

    12.0
    pts

    Most
    techniques described are appropriate with some minor errors. Explanation
    of why the techniques are appropriate and why they were chosen misses
    some key elements.

    8.0
    pts

    Many
    techniques described are inappropriate. Explanation of why the
    techniques are appropriate and why they were chosen is sketchy and omits
    many key elements.

    0.0
    pts

    Analysis
    techniques are either inappropriate or not given. No explanation of why
    the techniques were chosen or why they are appropriate is given.
    20.0 pts

    This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

    References and Formatting


    10.0
    pts

    Consistently
    applied APA guidelines in regards to all aspects of the paper including
    citations, references, headings, page numbers, and running headers.

    6.0
    pts

    Manuscript conformed to most APA guidelines

    4.0
    pts

    Weak, incomplete, ambiguous, or inconsistent application of APA formatting.

    0.0
    pts

    Failure to apply APA rules for manuscript presentation.
    10.0 pts

    This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

    Writing and Timeliness


    10.0
    pts

    Consistently
    applied standards of English composition. There were no grammatical,
    spelling and/or punctuation errors and transitional phrases were used to
    guide the reader throughout the text. Assignment submitted on time.

    6.0
    pts

    Paper
    conformed to most standards of English composition. There was an
    occasional grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation error. Timeliness of
    delivery was acceptable.

    4.0
    pts

    Weak,
    incomplete, ambiguous, or inconsistent application of rules of English
    composition. There were frequent grammatical, spelling and/or
    punctuation errors. Delivery was delinquent.

    0.0
    pts

    Failure
    to apply standard rules for English composition. There were many
    grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors that distracted the
    reader from the content of the writing. Delivery was delinquent
    10.0 pts
    Total Points:

    100.0