ED504 Research Project Outline
There are three parts to Stage 1 of the Research Proposal, which is the final product generated in the ED504 course. The purpose of the outline is to help candidates solidify a topic and approach to a research project for addressing an existing problem in the environment of their field of study. The problem must be identified and supported by existing data and should be applicable to the candidate’s field of study (i.e., library media, counseling, teaching).
Remember, this is an outline. You need to provide sufficient detail to inform your instructor, but responses are not fully fleshed out. The complete details are provided in the Research Proposal and not here in the outline. To provide better guidance, responses to questions in the outline should not exceed one paragraph.
Part 1 Data Gathering/Analysis
Gather data previously collected at the classroom, school, or district level to justify the identification of a topic for study.
OBJECTIVE: Identifying and analyzing a problem or weakness currently found in candidate’s field of study for the purpose of completing the Research Proposal assignment. Remember, the Research Proposal is a proposal for an experimental research design.
RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS:
1. Identify the problem that you wish to research and write a problem statement.
The problem this study aims to address is a lack of ineffective exercise routines that includes a mixture of aerobics activity and exercise training. The routine is effective in controlling weight, boosting energy, combating health conditions and diseases, and having better sleep.
2. Identify your hypothesis. (Chapter 1)
Hypothesis: Daily exercise routine will help an individual in combating heath conditions and diseases. Regular exercise activities can help a person in managing most of the health problems.
3. Elaborate on how you determined this was a problem and write a purpose statement based on your problem statement.
I determined this problem by reviewing literature and discovered that some did not actually benefit from the exercise exercises. The study’s purpose is to offer suggestions on how to conduct effective exercises that can improve health outcomes.
4. Construct a graphical representation that allows for easy analysis of your compiled data that highlights your problem. Identify the source of the data and discuss its credibility. Examples of existing data might include school district test scores, absenteeism reports, graduation rates, cost, ranks, divorce rates, living habits, etc.
Fig 1.0:
The Effects of Exercise and Physical Activity on Weight Loss and Maintenance
Source: https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0033062018301440-gr2.jpg
The source of the data is credible because it comes from one of the articles in the Elsevier Journals, which is credible database base ( https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0033062018301440).
5. Discuss the data in your graphical representation to confirm that a problem or weakness can be addressed that is appropriate to the scope of the required program.
The graph shows control and experimental groups measured against weight loss. Exercise combined with proper diet results to better health because it reduces weight loss. Weight loss exposed people to various diseases, including high blood pressure and heart disease.
6. Connect the problem or weakness to trends or patterns represented in your data.
A lack of effective exercise can lead to emergence of health issues such as increased weight, a lack of enough sleep and better energy levels.
Part 2 Literature Review
You will conduct a literature review following APA format (most recent published edition) and become familiar with the scholarly debate surrounding your topic and what scholars and practitioners say about the best way to address the particular need or problem identified through the data analysis.
OBJECTIVE: Reviewing and writing a Review of Literature on your chosen topic for the purpose of completing UWA’s Research Proposal assignment.
RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS:
1. Provide a developed statement of the research problem that demonstrates a sound and focused understanding of the identified problem.
It is important to have an effective daily exercise routine that includes a mixture of aerobics activity and exercise training. The routine is effective in controlling weight, boosting energy, combating health conditions and diseases, and having better sleep.
2. Identify best practice(s) that will be used to address the problem or weakness. This should be a theorist or theory that is known and documented in the research literature.
A person should engage in aerobic where they have at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week. Moderate aerobics is effective for maintaining good cardiac rhythm. They should also engage in strength training at least two times a week.
3. Describe and justify a trend/theory that will be used to validate the use of the identified best practice(s) and clearly highlight the connection with the identified trend/theory to address the problem.
The theory that will be used to advance the research is self-determination theory. This theory is anchored on the premise that not all motivations are created equal. The theory suggests that individuals develop their motivational approach for a given activity based on how well participation in that activity meets their basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
4. Provide reference listings (in APA format) for a minimum of 10 sources (largely representative of the most recent five years) you will use to describe/justify the best practice and/or theory identified. Be sure to include only sources that show clear connections with the best practice(s) and/or theory/trend identified as viable responses to the problem/weakness presented.
