This document outlines the tentative schedule and assignments for a research proposal project. It includes 7 weekly assignments over 15 weeks that involve topic selection, annotated bibliographies, developing a framework and hypotheses, outlining the paper, and drafting multiple versions of the proposal. The assignments include both individual and group components. They require turning in topic ideas, literature summaries, outlines, and drafts through an online system. The schedule culminates in an oral presentation and final draft due in the last class. It provides grading criteria for evaluating the project components.

1. Research Proposal: Tentative Schedule and Assignment
(All of the individual and group assignments, except the final
draft, should be turn in through Moodle by the due)
1. Week 4: Topic selection
Individual Assignment (Due: by the noon of the class day).
· Turn in at least one potential research topic which can be used
for your group proposal
With the library search, select one or two interesting research
topic. Develop a research question (s) for the topic and attach
the reference list. Bring the hard copy to the class for your
group discussion (your group will select one research topic for a
group research proposal).
Group Assignment (Due: by the midnight of the Saturday in the
week)
· Turn in a report of the chosen research topic for your group
proposal.
Evaluate the potential research topics brought by your peers.
Determine one topic which will be used for your group
proposal. Develop a report which include; 1) the tentative title,
2) name of the participants (alphabetical order of the last name),
3) description of the topic (one paragraph) including the
research question and goal, and 4) references (APA).
2. Week 5-7: Annotated bibliography
Annotated bibliography: An annotated bibliography begins with
the full citation information of an article or book which is
relevant to your research and a summary of the relevant

2. information from the source. The annotated bibliography
provides a ready reference when preparing your research
proposal and manuscript. Choose the most significant
manuscripts in your topic (could be found in your current
reference list or from a new search) and summarize them.
Consider manuscripts of a classic research and/or a recent
study, an empirical study, and authored by one or more current
CSUN FCS faculty members in your area of study.
Include the following information in your annotated
bibliography: the complete citation in APA format, the work’s
focus (research question/goal/objective), dependent variables,
main independent variables, framework/theory, data or data
collection methods, the sample used, the analytical method
(such as multiple regression, ANOVA, logistic regression,
factor analysis, structural equation modeling, latent growth
curve, general linear model, and so on), results, and the
conclusion. Proper citation is expected. Limit the length to two
double spaced pages for one article.
Individual Assignment (Due: by the noon of the class day).
· Turn in the annotated bibliography for two articles that can be
used as the references for your group proposal.
Bring the annotated bibliography and the original copies of the
articles to the class for a group discussion. Present your articles
to your group and discuss if/how this article can be used in your
group proposal.
Group Assignment (Due: by the midnight of the Saturday in the
week)
· Turn in an updated report from the previous work by adding
one paragraph of the description of the selected articles.
This update will include all of the previous information; 1) the
tentative title, 2) name of the participants (alphabetical order of

3. the last name), 3) description of the topic (one paragraph)
including the research question and goal, 4) the description of
the selected articles (source + explain how to use the article for
your proposal development) and 5) references (APA).
3. Week 8: Framework/theory, Hypotheses, and Methodology
Group Assignment (Due: by the midnight of the Saturday in the
week)
· Turn in an updated report from the previous work by adding a
research goal/objective, framework/theory, and hypotheses.
The report will include; 1) the tentative title, 2) name of the
participants (alphabetical order of the last name), 3) description
of the topic (one paragraph) including the research question and
goal, 4) framework/theory (brief description and explain why
you select the one in a paragraph or two), 5) hypotheses, 6)
Methodology, and 7) the description of the selected articles
(source + explain how to use the article for your proposal
development), and 8) references (APA).
4. Week 10-11: Paper outline
The outline will begin with the title, your names (alphabetical
order of the last name), key terms (5-6). Next, all headings
(introduction, review of literature, and methodology) and sub-
headings should include a brief description of the contents-use
bullet points. In general, research goal/objectives will be
incorporated into the introduction. Review of literature will
include the key concepts, theory/framework and hypotheses.
Methodology will include the research procedure, analysis, etc.
References (20-25) should be attached (APA). In this outline,
you will NOT include the detailed texts. However, the outline
should include all of the key items and the brief contents for
each.

