Methodology and Procedures
Capella University
PSY-FPX5201 Integrative Project MS in Psychology
Methodology and Procedures
Quantitative research involves systematically gathering and analyzing numerical data to understand patterns, correlations, or trends within a certain subject (Bayot et al., 2022). This approach uses mathematical, statistical, and computational methods to collect measurable data subjected to rigorous statistical analysis. The objective is to provide dependable outcomes that may be generalized to a broader population. This study will use a correlational research design to examine the correlation between social media usage and anxiety levels among university students aged 18-25. The study will focus on social media use as the independent variable, quantified by frequency, length, and type of engagement. The dependent variable in this study will be the level of anxiety, which will be measured using standardized anxiety scales. The correlational design is suitable for this study since it determines the presence of a statistical relationship between social media use and anxiety (Lau, 2017). In practical contexts, this research design is useful for determining whether two variables are associated. It helps in determining the correlation between greater social media use and anxiety levels, whether it be
higher, lower, or no correlation at all. While this design does not show causation, it can provide
insights into the nature and intensity of the connection between these variables, which might
be useful for guiding future studies. The research intends to collect data from a
significant sample size to guarantee that the results are representative and reliable.
Instruments
The research will use several standard tools to collect data. First, the Social Media Use
Integration Scale (SMUIS) assesses the frequency and intensity of participants’ social media use
and its integration into their everyday routines (Alsunni & Latif, 2020). This scale is reliable and
verified by Alsunni & Latif (2020). Additionally, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), a 21-item
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questionnaire, will be utilized to evaluate levels of anxiety (Blasco et al., 2020). Each question
describes a symptom associated with anxiety. Participants are asked to assess the extent to which
each symptom has caused them distress on a scale ranging from 0 (no distress) to 3 (severe
distress). This tool has strong internal reliability and consistency (Blasco et al., 2020). The Social
Comparison Scale (SCS) examines the extent to which people compare themselves to others on
social media platforms regarding their physical appearance, achievements, and lifestyles
(McCarthy et al., 2023). This scale has shown consistent reliability and validity. Finally, the
Cyberbullying Scale (CBS) will measure participants’ experiences with cyberbullying, including
their roles as both victims and perpetrators (Saman et al., 2021). Each of these tools is selected
based on their precision and reliability, ensuring that the gathered data will be credible. The data
collected by these tools primarily consists of ordinal and interval measurements, allowing
comprehensive statistical analysis.
Data Collection
Data will be collected through an internet-based survey platform, providing a simple
means for university students aged 18-25 to participate. Invitations will be sent to participants
through university email lists and social media groups. Every participant will be given an email
with an informed consent form that will include detailed information about the study’s
objectives, the level of confidentiality maintained, and the voluntary nature of participation.
After their agreement, individuals will complete the SMUIS, BAI, SCS, and CBS surveys. The
survey will be accessible for 4 weeks to provide sufficient time for responses. Upon completion
of the survey, the participant’s data will be securely stored in the survey platform database. This
systematic procedure ensures that other researchers can easily reproduce the data collected.
Data Analysis
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The data analysis will be conducted using SPSS, a statistical software tool for its
reliability in managing complex data sets (Okagbue et al., 2021). The analysis will begin by
using descriptive statistics to summarize the demographic characteristics of the participants, as
well as the primary variables, such as the frequency of social media use and anxiety levels. The
Pearson correlation analysis will be used to investigate the relationship between the use of social
media and the presence of anxiety. This approach is appropriate since it quantifies the magnitude
and direction of the correlation between two continuous variables (Janse et al., 2021).
Subsequently, a multiple regression analysis will assess the combined influence of social media
use, social comparison, and cyberbullying on anxiety levels. This approach allows the
examination of the influence of several independent variables on a single dependent variable,
which is ideal for the objective of the research to determine the primary predictors of anxiety
(Trunfio et al., 2022). The statistical analyses used in this study align with the correlational
research design that ensures that the results will accurately address the research topic about the
correlation between university students’ use of social media and anxiety.
