Cover page

Introduction
The first paragraph of this paper should introduce your topic. What is your topic? Why is it
important? (provide evidence)
Literature Review
This needs to be based on at least five articles from peer-reviewed journals. Consider the
following:
• Justify selecting these five articles, including description of search strategy and
selection criteria, as well as the articles' key characteristics (publication dates,
research methods, etc.)
• Do not review each article individually – look for shared themes and construct
paragraphs around those, noting points of agreement and disagreement e.g. Smith
(2105) and Jones (2016) both contend that chocolate buttons are superior in taste
and texture to their bar equivalents, although Wayne (2017) argues that it is only the
taste which is appreciably better, and not the texture. Make sure that you use the
articles to establish the value of your topic area.
• Note any methodological strengths and weaknesses, especially ones your approach
could address by using a survey.
• Identify the research gaps in your papers which lead you to your hypothesis.

Research Question/Hypothesis
Clearly state your research question and hypothesis.
• Use the If…, then…, because… formula
• Explain the plausibility and testability of your hypothesis and explicitly state your
independent and dependent variables.

Methodology
Study Design: describe your study design. Reflect on the pros and cons of the study design
in comparison to others to explain why you chose the design. Think about the advantages
and disadvantages of the following:
• Access to & relationships with participants
• Data quality
• Practical implementation
• Ethical considerations
• Research value (generalizability, addressing research gap, etc)

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Sampling: include sampling methods, sample size, sampling frame, and
inclusion/exclusion criteria. It is likely you will be using a form of convenience sampling, so
think about the following points:
• Transparency about limitations
o Openly acknowledge potential bias in the sample
o Recognition that results may not be generalizable
• Clear inclusion/exclusion criteria
o Defined age ranges
o Specific relationship categories (immediate family, extended family,
classmates)
o Exclusion criteria
• Ethical considerations
o Measures to prevent coercion due to personal relationships
o Clear process for participants to decline without damaging relationships
o Protection of family/peer privacy and confidentiality – how are you going to
maintain their anonymity?
• Sample size justification
o Appropriate size for the research method (minimum 30)
o Clear rationale for number of participants
• Documentation quality
o Detailed description of recruitment process
o Clear tracking of response rates
o Documentation of those who declined

Data collection: describe the tools used in your research (e.g., surveys, interviews). Include
information on validity and reliability. Cite scales used to evaluate independent and
dependent variables and justify any adaptations made to the scales. Make sure that:
• The survey instrument starts with an introduction to the study and a statement that
indicates informed consent is assumed when the participant responds to the survey
• The survey should include 15-25 questions, excluding demographic questions.
Please ensure you have open-ended and close-ended questions. The questions
may be replicated from published studies (with citations).
• Pilot test the survey. A pilot test is a preliminary small-scale trial run of your
research methods before conducting the full study. Think of it as a dress rehearsal
that helps identify potential problems. What makes a good pilot test:
o Representative sample: uses participants similar to your target population
o Adequate size: usually 10-20% of your planned full sample
o Complete run-through: tests all aspects of your study (recruitment,
instruments, analysis)

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 o Feedback collection: actively seeks input from participants about clarity and
process
o Timing assessment: measures how long different components take
o Clear objectives: specific aspects you want to evaluate

Data analysis: briefly describe the plan to analyse your data

Results
In the results section you are providing an objective view of your results. Please provide the
following information:
• The number of respondents
• A breakdown of the descriptive statistics for your quantitative data, including
o Sample demographics
▪ Total number of participants (n=)
▪ Key demographic breakdowns (age ranges, gender, relevant groups)
▪ Response rates
▪ Missing data or exclusions, if any
o Central tendency measures
▪ Mean (average)
▪ Median (middle value)
▪ Mode (most frequent value)
o Spread/dispersion
▪ Range (highest to lowest values)
▪ Standard deviation
▪ Variance if relevant
• An analysis of the qualitative data and emerging themes. Your thematic analysis
description should consider the following:
o Analysis process
▪ Steps taken to familiarize with data
▪ How initial codes were generated
▪ Process of refining themes
o Theme structure
▪ Main themes identified, including definition and connection to
research questions and literature review
▪ Sub-themes under each main theme
▪ Relationships between themes
o Hierarchy or importance of themes
o Supporting evidence
▪ Direct quotes supporting each theme
▪ Frequency of theme occurrence

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 ▪ Context of key examples
o Theme validation
▪ How themes were checked/verified, such as the use of any peer
review process to determine inter-rater reliability
▪ Alternative interpretations considered
▪ Treatment of contradictory data
• Present two to three visualizations conveying relationships or trends in your data.
Apply best practices for each as identified numerous times in comments on
assignments 1 and 2
• Provide a narrative on the relationship between the independent and dependent
variables
Discussion
• Discuss which results support or do not support your hypothesis, connecting
findings back to the literature.
• Acknowledge the study limitations.
• Explore the broader significance of your findings.
• Suggest areas for further investigation.

Conclusion
Summarize the main findings and their significance, and reiterate the importance of the
research.
Appendices
Appendix A: Hypotheses Selection: Describe all hypotheses proposed by each student in
the group and explain how/ why the final choice was made (approx. 150 words). Include
initials for each contribution.
Appendix B: Division of Labor: Describe how tasks were divided. Note that students who do
not contribute sufficiently may receive lowers scores (approx. 150 words).
Appendix C: Survey Questions: List at least 15 proposed survey questions. Include initials
for each contribution. Each student should have proposed at least five questions, even if
they were not included in the final survey.
Appendix D: Data Collection Instrument: Include a copy of the data collection instrument
used and the tools cited.
Appendix E: Raw Data: Provide raw data for visualizations and describe the tools used for
their creation.
Appendix F: Draft ethics request form for students
Appendix G: CITI certificates of all members