A Strong Statemen of a Systematic - Research Paper Example

? TRUE EXPERIMENT RESEARCH PROPOSAL Research entails the process of carrying out a systematic investigation aiming at substantiating one or more claims in any academic or professional discipline. Research exercise supplements a mechanism through which scholars and professionals can gather knowledge on new or existing phenomena. Academic disciplines may make claims or postulates relating to some observed state of affairs within the discipline’s context. In order to substantiate such postulates, one should carry out a research exercise and produce comprehensive information that serves to convince the interested parties on the validity of an underlying postulate. Psychology, especially social psychology involves the study of individuals’ behavioral pattern within a social setting (Michael, 2009). Social scientists strive to understand the nature and causes of behavioral patterns displayed by members of the society. In this regard, psychologists’ aims at understanding people by carrying out studies focused on individuals’ minds. In psychology, research is helpful in studying the relationship that exists between two or more elements within the society. A systematic research exercise proves helpful in substantiating psychological claims relating to behaviors of individuals within any given social setting. In this regard, social scientists employ research processes in the development and advancement of psychological knowledge (Michael, 2009). This proposal seeks to provide an illustration effect on the application of research in explaining psychological concepts. Research Statement A systematic research exercise should have a strong statement, which provides an insight and direction on the purpose of that exercise. A research question will serve to develop a specific description of an underlying topic of study. For clarity purposes, every research exercise should begin by providing a basis of study insinuated through a research statement and a research question. Based on these acknowledgements, this research proposal adopts the importance of self-help books to the self-actualization process of individuals in the society as the research statement. Numerous studies and theoretical information insinuates a relationship between the use of self-help materials and self-actualization developmental process (William, 2011). The question is, Do the use of self-help resources increases the chances of self-actualization? This entire research will seek to provide a comprehensive response to this question. Every step taken should incline its purpose to contributing towards answering the question. This proposal adopts the statement that use of self-help materials increases the probability of achieving self-actualization goals within a reasonable period. Now, we will formulate a systematic research exercise meant to answer the underlying question adequately and to develop the validity of the research statement. For objectivity and professional purposes, it is inherent that a research adopts the elements of an ideal scientific research process (Michael, 2009). Therefore, this proposal employs scientific research procedures throughout the process. This starts with describing objectives of the entire exercises with respect to psychology. Objectives Just like any other systematic process of developing knowledge, coherent objectives will provide guidance to this research exercise. These objectives define the purpose of this exercise and its relevance within the psychology context. The goals will incline to the statement and the research questions stated in the preceding paragraph. This research seeks to develop the validity of a claim. Therefore, goals and benchmarks ensure objectivity and rationality of the research findings. One objective in this research is to develop a relationship between the use of self-help resource materials and attainment of self-actualization (Leonard, 2006). Upon establishing the objectives, this research seeks to determine the extent or level of relationship that exists between these two elements. This will involve substantiating the extent to which one element contained in the research statement depends on the other element. Upon completion of the exercise, this proposal should provide a coherent and convincing account on the relationship between the underlying variables in the statement (Leonard, 2006). Providing a comprehensive explanation serves as an indication of the success level of research. Therefore, this exercise will stick to these objectives and strive to address each objective explicitly upon completion and presentation of the consequential results. Now that the objectives are clear, this proposal moves to the research body. This research exercise employs elements of ideal scientific research exercise (Michael, 2009). Therefore, we will begin by developing a research methodology, which is a requisite element in scientific research processes. Research Methodology In a research exercise, a methodology describes the procedure used throughout the process. Therefore, this methodology section provides an insight into the procedures and techniques applicable in responding to the stated objectives. To establish the relationship between the variables stated in the statement in an objective manner, it would be appropriate to adopt a quantitative research procedure. Quantitative research method employs the aspect of measurements and statistical calculations in explaining a claim. Statistical calculations and mathematical theories serve to provide an objective account concerning the relationship between variables. Therefore, this research will involve the collection of statistical data that will facilitate application of mathematical and computational theories. The most appropriate