Ed504 Research Project Outline: Three-Part Stage

Ed504 Research Project Outlinethere Are Three Parts To Stage 1

There are three parts to Stage 1 of the ED504 Research Project Outline. The purpose of the outline is to help candidates solidify a topic and approach to a research project for addressing an existing problem in the environment of their field of study. The problem must be identified and supported by existing data and should be applicable to the candidate’s field of study (i.e., library media, counseling, teaching). Remember, this is an outline. You need to provide sufficient detail to inform your instructor, but responses are not fully fleshed out.

The complete details are provided in the Research Proposal and not here in the outline. To provide better guidance, responses to questions in the outline should not exceed one paragraph.

Paper For Above instruction

In the first part of the research outline, titled Data Gathering/Analysis, the candidate is tasked with identifying and analyzing a specific problem or weakness within their field of study. This involves utilizing data previously collected at the classroom, school, or district level to justify the selected topic. The problem should be one that can be addressed through an experimental research design. The candidate needs to articulate the problem with a clear statement, such as the ineffectiveness of current exercise routines that mix aerobics and general exercise training, which are supposed to control weight, boost energy, combat health conditions, and improve sleep. Additionally, a hypothesis should be formulated, for example, that daily exercise routines can help individuals manage health problems.

The candidate is required to explain how they determined this was a problem through literature review and state the purpose of the study, which might be to offer suggestions on conducting effective exercise routines to improve health outcomes. A graphical representation of the data, such as a chart illustrating the effects of exercise on weight loss, should be constructed, including data sources and credibility. The discussion of this data must demonstrate that a significant problem or weakness exists that fits within the scope of the project, highlighting relevant patterns such as the link between ineffective exercise routines and health issues like obesity and cardiovascular disease.

The second part involves a literature review, where the candidate must present a focused discussion on best practices and theoretical frameworks relevant to the problem. This includes identifying scientifically supported practices, such as engaging in at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity weekly and strength training twice a week, justified with scholarly sources. The review also involves selecting a theoretical model, like the self-determination theory, to validate the chosen practices, supported by recent scholarly work. The candidate should compile at least ten recent scholarly references that connect logically with the practice or theory used to address the problem.

Furthermore, the literature review summarizes how all these sources substantiate the need for the study by synthesizing key themes—such as the benefits of regular exercise for weight maintenance, sleep quality, and cardiovascular health—and demonstrating gaps or inconsistencies that their research aims to address.

The third part of the outline is about methodology and action plan. The candidate must design a practical, measurable, and executable research plan, specifying the target population (inactive adults aged 18-40), the sampling technique (random sampling to minimize bias), and participant roles—all while emphasizing confidentiality and harm prevention. The sequence of research steps should be logically laid out, from problem identification, hypothesis formation, participant selection, data collection, to data analysis, conclusion, and data disposal. Justification of these steps must be provided, explaining how they relate to the problem and anticipated outcomes on health or student achievement. Key terms such as physical activity, exercise training, timing, and variables (independent: timing of activity; dependent: sleep quality, cardiac rhythm, weight loss) must be clearly defined. Data collection methods include instruments like scales, PSQI, and Holter monitors, with considerations for validity and reliability. The outline should also acknowledge potential threats to internal validity, like measurement errors, and external interferences, such as diet, with plans to control for these factors.

References

• Brand, R., & Cheval, B. (2019). Theories to explain exercise motivation and physical inactivity: Ways of expanding our current theoretical perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 10.
• Clifton, P. M. (2019). Diet, exercise and weight loss and dyslipidaemia. Pathology, 51(2), 222–226.
• Foright, R. M., Presby, D. M., Sherk, V. D., et al. (2018). Is regular exercise an effective strategy for weight loss maintenance? Physiology & Behavior, 188, 86–93.
• Hower, I. M., Harper, S. A., & Buford, T. W. (2018). Circadian rhythms, exercise, and cardiovascular health. Journal of Circadian Rhythms, 16(1).
• Lederman, O., Ward, P. B., Firth, J., et al. (2019). Does exercise improve sleep quality in individuals with mental illness? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 109, 96–106.
• Lowe, H., Haddock, G., Mulligan, L. D., et al. (2019). Does exercise improve sleep for adults with insomnia? A systematic review with quality appraisal. Clinical Psychology Review, 68, 1–12.
• Mears, J., & Kilpatrick, M. (2008). Motivation for exercise. ACSM'S Health & Fitness Journal, 12(1), 20–26.
• Schumacher, L. M., Thomas, J. G., Wing, R. R., et al. (2021). Sustaining regular exercise during weight loss maintenance: The role of consistent exercise timing. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 18(10), 1253–1260.
• Swift, D. L., McGee, J. E., Earnest, C. P., et al. (2018). The effects of exercise and physical activity on weight loss and maintenance. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 61(2), 206–213.
• Willis, E. A., Creasy, S. A., Honas, J. J., et al. (2019). The effects of exercise session timing on weight loss and components of energy balance: Midwest exercise trial 2. International Journal of Obesity, 44(1), 114–124.