INSTRUCTIONS:

- The"synopsis"of your research proposal assignment (Part 1) and the "full proposal" (Part 2) will be based on one of the *research scenarios* provided below.

- Scenario 1: Studies have shown that built environment can affect lifestyle choices and subsequently, human health. Research on this topic in developing countries is scarce despite many having undergone changes. You will propose a study to investigate the relationship between the exposure factor and outcome factor(s) (such as lifestyle choices OR specific health conditions) in people who live in developing countries.

- Scenario 2: People who live in remote areas often do not have adequate access to fresh produce. Preservation techniques can be employed to extend the shelf life of perishable food. Design a study to investigate if the technique(s) applied can prolong the shelf life of the fresh produce OR if there is any health impact upon consumption of such products.

- Do note that the scenarios above provide a general guide for your assignments. You do not have to investigate all the factors mentioned in the general scenarios. You are welcome to pursue your own research topic too.

- You will choose one (1) research scenario from above (or your own area of interest) and then critique the literature around the chosen research scenario using the key variables of your interests as keywords. Through this critique, you will reveal gap of knowledge that your research can seek answer for.

- You will formulate an original (i.e. not using secondary data) quantitative research question based on the gap that you revealed from your critique exercise. Your task is to develop a quantitative research proposal suitable at postgraduate level to enable scientific investigation around that niche research question. You will first prepare a synopsis (similar to an abstract) around the research question you wish to explore in your full research proposal assignment. The synopsis assignment serves as the first part of your full research proposal assignment. In other words, the steps you outlined in the synopsis must attempt to answer the research question you outlined.

- You will use the *template*to complete your synopsis of the research proposal and the full research proposal assignment.

- You will refer to the *marking rubric* to ensure you understand the marking criteria of the synopsis and full research proposal assignments.

- The synopsis assignment (Part 1) constitutes20% towards your final mark for this unit.

Synopsis (1 page maximum, Calibri, font 11, 1.15 spacing):

Title: [Write your quantitative research title clearly with the exposure and outcome factors in less than 20 words.]

Background: [Write a brief statement of the gap of knowledge to be investigated. You MUST cite references when you refer to facts that you did not develop or discover, and to support your statements. Failure to do so is plagiarism.]

Research Hypothesis/Hypotheses: [List the quantitative research hypothesis/hypotheses that are related to the research question you identified earlier. You need to clearly state the key variables you wish to investigate.]

Study design:[Name the quantitative study design, including duration of study, place(s) of study.]

Sampling technique:[Name the sampling technique you plan to use, the target population and sample frame, inclusion/exclusion criteria.]

Data collection: [Name the data collection method you plan to use, including the validated and reliable tools (or plans to test for validity and reliability) to enable the collection of your listed key variables.]

Statistical analyses:[Name both the descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including consideration about groups to be compared if applicable, and the significance level.]

Ethics application:[Name the human research ethics committee(s) where this applicationneeds to be submitted to.]

Limitations of the study: [Name all the biases that may occur during this proposed study.]

Significance of the study: [State the benefit(s) of the study as you relate to your initial research question.]

You will revise your synopsis for your full research proposal assignment based on the feedback you received from your marked synopsis assignment. Do highlight the changes you made in yellow.
- Title:
- Background:
- Research Hypothesis/Hypotheses:
- Study design:
- Sampling technique:
- Data collection:
- Statistical analyses:
- Ethics application:
- Limitations of the study:
- Significance of the study:

Literature Review(2 pages maximum, with APA6th referencing style, Calibri, font 11, 1.15 spacing)

You will provide a brief summary of the published findings around the topic area as an introduction to your research question. DO NOT JUST SUMMARIZE THE PUBLISHED FINDINGS. You should critically review the articles by commenting on the appropriateness of the study designs, sampling techniques, measurement validity and reliability and if any bias/limitation in the studies could be further reduced/improved. As you do this, the gap of knowledge will be revealed. This gap of knowledge will inform you on formulating the research questionyou seek to answer and designing your quantitative research proposal to answer the research question you outlined.

This is where you will justify the methods you proposed earlier. You can use the recommended weekly pre-readings or the peer-reviewed journal articles you read to support your justification. The justification needs to be done on ALL the five areas listed below, and be done sensibly.

a) Justification of your choice of quantitative study design against at least another quantitative study design: You can provide details of your proposed methods mentioned in the synopsis section above in a paragraph, followed by your justification.

b) Justification of your choice of sampling technique against at least another sampling technique: You can provide details of your proposed methods mentioned in the synopsis section above in a paragraph, followed by your justification.

c) Justification of your choice of data collection method against another plausible approach, including comments on validity and reliability of the tools where applicable: You can provide details of your proposed methods mentioned in the synopsis section above in a paragraph, followed by your justification.

d) Justification of your choice of descriptive AND inferential statistical analyses: You can provide details of your proposed methods mentioned in the synopsis section above in a paragraph, followed by your justification.

e) Justification of your choice of Human Research Ethics Committee(s): You can provide details of your proposed methods mentioned in the synopsis section above in a paragraph, followed by your justification.

Attachment:- Health Research Methods.rar