design to this quantitative method is the true-experiment research design (Koblenz, 2007). Research Design True experiment supports collection of statistical data and application of statistical data calculation techniques in developing knowledge. In this regard, the design will involve development of both experimental and control groups during the research process. In addition, this research will adopt the technique of random assignment in placing participants into either of the groups. This design also involves the development of a testable hypothesis that a research will either approve or reject upon completion of the exercise (Koblenz, 2007). Within the hypothesis statement, I will evaluate the elements of independent and the dependent variables. With respect to the method and design described above, this research will require experiment exercises that will facilitate collection of statistical data. Therefore, I will obtain a sample from an appropriate population with participants possessing typical characteristics relating to the underlying variables. I will acquire a representative sample with the help of suitable sampling techniques like random sampling. Upon creation of a sample, the exercise extends towards the stages of data collection, data analysis and finally interpretation. At this moment in the proposal, it is timely to contemplate on developing a research hypothesis. Hypothesis Hypothetical or true experiment designs operate with a research hypothesis. Hypothesis provides directions on where the entire experiments should be heading. It also provides definite and purposive effect on the entire process (Koblenz, 2007). From a theoretical perspective, a research hypothesis is a declarative statement asserting the validity of a certain claim. Hypothesis provides the basis of quantitative and experimental processes of establishing facts of any underlying concept. A valid hypothesis statement should possess characteristics that will facilitate actualization of the testing procedure. Some of these elements include independent and dependent variables. I will achieve a comprehensive description of these variables in succeeding paragraphs. A hypothesis statement should relate to both the research statement and the research question. Since this research is of experimental design, a hypothesis statement will serve to provide the required directional effect. The statement states that use of self-help resource materials facilitates realization of self-actualization among individuals in the society. Numerous research findings show that a positive relationship that exists between the variables of the statement (Michael, 2009). Therefore, a viable hypothesis statement with respect to the research question states that professionals who read self-help books on a regular basis achieves the self-actualization status faster than those who do not read these books. This hypothesis forms the backbone of this psychological research. Every procedure that follows aims at contributing towards approval or rejection of this statement. Collection and application of statistical data facilitates development of an objective standpoint regarding this hypothesis statement. Upon completion of the exercise, the findings will either approve the hypothesis or reject it. Approval means that the findings agree with the statement while rejection means that the findings reflect an opposite trend to that asserted by the statement (Michael, 2009). Before embarking to creating a sample, we will evaluate the hypothesis statement for elements of independent and dependent variables. Dependent and Independent Variables For the purpose of viability, a research hypothesis should possess both an independent and a dependent variable. Quantitative data collected from the field aims at developing a relationship between these two variables. In a hypothesis, an independent variable is a variable that determines the behavioral trend taken by the other variable if its status changes (Koblenz, 2007). During a research, a researcher can manipulate the independent variable in order to obtain the trend depicted by the dependent variable. On the contrary, a dependent variable changes either correspondingly or in the opposite direction when the independent element changes. A hypothesis statement should contain these two variables in order to stand a research test. In this proposal, the underlying hypothesis contains both the dependent and the independent variables. Reading of self-help books is the independent variable in the statement. A research can manipulate this element in order to observe the trend depicted by the other variable. On the other hand, status of self-actualization is the dependent variable. The statement postulates that regular and intensive use of self-help books facilitates realization of self-actualization. Therefore, varying the amount of books used results in a corresponding variation in the self-actualization status of an individual. These variables will enable the establishment of an effect-casual relationship. Having established a coherent and testable hypothesis, the next step entails identification of an appropriate population and acquisition of a representative sample from the identified population (Koblenz, 2007). Population and Sampling An integrated professional environment is the most appropriate population for establishing the relationship between self-help materials and the concept of self-actualization (Wayne, 2010). Based on this statement, this research operates in a manufacturing organization comprising of employees handling duties of various professions. Kimberley electronic manufacturing company has a work force comprising of managers, engineers, economists, accountants and marketing personnel, among other professionals. The company has a workforce of 2000 