Research Topic Proposal and Rationale[WLOs: 3, 4] [CLOs: 3, 4, 6]
Prior to beginning work on this assignment read the articles Why Zika Virus Infection Has Become a Public Health Concern?Links to an external site. and A Guide to Critiquing a Research Paper on Clinical Supervision: Enhancing Skills for Practice Download A Guide to Critiquing a Research Paper on Clinical Supervision: Enhancing Skills for Practice. Additionally, read Chapter 17 from the book Research Methods in Social Relations.
The final paper for this course is a research design proposal. Each week, you will work on a section of the proposed design. This week, you will propose a health-related research topic and include the topic, the rationale for the topic, and the summarization of the need for the research. Please note: Your instructor will approve your topic or provide directions to resubmit the proposal.
Basic research investigates new knowledge about a phenomenon. The research question guides the research process and helps direct the process of data collection and should be clearly stated and testable. Some examples include the following:
- How prevalent is the Zika virus?
- Which method of drug delivery works best to prevent the flu?
- Do integrated computerized technologies at the point of care improve patient outcomes?
- What peer support interventions prevent suicide in high school students?
For this assignment, you will submit a description of the topic that you will focus on for the final paper and a preliminary research question that will guide your paper. The research question will likely change and evolve as you read the literature on your topic, but it is important to have a research question to guide your reading and research focus. You will need to articulate your rationale for the need for your study and how your approach will contribute to the larger body of knowledge on the topic. You will also submit a list of search terms that you will use to find peer-reviewed articles on your topic in the University of Arizona Global Campus Library. You may wish to access the tutorial Keywords Are CriticalLinks to an external site. to assist you with the process of generating keywords. Your instructor will give the final approval for your topic and offer guidance for finding research articles. It is recommended to use the following PICO method to develop your research proposal:
P-Population -What specific patient population are you interested in?
I-Intervention (intervention clinical students only)- What is your investigational intervention?
C-Comparison Group -What is the main alternative to compare with the intervention?
O-Outcome of Interest -What do you intend to accomplish, measure, improve, or affect?
T-Time -What is the appropriate follow-up time to assess the outcome?
In your paper, complete the following,
- State the topic you are planning to focus on for the final project.
- List the topic-related search terms you plan to use to find peer-reviewed articles for your final paper.
- Articulate a research question based on your chosen topic.
- Rationalize the need for the study or research on your selected topic.
The Research Topic Proposal and Rationale Paper
- must be three to four double-spaced pages in length (not including title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA StyleLinks to an external site. as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA Formatting for Microsoft WordLinks to an external site. resource.
- must include a separate title page with the following:
- title of paper in bold font
- space should appear between the title and the rest of the information on the title page.
- student’s name
- name of institution (The University of Arizona Global Campus)
- course name and number
- instructor’s name
- due date
- title of paper in bold font
- must utilize academic voice. See the Academic VoiceLinks to an external site. resource for additional guidance.
- must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph.
- Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.
- For assistance on writing Introductions & ConclusionsLinks to an external site. and Writing a Thesis StatementLinks to an external site., refer to the Writing Center resources.
- must use at least four scholarly sources in addition to the course text.
- The Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible SourcesLinks to an external site. table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source.
- To assist you in completing the research required for this assignment, view Quick and Easy Library ResearchLinks to an external site. tutorial, which introduces the University of Arizona Global Campus Library and the research process and provides some library search tips.
- must document any information used from sources in APA Style as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA: Citing Within Your PaperLinks to an external site. guide.
- must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA Style as outlined in the Writing Center.
- See the APA: Formatting Your References ListLinks to an external site. resource in the Writing Center for specifications.
Carefully review the Grading RubricLinks to an external site. for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