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References
Alsunni, A. A., & Latif, R. (2020). Higher emotional investment in social media is related to
anxiety and depression in university students. Journal of Taibah University Medical
Sciences, 16(2), 247-252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2020.11.004
Bayot, M. L., Brannan, G. D., Brannan, J. M., & Tenny, S. (2022). Human Subjects Research
Design. StatPearls Publishing.
Blasco, R. L., Cosculluela, C. L., & Robres, A. Q. (2020). Social network addiction and its
impact on anxiety level among university students. Sustainability, 12(13), 5397.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135397
Lau, F. (2017). Chapter 12 methods for correlational studies. In F. Lau & C. Kuziemsky (Eds.),
Handbook of ehealth evaluation: An evidence-based approach. University of Victoria.
McCarthy, P. A., Meyer, T., Back, M. D., & Morina, N. (2023). How we compare: A new
approach to assess aspects of the comparison process for appearance-based standards and
their associations with individual differences in wellbeing and personality measures. Plos
One, 18(1), e0280072. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280072
Okagbue, H., Oguntunde, P., Obasi, E. C. M., & Akhmetshin, E. (2021). Trends and usage
pattern of SPSS and Minitab software in scientific research. Journal of Physics:
Conference Series, 1734. Doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/1734/1/012017
Saman, Z. M., Siti-Azrin, A. H., Othman, A., & Kueh, Y. C. (2021). The validity and reliability
of the Malay version of the cyberbullying scale among secondary school adolescents in
Malaysia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21),
11669. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111669
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Trunfio, T. A., Scala, A., Giglio, C., Rossi, G., Borrelli, A., Romano, M., & Improta, G. (2022).
Multiple regression model to analyze the total LOS for patients undergoing laparoscopic
appendectomy. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 22(1), 1184.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-022-01884-9
Concept Paper Template
Use this template to complete assessment 1, assessment 2, assessment 4, and assessment 5.
Resubmit this document as you complete assessments, including the final paper (assessment
5). Do not modify this template with the exception of this page. You may remove this page.
Remove the instructions in each section and add your content.
1
Title
[Insert your name]
School of Psychology, Capella University
PSY5201: Integrative Project
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[Restate The Title Here and Remove the Brackets]
The introduction to the literature review should follow immediately after the title. Its
placement signals that it is an introduction and does not require a separate heading. Follow
current APA guidance for creating a title. The title should be a statement and not a question. It
should summarize the main idea of the paper. It should be concise and include the variables in
the research and their relationship. See section 2.4 on page 31 of the APA manual. Use this space
to discuss what the reader is expected to learn from the literature review. Introduce your research
topic and describe the significance of your topic. Discuss how you conducted your literature
search, the databases and keywords used.
Theoretical Orientation for the Research Concept
Many times, the term theory can be conflated with other uses. In research there are
about three ways that theory is applied in research. – a) empirical theories, b) theories of method,
and c) theories of content.
Empirical theories are likely to drive quantitative projects. These theories are intellectual
guesses, supported by the research literature, that become the impetus for initiating a quantitative
research study. They guide research questions, justify what is being measured (variables) as well
as how those variables are related, and guide the data collection instruments. Such theories are
best described in the research question section of the paper and should make a clear connection
to the research question.
Theories of method refers to the epistemological underpinnings of theories that drive
decisions associated with the planning and development of research strategies. Theories of
method is also understood as concept mapping. Its a description of the research concept
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development with a discussion that includes a justification for making such choices. Its helpful
to include this description in the background section of the paper.
For this section of the assignment, the focus should be on theories of content. Examples
of theory related to content include psychoanalytic theory, Maslows hierarchy of needs,
attribution theories, and cognitive and developmental theories. Theories of content should be
identified, defined, and described with support from the theoretical and empirical literature.