employees. Conducting a research on this entire population will be expensive in terms of finance and time. In this regard, a researcher cannot perform data collection exercise on the entire population. This calls for creation of a representative sample that will provide both a control group and an experimental group. For economical purposes, this research studies 50 professionals out of the entire workforce. Random sampling techniques provide a representative. Random sampling provides an opportunity for every employee to appear in the respondents group (Patricia, 2011). I acquired lists from each department containing the names of employees working under that department. I selected ten employees from each department in the company, which included engineers, marketers, managers, economists and accountants. In order to apply the random sampling procedure, I assigned random numbers to names of employees appearing in each departmental list. In the sampling process, I acquired both senior and subordinate professionals from each department. The sample comprised of 20 female and 30 male employees. Before initiating the data collection exercise, I used random assignment technique to create both the experiment and the control groups (Michael, 2009). Experimental and Control Groups True experiment designs deals with collection of information by conducting an actual experiment on the subject population. Therefore, an experimental group enables a researcher to study the behavioral pattern of a variable. In order to develop a contrast between the intensity and effects of a variable within a population, a researcher should develop a control group. Experimental group receives treatment or manipulation on a variable. On the contrary, the purpose of a control group is to create a comparison. This group will not receive the treatment of a variable in order to create a baseline on which to compare the results obtained from the experimental group. Just like random sampling, random assignment presents participants in a sample with equal opportunities of appearing in either an experimental group or a control group. I employed random assignment in creating two groups containing equal participants. In order to achieve effective random assignment, I tossed a coin for every pair of employees whereby a head in the first employee earns him/her a place in an experiment group and a tail means a control group. Since this is a quantitative research, the variables will be manipulated in the experimental group for a period of 2 weeks while the control group will not experience manipulation of any variable. At this juncture, I will move to the data collection exercise. Data Collection Before data collection, the research team assured participants of the confidentiality of information submitted during the exercise. In addition, the tools and environmental contexts used in obtaining the information were friendly and could not cause any physical or psychological harm to the participants (Thomasina, 2010). Safety measures employed included a provision of comfortable sitting and writing logistics during the filling of questionnaires period. This exercise involved acquisition of first hand data from the participants and acquisition of supporting statistics from other sources. Therefore, the data collection exercise utilized both primary and secondary sources. Before embarking on data collection exercise, it is inherent to acknowledge that this research entails studying the use of self-help books as an independent variable and attainment of self-actualization as the dependent variable. Therefore, data collected will relate to these two variables. Secondary data resulted from analysis of company’s records concerning the provision of self-help materials, especially books, to employees (Itai, 2008). In addition, every department of Kimberley maintains records on the status and indications of self-actualization attainment among every employee. The research group collected statistical values concerning the amount of books used by employees and the degree of the self-actualization depicted by the same professionals. On primary sources, the participants in the experimental group filled questionnaires with questions relating to the two variables. In the questionnaire, some questions required participants to specify the number of self-help books they had read in their entire career. In addition some questions focused on the aspect of self actualization. The questions used likert scale in determining the score of each participant with respect to every statement. Some of the questions in the questionnaire which used closed ended or likert scale included; 1) How many self-help books do you read in a month? {None}{1}{2-3}{More than 4} 2) I like reading self-help books that related to my career {Strongly Agree}{Agree}{Neutral}{Disagree}{Strongly Disagree} 3) I have achieved my professional objectives and potential in the last five years. {Strongly Agree}{Agree}{Neutral}{Disagree}{Strongly Disagree} 4) I have attained full potential in my career.