The main assignments for this course are wrapped into the Research Design Project. This project has three pre-matrices that will inform three matrices. Each pre-matrix and matrix address basic and applied research that is quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, action research, and/or program evaluation. For each pre-matrix, you will find peer-reviewed education research articles on the same topic using the specified research design(s). For the matrices, you will identify methods, information, and critique the studies. This assignment helps you learn how to evaluate research, identify the main components of good research, and start building your literature review. You will use the articles approved in Modules 2-4 during Modules 5-7.
Instructions
You will submit 2 documents for this assignment:
1. RDP: Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Pre-Matrix
2. Zip-file with all of your articles (Naming convention of zip-file: RDP QUAL MM Articles)
For the RDP: Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Pre-Matrix, you will
1. Select 3 research study articles published in a peer-reviewed journal related to your topic of interest.
a. All articles must be educational studies published within the past five years.
b. All articles must be on the same or connecting subject matter.
c. Articles cannot be literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses or meta-syntheses, any other type of review or synthesis, longitudinal studies, or instrument validation studies; all research evaluated must be original/single empirical research. Reports and dissertations are not allowed as they are not peer-reviewed journal articles.
2. Each of the 3 articles should have a different research design. You must select:
a. Applied Research Article Qualitative (QUAL-A)
b. Applied Research Article Mixed Methods (MM-A)
And 1 of the following:
c. Basic Research Article Qualitative (QUAL-B)
d. Basic Research Article Mixed Methods (MM-B)
NOTE: Applied research cannot use the action research design
3. For 1 and only one of your article searches, you are required to use artificial intelligence (AI) to find and verify your article.
a. You may only use M365 Copilot, LU’s approved source for AI.
b. You may ONLY use AI to complete the components in the pre-matrix for that single study.
c. You will identify which research design component you used AI for and include a copy of your “conversation” after your reference section in the template.
d. Please remember that AI is not always correct, and you have to use your knowledge gained for the week in determining whether AI’s information is usable or if you have to reprogram.
e. Remember to download the article!
Microsoft Copilot Software – As a student, you have access to this tool as part of the Microsoft 365 software package. You can also access it from your myLU account > IT Marketplace > Scroll down to Microsoft 365 Software (under IT Marketplace Software).
4. Be sure to download every article and save it in a folder on your computer. You may be asked to produce the article if the instructor has any issues downloading it. This will also ensure that the article is real!
HELPFUL INFORMATION
For help finding articles in general, refer to the Read: Suggestions and Tips for Determining Research Designs in the Learn section of this module for more information.
Any sections requiring textbook support must use the textbook from this course.
Please see the table at the end of the document to refresh your memory on the differences between basic and applied research.
For help determining the research design for qualitative research (e.g., narrative, grounded theory, case study, phenomenology, ethnography), refer to the Read: Qualitative Research: Common Types of Data Collection, Analyses, and Research Design.
For help determining the specific mixed methods research design used, please use your textbook readings, PowerPoint slides, videos, and the Read: Qualitative Research: Common Types of Data Collection, Analyses, and Research Design in this module and the Read: Quantitative Research: Common Types of Analyses and Research Designs in the previous module.
It is highly recommended that you search for articles in your capstone interest area. Additionally, higher-tiered journals are preferred over lower-tiered journals as they provide better information from top experts. The link to the tiered rankings can be found in the Resource section of the assignment description.
Using the provided Research Design Project Qualitative and Mixed Methods Pre-Matrix Template, provide the following information in a paraphrased format.
· In the pre-matrix
· Article type
· Article reference (also must hyperlink DOI/URL)
· Narrative in-text citation
· Parenthetical in-text citation
· Rationale with support from the article for how you know it is basic or applied (include page/paragraph number)
· Specific research design (e.g., Qualitative-phenomenological, case study, grounded theory, narrative, etc.; Mixed Methods-identify what is quantitative and what is qualitative as well as the specific mixed method research design)
· Rationale with support from the article for how you know the design is correctly identified (include page/paragraph number)
· Rationale with support from the textbook for how you know design is correctly identified (include page number)
· AI Identification if used for the study (hyperlinked to AI Conversation heading, which has already been bookmarked)
· After the pre-matrix
· You will answer a few questions about how research design is encapsulated in a biblical worldview. You must include Bible verses to support each of your answers.
· Reference page: Include references for the course textbook and Bible sources
· AI Conversation (already bookmarked in template): You can go to the AI conversation in M365 Copilot and copy and paste it under this heading. I encourage you to copy and paste along the way in the event of a technological issue. See the separate M365 Copilot Conversation document in the assignment instructions. This document provides information on how to hyperlink and copy information.
Current APA formatting is expected throughout your paper (see the APA Help Sheet or the link to the APA Style Guide in the Resource section of the assignment description).
The Research Design Project Qualitative and Mixed Methods Pre-Matrix Sample has been provided for your reference.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.