Overview
For this assignment, you will identify the primary components of the research process. In addition, you will apply your knowledge of these components in reviewing an applied research study. Finally, you will develop recommendations for practitioners and policymakers based on your review and the study results.
Develop a 5- to 7-page paper that has the following sections:
- Introduction: Develop an introduction to applied research methodology. Discuss the value of applied research and its application to public policy in public safety. Discuss the four purposes of research identified in the assigned readings. Discuss the approach to research problems and the importance of reviewing the literature on a particular topic.
- Components of the Applied Research Process: Discuss the components of the applied research process, including conceptualization, operationalization, research questions, hypotheses, and independent and dependent variables. Identify the criteria for causality and the four types of validity, including threats to validity. Discuss the time dimension in research, including cross-sectional and longitudinal studies and retrospective and prospective studies. Support your discussion of each component with citations from the assigned readings and examples specific to public safety.
- Review of an Applied Research Study:Develop a review of the White et al. (2018) study. Address each of the following, including supporting citations from the assigned readings:
- Describe the study's primary purpose (exploration, description, explanation, or evaluation).
- Identify each of the research questions and hypotheses developed for this study.
- Identify the independent and dependent variables, discussing the causal relationships the researchers examined. Explain how the researchers conceptualized and operationalized each of the variables.
- Explain the time dimension of the study and how it impacted data collection. Describe whether the study involved a cross-sectional or longitudinal design and whether data were collected retrospectively or prospectively.
- Discuss how the researchers tested the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Describe the results of the study in terms of each hypothesis tested. Be sure to distinguish the study participant groups in terms of outcomes between the groups and changes over time within each group.
- Include a discussion of unusual study findings, noting any changes in the conditions under which the study was conducted and potential threats to validity. Discuss the themes that emerged from the study, providing recommendations for practitioners and policymakers based on the results of the study.
- Conclusion: Develop a conclusion summarizing the main points of discussion throughout your paper. Highlight the importance of applied research in public safety and why knowledge of the research process and methods is valuable to practitioners and policymakers in public safety.
Write in a scholarly and objective tone, avoiding the use of first person, personal pronouns, contractions, and colloquial or conversational language. Avoid the use of direct quotations. Use citations from each of the assigned readings in Units 1 and 2 and two additional scholarly, peer-reviewed sources to support your content and credit sources of information and ideas.
Note: This assignment requires the use of the assigned readings and outside research. Include citations from at least two scholarly, peer-reviewed sources in addition to the assigned reading material throughout your assignment to support your content and credit sources of information and ideas.