These theories should be grounded in psychology and provide a lens by which to understand the
research topic.
With this mind, be sure to:
identify and define the theory(ies) that provide the foundation for the research
describe the theory(ies) and explain how the research topic relates to the
theory(ies)
include macro/umbrella theory(ies) from seminal source(s) that provide a
reasonable theoretical foundation for contextualizing the research concept.
Review of the Literature
The review of literature is more than a summary of the information found through the
literature search. Its purpose is to provide the context within which the project will be framed
and developed. It should include a conceptually organized synthesis of the results of the process
that clearly delineates what is known, what is unknown, and what is controversial regarding your
topic. It is expected that you will organize topics and subtopics in the literature review
thematically. Reviews that are organized article by article are not appropriate for this project.
It is important to understand that the process of finding, reviewing, synthesizing, and
writing the literature review defines the theoretical framework and gives you a strong foundation
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from which to work when developing your research question. The literature review is part of the
concept paper template, which you will use and build on throughout the course.
For this section of the assignment, the review of literature should reflect an effective
understanding of the current state of empirical research on the topic. Include (1) studies
describing and/or relating to the research topic, (2) studies on related research such as factors
associated with the themes, (3) studies on the instruments used to collect data, (4) studies on the
broad population for the study, and/or (5) studies similar to the proposed study. The themes
presented and research studies discussed and synthesized in the Review of Literature need to
demonstrate a working understanding of all aspects of the research topic. Analyze the
relationships among the related studies instead of presenting a series of seemingly unrelated
abstracts or annotations. The literature review should motivate the study. The reader should
understand why the problem should be researched and why the study represents a contribution to
existing knowledge.
Themes to be considered and addressed in your literature review include the following
(this is not an exhaustive list):
Themes in the literature that illuminate the history of the discipline or area of practice of
your project.
Themes in the literature that provide a theoretical background for the topic or area of
practice regarding your project.
Best practices in your area of practice or specialization.
Themes regarding the proposed research that add something significant to the knowledge
base of psychology.
Themes that identify the standards of your profession (values, attitudes, beliefs,
professional attributes) and the sources from which these are derived.
Synthesis of the Research Findings
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The introductory paragraphs in this section are usually followed by a review of the
literature. Show how your research builds on prior knowledge by presenting and evaluating what
is known about your research topic and problem. Assume that readers possess a broad
knowledge of the field but not the cited articles, books, and papers. Discuss the findings of works
that are pertinent to your specific topic.
This section requires that you take the research findings, discussed in the review of
literature above, and integrate the findings so that they overlap and create a new understanding of
the issues that relate to your research topic. This new understanding is developed by Identifying
the connection between each of the themes from the literature and deciding what argument you
are making. Use those same sources to support the final point that you want readers to know.
Critique of the Previous Research Methods
Critiquing research is part of the research process. This calls for an evaluation of the
methods that were employed in the research that informs the research topic. To do this well, a
synthesis of the methods should be conducted. This synthesis should connect with the synthesis
from the previous section. That is, the research that has been reviewed and synthesized for its
findings will be reviewed and synthesized for its methods. Evaluate the various methodologies
and designs that have been used in prior empirical research related to your research topic.
Discuss how the methods helped advance the knowledge base, discuss the strengths of the
methods, and what you might change to boost the research. Must include supporting examples
with proper citation.
Summary
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Restate the main arguments/points that were made throughout the paper provide
supporting citations. The summary section reflects that the learner has done their “due diligence”
to become well-read on the topic and can demonstrate that this research concept can potentially
add to the existing body of research and knowledge on the topic. It synthesizes the information to
define the “gaps” in or “identified research needs” arising from the literature and the theory(ies)
to provide the foundation for the study.
Include a brief introduction of the research topic and its significance. A road map of the
organization of the paper should complete the introduction.