Brand, R., & Cheval, B. (2019). Theories to explain exercise motivation and physical inactivity: Ways of expanding our current theoretical perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01147
Clifton, P. M. (2019). Diet, exercise and weight loss and dyslipidaemia. Pathology, 51(2), 222–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathol.2018.10.013
Foright, R. M., Presby, D. M., Sherk, V. D., Kahn, D., Checkley, L. A., Giles, E. D., Bergouignan, A., Higgins, J. A., Jackman, M. R., Hill, J. O., & MacLean, P. S. (2018). Is regular exercise an effective strategy for weight loss maintenance? Physiology & Behavior, 188, 86–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.01.025
Hower, I. M., Harper, S. A., & Buford, T. W. (2018). Circadian rhythms, exercise, and Cardiovascular Health. Journal of Circadian Rhythms, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/jcr.164
Lederman, O., Ward, P. B., Firth, J., Maloney, C., Carney, R., Vancampfort, D., Stubbs, B., Kalucy, M., & Rosenbaum, S. (2019). Does exercise improve sleep quality in individuals with mental illness? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 109, 96–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.11.004
Lowe, H., Haddock, G., Mulligan, L. D., Gregg, L., Fuzellier-Hart, A., Carter, L.-A., & Kyle, S. D. (2019). Does exercise improve sleep for adults with insomnia? A systematic review with quality appraisal. Clinical Psychology Review, 68, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2018.11.002
Mears, J., & Kilpatrick, M. (2008). Motivation for exercise. ACSM’S Health & Fitness Journal, 12(1), 20–26. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.fit.0000298460.30006.00
Schumacher, L. M., Thomas, J. G., Wing, R. R., Raynor, H. A., Rhodes, R. E., & Bond, D. S. (2021). Sustaining regular exercise during weight loss maintenance: The role of Consistent Exercise Timing. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 18(10), 1253–1260. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2021-0135
Swift, D. L., McGee, J. E., Earnest, C. P., Carlisle, E., Nygard, M., & Johannsen, N. M. (2018). The effects of exercise and physical activity on weight loss and maintenance. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 61(2), 206–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2018.07.014
Willis, E. A., Creasy, S. A., Honas, J. J., Melanson, E. L., & Donnelly, J. E. (2019). The effects of exercise session timing on weight loss and components of Energy Balance: Midwest exercise trial 2. International Journal of Obesity, 44(1), 114–124. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-019-0409-x
5. Provide a summary of the literature and how it justifies the need for the study. You are synthesizing your collection of sources into a brief 1-2 paragraph summary. Do NOT describe the specific studies included in your sources.
Physical activity has many health benefits. For instance, physical activity (PA) and exercise training (ET) are associated with reduced CV risk, improved cardio-metabolic risk factors, and facilitates weight loss through creating a negative energy balance. Effective training is also important and incorporates training at consistent times. Exercising at a consistent versus variable time of day relates to greater moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among weight loss maintainers. High volumes of exercise are associated with weight loss and the prevention of weight gain. In fact, studies utilizing supervised exercise, to confirm the completion of the recommended dose of exercise. Also, exercising improves the sleep quality.
Part 3 Methodology/Action Plan
You will write a measurable and executable action plan on your chosen topic for the purpose of completing UWA’s Research Proposal assignment. The action plan must be APA formatted (most recently published edition). Collaborative resources must be included, and each category in the grading rubric must be addressed. Evidence of collaboration with appropriate stakeholders is required.
OBJECTIVE: Writing a measurable and executable action plan on an identified topic for the purpose of completing UWA’s Research Proposal assignment.
RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS:
1. Identify the population and provide a description of the participant sample and the sampling technique.
The research population will use inactive adults between the ages of 18-40 and they will be randomly selected.
2. Justify the sampling technique and the sample chosen.
Random sampling will be used to reduce the researcher’s selection bias.
3. Describe the role of all participants and the plan to prevent harm to them, including the plan for protecting student confidentiality and data.
Participants will be used to show the impact of timing during physical activity (PA) and exercise training (ET) on sleep quality, cardiac rhythm and weight loss. Data from participants will not be shared to any third party. Once research is completed, information from participants will be destroyed permanently. Before participating in the study, participants will also have to feel the consent form.
4. Provide a description of steps and sequence of steps required to complete a successful study.
The following steps will be followed during the research:
1. Identifying the current problem and formulating an hypothesis
2. Identifying the research variables (independent and dependent variable)
3. Selecting participants within the targeted population (after advertisement)
4. Grouping the participants randomly into control and experimental group
5. Collecting data
6. Analyzing collected data and making conclusions
7. Submitting the research findings to the relevant faculty/stakeholders
8. Destroying participant data permanently to protect their privacy
5. Justify the plan of action with respect to the identified problem and purpose. Be sure to justify the connection between the plan and the expected impact on student achievement.
The plan of action is encouraging people to engage in aerobic where they have at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week. Moderate aerobics is effective for maintaining good cardiac rhythm. They should also engage in strength training at least two times a week. All these activities are beneficial to health.
6. Define constitutive and operational definitions of key terms.
Physical activity- any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that require energy expenditure (definition from WHO)
Exercise training- use of repetitive body movements to build endurance, flexibility, or muscular strength
Timing- the choice, judgement, or control of when something should be done/a specific point in which something happens
7. Identify the variables in the study and define how each will be measured.
Independent variable- Timing session for PA and ET, it will remain constant throughout the study
Dependent variable- Sleep quality, cardiac rhythm and weight loss. These parameters will be measured by comparing control group (participants who will not take part in any form of PA or ET) and experimental group (participants who will take part in PA and ET).
8. Describe the data that is needed for the study and how it will be collected. Include a description of the timeline for the data collection.
Data needed relates to sleep quality, cardiac rhythm and weigh loss. The data will be measured weekly.
9. Identify any instrument that will be used in the study and its validity and reliability measures.
A digital scale will be used to measure weight while Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will measure sleep quality and time. Cardiac rhythm will be measured using Holter Monitor.
10. Describe any threats to the internal validity of the study and measures for control.
Reading errors from on various instruments could result to errors in findings. The threats would be controlled by rereading the scale during measurement.
11. Describe the limitations or outside interferences that might interfere with improved student achievement.
The external limitation is that some factors like diet have could impact sleep quality, cardiac rhythm and weight loss among the participants. The researcher will control for this threat by subjecting experimental and control group to same conditions (except for physical activity and exercise training).
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