Sociology 280.003, Fall 2006

Team Project Research Plan & Ethics Statement

Due: Monday, Oct. 16

 

Along with your research plan and ethics statement, turn in:

 

Research Plan

Topic and Research Problem, 1-2 pages.

  1. What is the social problem or issue you are researching?
  2. What is important about this topic to you as a team, to social science, and to the world?

 

Literature Review, 2-4 pgs.

  1. Based on the literature reviews written by each team member for homework #3 and the abstracts from the two articles each of you reviewed (as well as the articles themselves), outline the main themes and findings of previous research on the topic. On the whole, what does your combined review of the literature suggest or predict with regard to your area of inquiry? (see the E-Reserves article, "The Literature Review" by Neumann for tips -- especially "What does a good review look like," p. 126 and "Examples of bad and good reviews," p. 127.)
  2. What is the main theoretical framework that applies to your project, and why?

 

Research Question, Conceptualization and Operationalization

  1. State your research question.
  2. What are the independent and dependent variables in your study?
  3. Identify three concepts relevant to your research question and/or variables. For each concept, provide a definition. If you are using, building on or adapting concepts/definitions from other researchers (based on your literature review -- a good idea), make sure to credit your sources and provide correctly formatted citations.
  4. For each of the three concepts, identify TWO possible ways to operationalize it. (6 operations total.) Specify the associated measures, indicators and/or variables. For each, what is the level of measurement, and why?

 

 

Ethics Statement

Write an ethics protocol that includes the sections outlined below (2-3 pgs). Fill out and sign the human subjects research protocol form that follows.

 

Scope of Project

Describe the subject population, including ages and any other relevant characteristics. Describe your recruitment activities and criteria for selection or exclusion. Ensure that participation will be voluntary. Justify use of any special or vulnerable populations. Describe any special field sites or collaborating institutions associated with the project.

 

Research Methods and Procedures

Concisely describe data collection procedures and data collection instruments (surveys, questionnaires, etc). Attach data collection instruments if available.

 

Risk and Benefits

Describe any benefits to participants or to society, and potential risks to research subjects. Does your project meet the requirements for minimal risk specified in the UNM IRB Policies & Procedures Manual, section 3.2? Why or why not? Do the benefits justify the risks? Describe protection measures for minimizing risk, safeguarding privacy and safety for participants, and maintaining confidentiality of the data.

 

Informed Consent

Who will be the appropriate consenting person(s)? What information is necessary to insure that consent is adequately "informed?" How will consent be documented? If no consent form is needed, explain why.

 

 

 

 

 

Human Subjects Research Protocol

 

Team Name:

 

Project Title:

 

Names of all investigators (printed):

 

 

Investigator Certification. This statement must be signed by all investigators.

I/We certify that the activities and procedures proposed for this study will be carried out as described in the attached protocol, following the research ethics, norms and standards in the discipline of sociology.  I/We agree to promptly bring to the attention of the instructor any planned changes in methods or procedures from those described or any unexpected problems adversely affecting the subjects.  Modifications to research procedures, instruments or consent forms must be submitted for the advisor's review and approval prior to implementation.  I/We also certify that I/we will not use or release data gathered from participants whether raw or aggregate for other research studies, will notify the instructor and the UNM IRB if such a need arises, and will apply to the IRB for a modification.

 

Signed:                                                 Date:__________________________

 

 

_______________________________          _______________________________

Signature                                                         Signature

 

 

_______________________________          _______________________________

Signature                                                         Signature

 

 

_______________________________          _______________________________

Signature                                                         Signature

 

Faculty Advisor Review. I have reviewed the protocol and certify that it conforms to the norms, ethical standards and methods of procedure in the discipline of sociology. The proposed study involves no known risks to human subjects other than those specified by the applicant investigators, and meets the UNM IRB's requirements for minimal risk.

 

___________________________________              _______________________

Signature of Instructor                                                Date