For this second stage of Assignment 2 you will describe your research methodology, and design a survey instrument that can be used in your study. In this second stage, you should have already by now developed a specific research hypothesis and identified the major concepts in your study, indicating how they are to be operationalized. You should now specify your primary data collection method and your sampling procedures. In addition, you should present your survey instrument and provide sample questions. This stage, therefore, builds on the previous one. When you submit your assignment, include your work for stage 1, as revised to incorporate suggested improvements, adding your work for stage 2 to it. Therefore in addition to your revised stage 1, submit:

1.  Research Design (1 page). Describe your research design and data collection method, such as the survey method, and indicate how it will be implemented or administered in your specific project.

2.  Sample (1 page). Specify your sample in terms of how it will be selected, whether it is random, systematic or otherwise, whether you have a sampling frame or not, the criteria for inclusion/ exclusion, and the size of the sample. Justify each of these decisions..

3. Other Methodological Issues (1-2 pages). Indicate any additional concerns you have regarding methodological issues in your study, such as your response rate, sampling bias, respondent bias, dependent variables, and potential administrative problems.

4. Human Subjects Issues (1 page). What level of IRB review is required and why (check BMC IRB Policies and Procedures). Indicate about how much time each respondent will devote to the research; how data will be collected and recorded (with or without identifiers); methods for preserving confidentiality and any limitations to confidentiality; any benefits that will accrue to participants, including payment arrangements; and any pre-existing relationship between you and the respondents, how this relationship might affect the respondents’ ability to participate voluntarily, and how you will handle this.

5. Survey Instrument (minimum of 15 questions). Provide sample items for your survey instrument to be used in your study. You should use mostly close-ended questions. Also include instructions to respondents or recorders. Give thought to the physical appearance of the survey to maximize accuracy and ease in administration. Be sure questions and items are worded in ways to minimize bias and maximize validity and reliability.
 
 

(F00132Ass2Stg2.doc)