Week 6 Research Proposal Ashford University Assignment Submi
Week 6 Research Proposalashford University Assignment Submission Wee
The written research proposal will be created based on a narrowly defined aspect of the topic selected in Week One. A research proposal is a detailed plan for a specific study to be conducted at a future time. It is the document which potential researchers typically submit to an institutional review board (IRB) for ethical review and approval, and/or to funding agencies to secure financial support for a research effort. Because it is a plan for research which has not yet been conducted, the Methods section should be written in the future tense and should not contain any hypothetical results.
The paper must address all of the components required in the Methods section of a research proposal. The following actions must be completed. State the research question and/or hypothesis. Briefly compare the characteristics of the major research paradigms used in previous studies on the chosen topic. Introduce the specific approach (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods), research design, sampling strategy, data collection procedures, and data analysis techniques to be used in this study.
Provide a short explanation as to why the selected procedures are more feasible than other alternatives for the research topic. Describe any relevant variables, measures, and statistical tests. Apply ethical principles and professional standards to the proposed psychological research. Provide an analysis of any ethical issues that may arise and explain how these issues will be resolved. The following headings for the required sections and subsections must appear in the paper.
In accordance with APA style, all references listed must be cited in the text of the paper. Introduction Introduce the research topic, explain why it is important, and present an appropriately and narrowly defined research question and/or hypothesis. Literature Review Evaluate the published research on the chosen topic including a minimum of three peer-reviewed articles. Summarize the current state of knowledge on the topic, making reference to the findings of previous research studies. Briefly mention the research methods that have previously been used to study the topic.
State whether the proposed study is a replication of a previous study or a new approach employing methods that have not been used before. Be sure to properly cite all sources in APA style. Methods Design – Create a feasible research design that incorporates appropriate methods to address the topic. Indicate whether the approach of the proposed study is qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Identify the specific research design, and indicate whether it is experimental or non-experimental.
Evaluate the chosen design and explain why this design is feasible and appropriate for the topic and how it will provide the information needed to answer the research question. Cite sources on research methodology to support these choices. Include a minimum of two peer-reviewed sources. Participants – Identify and describe the sampling strategy to be used to recruit participants for the study. Estimate the number of participants needed, and explain why this sampling method is appropriate for the research design and approach.
Procedure/Measures – Apply the scientific method by describing the steps to be taken in carrying out the study. Identify any test, questionnaire, or measurement instrument to be utilized. If an existing published instrument will be employed, briefly describe it and cite the source. If an original questionnaire, survey, or test will be created for the project, describe the types of information that will be collected with it and explain how the validity and reliability of the instrument will be established. If such an instrument will not be used, describe how the data will be collected for the study.
Data Analysis – Describe the statistical techniques (if quantitative) or the analysis procedure (if qualitative) to be used to analyze the data. Cite at least one peer-reviewed source on the chosen analysis technique. Ethical Issues – Analyze the impact of ethical concerns on the proposed study, such as confidentiality, deception, informed consent, potential harm to participants, conflict of interest, IRB approval, etc. After analyzing the ethical issues that apply to the project, indicate what will be done to handle these concerns. Conclusion Briefly summarize the major points of the paper and reiterate why the proposed study is needed.
Attention Students: The Masters of Arts in Psychology program is utilizing the Pathbrite portfolio tool as a repository for student scholarly work in the form of signature assignments completed within the program. After receiving feedback for this Research Proposal, please implement any changes recommended by the instructor, go to Pathbrite, and upload the revised Research Proposal to the portfolio. Use the Pathbrite Quick-Start Guide to create an account if you do not already have one. The upload of signature assignments will take place after completing each course. Be certain to upload revised signature assignments throughout the program as the portfolio and its contents will be used in other courses and may be used by individual students as a professional resource tool.
See the Pathbrite website for information and further instructions on using this portfolio tool. The Research Proposal Must be five to seven double-spaced pages (excluding title page and references page) in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Must include a title page with the following: Title of paper, Student’s name, Course name and number, Instructor’s name, Date submitted. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought and provide a thorough explanation of all required issues. Must utilize a minimum of six peer-reviewed sources from the Ashford University Library. Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Paper For Above instruction
The proposed research aims to investigate the impact of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on reducing anxiety levels among college students. With anxiety disorders rising at an alarming rate among this demographic, understanding effective intervention strategies is crucial for mental health professionals and educators alike. The core research question guiding this study is: "Does participation in mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduce anxiety levels among college students compared to a control group?" The hypothesis posits that college students engaged in MBIs will exhibit a greater decrease in anxiety symptoms than those not participating in such interventions.
Literature Review
Previous research demonstrates that mindfulness practices can substantially lower anxiety symptoms in diverse populations. Kabat-Zinn (1994) pioneered the application of mindfulness in clinical settings, showing its potential to alleviate stress and anxiety. Subsequent studies, such as Hofmann, Sawyer, Witt, and Oh (2010), provided meta-analytic evidence confirming the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in reducing anxiety disorders. Additionally, Gärling and Persson (2020) explored mindfulness interventions among college students, finding significant improvements in anxiety and overall well-being. The research methods employed range from randomized controlled trials to longitudinal observational studies, illustrating the versatility of approaches used in examining mindfulness effects. The proposed study builds upon these prior investigations by employing a quantitative experimental design to determine causality and effectiveness specifically within the college student population.
Methods
Design
The study will adopt a quantitative, non-experimental, randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. This approach allows for rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of MBIs by comparing pre- and post-intervention anxiety levels between experimental and control groups (Creswell, 2014). The RCT design is feasible given the accessibility of college students and existing mindfulness programs on campus. It provides the most robust evidence for causality, aligning with the research aims.
Participants
A sample of 100 college students will be recruited via campus advertisements and emails. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the MBI group or the control group. The sample size was determined based on power analysis indicating adequate statistical power to detect medium effect sizes (Cohen, 1988). The stratified random sampling technique ensures balanced demographic representation, which enhances generalizability.
Procedure/Measures
Participants in the MBI group will attend an 8-week mindfulness training program, composed of weekly 1-hour sessions. The control group will receive no intervention but will be offered the program after study completion. Anxiety levels will be measured using the validated Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale (Spitzer et al., 2006), administered before and after the intervention. The instrument's reliability and validity make it suitable for assessing change over time.
Data Analysis
Data will be analyzed using multiple regression analyses to evaluate the impact of the intervention on anxiety scores, controlling for baseline anxiety levels. Effect size calculations will determine the practical significance of findings (Field, 2013). The use of these statistical techniques is supported by prior research examining similar interventions.
Ethical Issues
Ethical considerations include ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw without penalty. Potential risks involve psychological distress during mindfulness training, which will be mitigated by providing resources for support and debriefing. IRB approval will be obtained before the study commences. Participants will be de-identified to protect their privacy, and data will be securely stored following institutional standards.
Conclusion
This study seeks to contribute valuable insights into the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for reducing anxiety among college students. Given the increasing prevalence of anxiety disorders, establishing evidence-based strategies is a pressing need. Employing a rigorous randomized controlled trial design will provide definitive data on causality and efficacy, informing future mental health programs on campuses.
References
- Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Routledge.
- Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage Publications.
- Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. Sage Publications.
- Gärling, T., & Persson, J. (2020). Mindfulness interventions among college students: Effects on anxiety and well-being. Journal of College Health, 68(4), 385–393.
- Hofmann, S. G., Sawyer, A. T., Witt, A. A., & Oh, D. (2010). The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(2), 169–183.
- Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. Hyperion.
- Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B., & Löwe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: The GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092–1097.