4. Individual Assignment (Due: by the noon of the class day).
· Turn in a draft of your outline.
Each individual student will develop preliminary paper outline
for a group proposal. Bring the idea (draft) to the class for your
group discussion to develop the final outline.
Group Assignment (Due: by the midnight of the Saturday in the
week)
· Turn in a proposal outline. This will be reviewed by the
instructor.
5. Week 13: First draft
Your group will complete the first draft based on the outline
approved by your instructor.
Group Assignment (Due: by the midnight of the Saturday in the
week)
· Turn in the first draft
6. Week 15: Second draft
Revise your first draft based on the feedbacks provided. Your
instructor will check if the feedbacks are effectively reflected
on your second draft.
Individual Assignment (Due: by the noon of the class day).
· Turn in your own abstract (150 words) after reviewing the
entire first draft
Each individual student will develop the abstract. Your group
will work together to finalize the abstract based on the
individuals’ works.
Group Assignment (Due: by the midnight of the Saturday in the

5. week)
· Turn in the second draft with the finalized abstract.
7. Week 16: Final draft & oral presentation
Group Assignment (Due: by the noon of the class day)
· Turn in the oral presentation (PP slides)
Oral presentations are scheduled on the last class meeting time.
Each proposal will have approximately 15 minutes allocated.
The order of the presentations will determined one week prior
of the presentation. Having visual aid prepared electronically is
expected. Please email the visual file to me by noon of the
presentation day, with the following format. Order_Topic.pptx
(5_FinancialInformationSource.pptx). Your file should be a
final version and no further revision is possible after send me
the file. The expected format of the visual file are Microsoft
PowerPoint or PDF. Please dry-run your presentation at least
several times, including in front of any audience.
Group Assignment (Due: beginning of the class)
· Turn in a hard copy of the final draft at the beginning of the
class.
Office 2013 – myitlab:grader – Instructions Exploring - Excel
Chapter 2: Homework Project 1
Formulas and Functions
Project Description:

6. In the following project, you will perform preliminary work on
the gym worksheet. You will then calculate cost, annual total,
and total due. You will also determine the down payment and
balance of gym membership. Your last steps will be to calculate
the monthly payment and finalized the workbook.
Instructions:
For the purpose of grading the project you are required to
perform the following tasks:
Rule 1: If an object is selected and a new tab appears, it is 95%
in that new tab.
Rule 2: If you are ever confused, right click on the selected
item.
Formulas: + = Addition - = Subtraction * = Multiplication
/ = Division
Step Instructions Points Possible
1 Download and open the file named
exploring_e02_grader_h1.xlsx. Click OK in the message
regarding the circular reference. In File, use the SAVE AS
function to save the document in Computer / Z Drive as Excel
Chapter 2 Capstone. 0
2 Create a range name for cells A18:C20 named
Membership. Select the columns A through J and autofit them.
To do this, move the curser in-between two of the
selected columns, and double click when the curser is a vertical
line with an arrow sticking out from both sides. This will autofit
ALL selected columns. 5
3 Insert the TODAY function to enter the current date in cell
B2. 5
4 In cell C5, insert the VLOOKUP function to display the
basic annual membership cost of the first client. Because of the
range name being Membership for the table, absolute references
will not be required in regards to the table_array. Simply use
Membership as the table_array, and it should select the
preassigned range to that name. 5
5 Insert the IF function in cell E5 to calculate total amount.

7. The function should add the cost of membership plus, if
applicable, the locker fee. Logical_Test – This will
test to see whether or not the client has a locker. If the client
has a locker, the cell, D5, will say Yes. This row needs to test
whether or not the Locker column has “Yes” in its cell.
Value_if_True – This is the equation for if the
Logical_Test is true. Meaning, the price of the locker added to
the cost of the membership. Value_if_False – This is the
equation for if the Logical_Test is false. Meaning, the cost of
the membership WITHOUT the locker fee. Be sure to
go through each equation within the function, and check to see
if absolute reference are necessary. Look at each cell reference
and ask whether or not that cell changes as you copy the
formula, or if it stays the same. If it stays the same,
ABSOLUTE REFERENCES will be needed. 7
6 In cell G5, enter a formula to multiply the annual total and
years of membership to calculate the total due in column F. 5
7 Copy the three formulas down their respective columns. 5
8 Insert the VLOOKUP function in cell H5 to display the
amount of down payment for the first client. 5
9 Locate and correct the circular reference for the balance in
cell I5. A circular reference is when an equation refers
to the cell it is in, which will void the equation. Be sure
the equation calculates the difference between total due and the
down payment. 7
10 Copy the two formulas down their respective columns. 5
11 Insert the PMT function in cell J5 to calculate the first
client’s monthly payment. Rate – Objective
This is the interest rate the payments will be appropriated.
For This Assignment In this instance, it is
found in cell B23 as the interest rate for the payments divided
by the payment plan, being that it’s monthly, will be 12, located
in B24. Nper – Objective This is the total
number of payments for the loan, meaning what type of payment
plan the loan is on. For This Assignment In this
instance, it is a monthly plan, meaning that the payments will be