Background
The background of your study is a modified version of your literature review. It reflects
the most important points from the main ideas of the literature review. Provide a summary of
those main points that highlight the gaps in the literature. This section should communicate the
main ideas from the literature review, and it should restate the gaps in the literature, making a
smooth transition to the research problem.
The Background section should include three paragraphs addressing the main ideas
captured in the literature review.
Specifically, address the historical and contemporary understanding of the research
problem in the first paragraph.
In the second paragraph, address the gap in the research where the research falls short
of addressing your specific interest related to the research topic.
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The third and final paragraph needs to be a discussion of how the extension of the
research concept, as a research study, would address the research problem.
All paragraphs should include 57 sentences.
Research Problem
The research problem needs to be an explicit statement about the convergence and
divergence in the literature review and a clear declaration of the problem deriving from the gap
in the literature. It needs to address what the research literature states we know, what the
literature indicates we know, and what we dont know, based on the published research. This
should be a succinct, yet detailed paragraph of 5-7 sentences. The research problem is the
impetus for the research question.
Research Question
The research question should accurately reflect the research topic, theory, population,
variables, and methodology. It should also address the research problem specifically. State it as a
question. Include the hypothesis, null hypothesis, and alternative hypothesis.
Goals and Objectives
Goals and objectives are important to address in a concept paper. It becomes the
justification for pursuing research. Anyone reading this research concept would want to
understand why this is important and what the goals would be if it were to be pursued as a full
research study. State the goals of this study as if you were going to conduct it or pursue a
research proposal. Think about the significance of conducting a study like this and the impact it
could have the significance. State the goals in a succinct paragraph of 4-6 sentences. List the
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objectives (what the purpose of the study would be) in narrative form minimum of three
objectives. You can add more if needed. Cite to support your claims.
Population and Sample
Describe the general population, the target population (include a description of the social
setting), and studys sample. Consider this example when describing the population:
the general population (i.e., students with disabilities)
target population (i.e. students with disabilities in one specific district – geographic
location)
the study sample (students with disabilities in the district that will participate in the study
actual study sample).
Identify the sampling strategy, provide a sample size appropriate for the study design,
include a justification. When describing the sample size provide evidence that the sample size is
adequate for the research design. You can use the Finding the Right Test tool to find the
appropriate statistical test. As a general rule of thumb, consider the following:
Absolute Minimum: 50 cases or participants applicable to studies that use
frequencies/descriptive statistics and parametric statistical tests (t-tests, ANOVA,
correlation, regression analysis)additional requirements related to the use of
certain statistical analysis procedures may increase that number. Survey research
= 10 subjects per survey question.
An a-priori Power Analysis is required to justify the study sample size based on
the anticipated effect size and selected design. Include this in addition to using the
literature to support your choices.
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Methodology and Procedures
Quantitative Research
Define and describe quantitative research. Identify, define, and describe the research
design. Provide a description of your instruments: All surveys, tests, questionnaires,
experimental procedures, clinical interventions, inventories, and other data-collection tools
should appear in an instrument subsection. A forecast of reliability and validity should be
presented. Data collection and data analysis strategies also need to be addressed.
Instruments. Provide a detailed discussion of the instrumentation and data collection
which includes validity and reliability of the data. Describe the structure of each data collection
instrument and data sources (tests, questionnaires, interviews, observations data bases, media,
etc.). Specify the type and level of data collected with each instrument.
Data Collection. Describe the procedures for the actual data collection that would allow
replication of the study by another researcher, including how each instrument or data source
would be used, how and where data would be collected, and recorded.
Data Analysis. Address what, why, and how of data analysis. Identify what
statistical/non-statistical analysis would be used. Discuss why the statistical analysis is the best
selection. Demonstrate how the statistical analysis was selected, align with the research question
and design.
Conclusion
Restate your research topic, restate the research problem and research question, briefly
discuss the significance of the topic as a potential study, summarize the key supporting ideas you
discussed throughout the literature review, and offer your final thoughts on how this topic would
advance the knowledgebase.
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References
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