Assignment 1: The Purpose of Applied Research

This module taught you the definition and history of applied research in the social sciences. In addition, this module taught you the theories that informed applied research and when it can be an appropriate research tool.

Using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and other scholarly sources, explore the purpose of applied research in your discipline or career.

Specifically, discuss current trends or issues in your discipline or career that could benefit from an applied research study and explain your answer based on personal experience/observations and scholarly sources. Find a scholarly (peer-reviewed) applied research journal article in your discipline.

Tasks:

In a minimum of 300 words, post to the Discussion Area your response to the following:

• Define the applied research method/technique used in the article.

• Discuss how the applied research article differs from traditional research.

• Explain how the author(s) used the results to improve or change the environment studied.

• Use at least two scholarly citations and cite the sources in the body of your work based on APA standards.

• Prepare a reference list.

Support your rationales and analysis by using at least two resources from professional literature in your response. Professional literature may include the Argosy University online library resources; relevant textbooks; peer-reviewed journal articles; and websites created by professional organizations, agencies, or institutions (websites ending in .edu or .gov).

Submission Details:

o By the due date assigned, post your responses to this Discussion Area.

o Through the end of the module, respond to at least two of your classmates' posts. Your responses should be substantive, meaning they should encourage further dialogue and discussion, encourage your classmates to think about other aspects of the topic, compare and/or contrast your response to your classmates' responses, or ask a relevant question, to better assist you with your understanding.

The following textbook is required for use throughout your Applied Research program:

• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition

Assignment 2: Developing an Applied Research Study

This assignment and others throughout this course will be used to help you develop a draft prospectus. A prospectus outlines your proposed research paper or dissertation. In each module, you will complete various components of the prospectus and/or your research plan.

The final prospectus will be submitted in Module 7.

A Required Assignment (RA) is a substantive assessment intended to measure students' performance against selected course objectives and/or program outcomes within a course.

RAs are completed by all students across all Argosy University campuses and delivery formats without exception. Each RA contributes to a significant portion of the overall course grade and is assessed by faculty using the rubric designed for that assessment. These are individual assignments, and students earn individual grades.

RAs are not intended to assess students on every topic covered in the course but just on the key course objectives and/or program outcomes.

In this course, there are two major assignments, or RAs, that make up 50% of your total class grade.

In M4 Assignment 2 RA 1, you will draft a preliminary review of the literature or information sources for your applied research study. This assignment will be used to help you develop a draft prospectus.

A literature review provides a summary of the history of your topic and recent research in the field. In applied research, this review may include pertinent information sources that are relevant to the topics but that are not research-based (e.g., past policies, manuals, review of competitor's practices, etc.).

Your final product will be a 3- to 8-page Microsoft Word document (not including the title and the reference pages). Utilize at least seven scholarly sources. A description of RA 1 is given on the M4 Assignment 2 RA 1 page.

In M7 Assignment 2 RA 2, you will create a prospectus. A prospectus outlines your proposed research paper or dissertation. Your applied research prospectus should be developed with clear awareness of the political and ethical issues associated with the use of applied research in the specific context area being studied (education, business, psychology, etc.) and tailored to the needs of the agency, organization, or setting.

Your final product will be a 10- to 15-page Microsoft Word document (not including the title and the reference pages). It will utilize at least ten scholarly sources. A description of RA 2 is given on the M7 Assignment 2 RA 2 page.

To ensure that you have carefully reviewed and planned how you will approach these major requirements, your final assignment in Module 1 is to review the descriptions of RA 1 and RA 2 and create a timeline for accomplishing each of them during this course. See the rubrics listed at the end of the RA descriptions.

Tasks:

In a Microsoft Word document, respond to the following:

• What topics are you interested in examining for your applied research study? Give your study a preliminary title. Your title should reveal the primary research objective/intent of your study.

• In 2-3 paragraphs, describe the problem that led you to become interested in studying this topic. Include how the problem impacts the setting/subjects you are interested in studying.

• Briefly justify the importance of studying this problem. Why is your research important? What do you hope to accomplish? (Please limit your response to one paragraph.)