HRPYC810- Research Project 1 Romantic Relationships Assessment

Assignment Overview

Introduction

The Introduction usually starts by framing the overall research problem. Be guided by the following questions when you write an introduction (usually just one paragraph): Why is it important to study romantic relationship formations through dating apps? Go back to your previous assignment addressing the following: Why is it important to study online romantic relationships in general and within the South African context in particular? What is the overall research problem? Revise your answers when you write the introduction. When framing the research problem, consider the various concerns your research problem touches on and its effects on other outcomes (e.g., motives; consequences).

Task

You are required to write a research proposal. Based on the feedback you received for your second assignment, continue to improve upon writing your literature review on dating app use in relation to at least two of the outcome variables assessed in this research project. Based on the improved literature review, propose at least two research hypotheses. The research hypotheses must be logically derived from the literature review and testable by the measurements used in this research project (see under Measurements).

Research Method

Outline the research method that will test your hypotheses. Define what research design will be applied.

Ethical Considerations

Outline the basic ethical considerations considered relevant by the APA for Research and Publication (see available Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct by APA, Section 8 "Research and Publication").

Participants

Describe the participants you will approach (i.e., sample size, demographics, sampling technique, inclusion and exclusion criteria). How will the ethical principles be adhered to?

Procedure

Outline how the data will be collected, including how potential participants will be approached, what information they will receive, and how ethical principles will be adhered to. Remember, we inform about the procedure so any other researcher can replicate the study you propose or report on. Again, briefly address how the ethical 

Proper framing of the research problem helps set the readers' expectations for what the research project will and will not include. Thus, outline what your study will address. Introduce the psychological constructs and their relationships and state how they will be scientifically explored.

Measurements

Outline the measurements that will be used. Outline each measurement you use by stating its name, source, and number of items; provide an example item, the response format, the meaning of the scores, and information available about the validity and reliability of the measurement. It is sufficient that you report only those measurements relevant to your research hypotheses. However, the measurements must be the same as those used in the research project.

Literature Review

The literature review covers (1) what is known about the psychological concepts, (2) how previous research conceptualised the psychological concepts (i.e., online romantic relationship), (3) how previous research theoretically framed the relationship between the psychological construct and the behaviour you aim to explain, (4) are the findings of previous research consistent or inconsistent, and (5) given the psychological theories and empirical findings, what could be hypothesized (propose at least two research hypotheses). See also Tutorial Letter 103 under Literature Review.

Data Analysis

Outline which statistical techniques you will apply (e.g., descriptive and inferential statistics) to present your results and test your research hypotheses.

Assessment Criteria

The Title of the Research Proposal is concise and includes all relevant information (5).

The Introduction frames the research problem appropriately and informs about the proposed study (10).

The Literature Review (Total: 50) is well structured, comprehensive and logically argued (10); the relevant concepts are appropriately defined (10); the theories/theoretical arguments explaining their relationships are well presented (10); and all relevant studies

We usually start the literature review by introducing the behaviour we aim to explain as it relates to an overall problem. For instance, you might want to explain online romantic relationships and the psychological factors affecting them and the psychological factors being affected by them. You could explain how online dating is related to different behaviours by outlining the theoretical arguments and the empirical findings of offline dating. You further need to explore at least TWO variables in more detail.

Before you decide in what direction your individual research project should go, you must read available research papers on this topic.

The literature review should logically lead to the research hypotheses you propose for your research project.

Brief Summary of Assessment Requirements

The assessment required the student to develop a research proposal focused on online romantic relationships, particularly through dating apps, within the South African context. Key requirements included:

1. Introduction: Frame the overall research problem and its significance. Include psychological constructs, motives, and consequences relevant to online romantic relationships.

2. Research Task: Build on the previous literature review and propose at least two research hypotheses logically derived from the review.

3. Research Method: Define the research design and methodology to test the hypotheses.

4. Ethical Considerations: Adhere to APA ethical principles, particularly regarding research and publication.

5. Participants: Describe sample characteristics, sampling techniques, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and adherence to ethical principles.

6. Procedure: Outline how data will be collected, participant recruitment, and ethical compliance.

7. Measurements: Specify instruments, their sources, number of items, example items, response format, score interpretation, validity, and reliability.

8. Literature Review: Discuss psychological concepts, previous research, theoretical frameworks, consistency of findings, and logical derivation of hypotheses.

9. Data Analysis: Specify statistical techniques (descriptive and inferential) to test hypotheses.

10. Assessment Criteria: Emphasis on clarity of the title, quality of introduction, structure of literature review, theoretical explanations, and alignment of hypotheses with the literature.

Step-by-Step Approach Guided by Academic Mentor

The Academic Mentor guided the student through the assessment systematically, ensuring each section was addressed thoroughly and logically. The approach included:

1. Introduction Guidance:

   • Mentor advised revisiting prior assignment responses on online romantic relationships.

   • Student framed the research problem with emphasis on dating apps, motives, and consequences.

   • Introduction condensed into a concise paragraph clearly explaining study relevance and objectives.

2. Literature Review Guidance:

   • Mentor emphasized reviewing prior research papers to understand psychological constructs.

   • Student examined at least two outcome variables related to dating app usage.

   • Mentor suggested structuring the review to include: concept definitions, theoretical frameworks, empirical findings, and gaps in literature.

   • Literature logically led to formulation of two research hypotheses.

3. Hypotheses Development:

   • Mentor ensured hypotheses were testable with the research project’s measurement tools.

   • Student linked hypotheses directly to the literature review findings.

4. Research Method and Design:

   • Mentor instructed the student to clearly define research design (e.g., quantitative survey or experimental approach).

   • Student outlined procedures for data collection and participant recruitment.

5. Ethical Considerations:

   • Mentor highlighted APA guidelines on research ethics.

   • Student included ethical compliance measures for participants (e.g., informed consent, confidentiality).

6. Participants and Procedure:

   • Mentor guided the student in specifying sample size, demographics, inclusion/exclusion criteria.

   • Procedure detailed how participants would be approached and informed about the study, ensuring replicability.

7. Measurements:

   • Mentor ensured that each measurement instrument included: name, source, items, example items, response format, scoring interpretation, and validity/reliability.

   • Student applied only measurements relevant to the research hypotheses.

8. Data Analysis:

   • Mentor explained descriptive and inferential statistics appropriate to test the hypotheses.

   • Student outlined the statistical plan for analyzing data results.

9. Final Review:

   • Mentor encouraged reviewing alignment between research problem, literature review, hypotheses, method, and analysis.

   • Student revised sections to ensure clarity, logical flow, and academic rigor.

Outcome and Learning Objectives Achieved

Outcome Achieved:

• A coherent research proposal with clear introduction, structured literature review, well-formed hypotheses, detailed methodology, ethical compliance, and defined statistical plan.

• All sections aligned with APA ethical standards and assessment criteria.

Learning Objectives Covered:

1. Understanding of online romantic relationships and dating app usage in the South African context.

2. Ability to conduct a structured literature review and derive hypotheses.

3. Knowledge of research design, sampling techniques, and data collection procedures.

4. Application of ethical principles in research.

5. Skill in describing and selecting appropriate measurement instruments.

6. Understanding of statistical techniques for hypothesis testing.

7. Ability to produce a coherent and academically sound research proposal.

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