{Strongly Agree}{Agree}{Neutral}{Disagree}{Strongly Disagree} 5) Self-help books has helped me to realize my professional goals {Strongly Agree}{Agree}{Neutral}{Disagree}{Strongly Disagree} This stage of obtaining statistical data from both the primary and the secondary sources took approximately 5 hours. Upon completion of the data collection exercise, results obtained from the questionnaire scores were tabulated and organized for purposes of analysis. The table below shows the statistical values obtained from the five questions which appeared in the questionnaire paper Question Number Score on scale Employees 1 (Number of books read) 1 8 2 7 3 3 4 7 3 (Achievement of objectives) 1 5 2 8 3 4 4 6 5 2 5 (Usefulness of self-help books) 1 7 2 11 3 4 4 2 5 1 Data Analysis Upon acquisition of statistical data from the secondary sources, the next step involved analysis of these data. This process involved application of mathematical calculations and theories in establishing the relationship between the underlying variables (Koblenz, 2007). Some basic statistical calculations include the mean of the data collected from each question. In the first question, the mean number of books read by the tested employees within a period of one month is 1.93, which truncates to at least two books per month. On the third question concerning achievement of objectives, the mean score of employees on the likert scale 2.282. The last question of usefulness of self-help books gave a mean of 2.16 the scores of a 5-unit likert scale. Statistics obtained from secondary sources, which were employee records from the company’s departments shows that of the 40 employees who liked reading self-help books, 80% of them depicted an elevated level of self actualization through the aspect of self confidence and competence. Apart from the statistical values of means and percentages, this stage involved calculation of correlation values of spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Secondary data obtained on the number of goals achieved by each employee and the number of self-help books read by each employee’s facilitated calculation of the correlation coefficient. Using spearman’s rank correlation coefficient formula, calculation gave a value of 0.78. In addition, a value of 0.65 resulted upon calculation of the coefficient on the issue of usefulness of self-help materials in attaining professional goals and improving competence in work place. Data interpretation Upon analysis of these statistical values, a coherent interpretation will provide knowledge and information that will answer the research question. Statistical values obtained from these calculations include the means and spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. The first question resulted in a mean of at least 2 books in a month. In addition, a mean of 2.282 resulted from the question on achievement of objectives. This shows that most employees in the group agree with the statement that they have achieved their objectives in the last 5 years. Still on mean, a value of 2.16 resulted from the calculation on the question concerning the usefulness of the self-help books. This value shows that most employees agree with the fact that self-help books and other related resources are useful in the pursuit of self-actualization status (Wayne, 2010). Spearman’s rank correlation shows the relationship that exists between two variables. In this context, a coefficient value of 0.78 obtained from calculating data from secondary sources indicates a positive relationship between the two variables. In addition, a value of 0.65 shows a positive relationship between the concerned variables. The two positive coefficients on the variables, especially on the number of books read and objectives accomplished by employees, supports the research hypothesis. In research exercises, a spearman’s coefficient of 0.78 show that there is a strong positive relationship between the involved variables. The positive value shows that employees increase the chance of accomplishing their professional objectives on reading many self-help books. In addition, a positive value in the aspect of usefulness shows that the number of self-help books read by a professional employee is directly proportional to the chances of attaining self-actualization status (LeMay & Morris, 2010). Therefore, the results and interpretation approves the underlying hypothesis. This means that professionals who read self-help books on regular basis attain a self-actualization status earlier than those who do not read these books. Conclusion This proposal illustrates application of a true experiment design in carrying out a research exercise. A systematic psychological research exercise should follow all the required steps of an ideal scientific research in order to ensure objectivity and reliability of the results obtained (Michael, 2009). This proposal shows the functions of every research element in striving towards testing a research hypothesis. At this juncture, we can give an explanation on the usefulness of self-help materials in the pursuit of professional objectives. Research findings supported the hypothesis. This means that attainment of self actualization status depends on the intensity and time used in acquiring information from self-help books (LeMay & Morris, 2010). Reference List Thomasina T. (2010). Effectiveness of self-help resources. Journal of Self-Help & Self-Care Professional Guide To self-actualization, 6(3), 22-30. William, J. (2011). The Experience of self-help exercises: A national Survey of Psychologists. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 22(8), 6-17 Patricia, K. S. (2011). Steps in Self-actualization Attainment: The Beliefs and Practices of Professional Psychology. British Psychology Journal, 7(9), 78-81 Wayne, W. G. (2010). Elements of Professional Advancement: Attaining Self-actualization. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 14(7). 13-32 LeMay, T & Morris, L. (2010). Self-actualization and Professional Achievement. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 15( 9), 46-52 Koblenz, Z. (2007). True-experiment design: Application to Psychological Research. Journal of Psychological Research Methods, 9(1), 1-21 Michael, D. (2009). The Myth Vs Research of Self-Actualization. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 28(1) 6-24 Itai I. (2008). The Beauty of Self-Actualization. European’s. Journal of Psychology, 4(4) 12-20. Leonard, G. (2006). Another Look at Self-Actualization. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 24(2) 8-34 Read More