Phase 1. Introduction Weeks 1-3 

Step 1. Choose a research topic from those provided (If you have a research proposal from 446/646, and you wrote a proposal that was qualitative research, then convert your research question and research into a survey. Use the demographic questions from the surveys provided).

Step 2. Choose a research question that corresponds with your topic from those provided

Step 3. Complete the context and background assignment below due by Week 3.

              CONTEXT & BACKGROUND assignment – In 5 paragraphs students will;

1. Identify a Study Site/ Location (Example: This study will take place in the South Bronx)
2. State the study objective- Example (the objective of this study is to describe the characteristics that qualify some neighborhoods in the Bronx as ”food deserts.”
3. Discuss the importance of the condition under investigation
4. Discuss the importance of the research question.
5. Identify and name a stakeholder (Your stakeholder can be a member of a religious organization, a family member, a friend, or in case of emergency, your stakeholder can be a classmate researching a topic different from yours. Provide their name background. Tell us why this issue is important to them. How do the current conditions impact them?)
6. Identify, define, and operationalize variables important in your study. (For example, if you are studying food deserts, you will need to define what a food desert is and identify characteristics that may qualify a neighborhood as a food desert. Each of those characteristics may be a variable.)
7. Complete and include the sample IRB Form as a separate document.

Phase 2. Data Collection Phase Weeks 5-11

Data Collection Procedures (The data collection phase starts in week 5 and ends in week 11 of the semester).

Step 4. Access and download the 15-question survey provided to answer your overarching research question

Step 5. Collaborate with your stakeholder identified in the Context & Background assignment to develop five additional questions or survey questions in collaboration with the stakeholder.  These questions must be “Yes’ or “No” questions.

Step 6. Create and design a Google survey or Microsoft form for your survey. (Students are responsible for learning how to create their survey as a Google survey or a Microsoft form.)

1. Survey must be submitted via Blackboard for final review

Step 7. Identify a potential research cohort via email listserv, social media, or other emailing lists generated through a community organization or religious organization. YOU CAN NOT USE OUR LEHMAN LISTSERVE OR A COHORT OF ONLY LEHMAN STUDENTS. Your cohort must be between 20 – 25 research participants. 

Step 8. Email potential research participants the recruitment, screening, consent, and embed link to the survey. See below for your email boilerplate language.

Introduction:

Hello, my name is________________, I am a student in the Social Work Master’s Program at Lehman College. I am conducting a student research survey about ____________(fill in your research topic). 

Purpose: This research study investigating _______________(fill in the blank with your topic) is for the purposes of a class exercise only. The results will not be shared outside of an academic setting.

Inclusion Criteria, Exclusion Criteria, and Screening: 

You are eligible to participate in this research if you are an adult over 18 who lives in the Bronx. If you are not an adult over 18 or do not live in the Bronx, you are ineligible to participate. You are being asked to participate in this research study because you are 18 years or older and live in the Bronx. By continuing to read this email, you are indicating that you meet the inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, and screening requirements for this study.

Confidentiality and Consent 

• If you agree to participate, we will ask you to: 
• Review this consent document
• Complete a 20-question survey using Google Survey or Microsoft forms
• Your survey answers will be recorded and later analyzed
• Please answer the questions to the best of your ability. The questions in this survey are “yes or no” and “multiple choice.” Your answers to these questions will be kept confidential. Once you have completed the survey, please hit submit.
• We will not use your name on any documents. We will provide you with an ID number which we will use instead. We take these precautions to protect your privacy.
• As part of this study, the information we collect from you will not be used or distributed for future research. 
• By clicking the link below, you consent to participate in this research.
• ___________________________(Place your Google Survey or Microsoft forms link here)  

Questions, Comments, or Concerns 

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the research, you can talk to this researcher. 

Step 9. Projected enrollment /Sample size – email the recruitment, screening, and consent email that includes the embedded link to your survey to no less than 30 potential participants. 

Step 10. Generate a research cohort of no less than 20 participants. 20 -25 survey participants.

Phase 3. Data Analysis & Presentation Phase 12 -15

Data Analysis and Report Writing Procedures (The data analysis and report writing phase starts in week 5 and ends in week 11 of the semester). 

Step 11. Use the excel spreadsheet provided to input the data collected

Strep 12. Generate at least 3 meaningful graphs or visualizations using the statistics from your data. For example, if you are investigating housing affordability, then the following variables are essential; racial or ethnic makeup of your cohort, average age of your research participants, average household income of your research participant, how much they pay in rent or mortgage, what percentage of their monthly income do they pay in rent. 

Step 13. Google surveys, Microsoft forms, and excel will generate some visualizations. 

Step. 14. Design a PowerPoint presentation of 3 to 5 slides. Your presentation should last 5 – 7 minutes.

Step 15. Present your findings and submit your presentation.