8. 12 in total. This is located in cell B24. But, the payments can
also go over multiple years, located in column F. To find the
true total number of payments, multiply B24 by F5. Use the cell
reference rather than the physical number. Pv –
Objective This is the current amount due toward the loan.
For This Assignment In this instance, it is
located in I5, being that the current balance for each member is
what each member owes. Because this number is a debt, it
should be a negative number. Use appropriate absolute
references as needed, being that absolute references are for cells
that do not change. Fv and Type are rarely used, and will be
clearly directed if ever needed. 6
12 Copy the formula down the column. 5
13 Insert the SUM function in cell G14 to total the column. 5
14 Fill the function in cell G14 across the range H14:J14 to
add additional totals. 5
15 Insert functions in cells H18:H22 to calculate basic
summary information. Be sure the correct information is
selected for each individual function. COUNTA MIN
AVERAGE MAX MEDIAN 7
16 Format the payments in cells H19:H22 with Accounting
Number Format. 5
17 Select cell E17 and select Format Painter in Home /
Clipboard. This will copy the formatting of the selected cells
into another range of cells. Now format the column headings on
row 4 and 17 to match the fill color in the range E17:H17 using
format painter. 6
18 Format the cells G5:J5 and G14:J14 with Accounting
Number Format. Use zero decimal places for whole numbers. 6
19 Apply Comma Style to the range G6:J13. Use zero decimal
places for whole numbers. 6
20 Save the file and close Excel. Submit the file as directed.
0
Total Points 100

9. Updated: 01/07/2013 1
E_CH02_EXPV1_H1_Instructions.docx
New ClientsBuff and Tuff GymDate
Prepared:ClientMembershipCostLockerAnnual TotalYearsTotal
DueDown PaymentBalanceMonthly
PaymentAndrewsDeluxeYes10BakerIndividualYes20CarterFami
lyNo30DudleyDeluxeNo20EvansDeluxeYes30FoustIndividualN
o10GardnerIndividualNo20HartIndividualNo30IvansIndividualY
es30TotalsMembershipCostDown PaymentSummary
StatisticsDeluxe$ 575$ 250Number of New MembersFamily$
1,500$ 700Lowest Monthly PaymentIndividual$ 300$
150Average Monthly PaymentMaxium Monthly PaymentLocker
Fee$ 75Median Monthly PaymentInterest Rate5.75%Months
Per Year12
Abigail Moncada
FCS 681
Professor Cho
Three Part Journal # 4
Part 1: Most interesting things learned
This week’s reading I found it a little challenging but very
informative. I got to learn about causal challenges in internal
validity and causal direction. I found the section about the
different relationships (bias, spurious, suppressor, etc...) very
interesting and important. Just because we have identified one
independent variable and dependent variable does not mean
other variables do not influence our variables and or cause a
different relationship among them. There could be other
variables that influence the independent variable, the dependent
variable, or both. This is important information to keep in mind
when selecting a research statement and independent and
dependent variables to help make our study stronger. The
section I found to be the most interesting this week was control

10. over independent variables in chapter five. A control variable is
a huge factor in a research proposal. If we select one
independent variable to study we also have to include our
control variables to mention how these variables will be
assumed to be equal and not have an influence on our variables.
Mentioning the control variables also explains to the readers
how these variables will not be measured in the study. I knew
that whenever you selected variables there could be other
factors that influence them or change their relationship but I did
not know they were called control variables or that it is
important to mention them for readers to be aware of them, for
them to have a better understanding of the research proposal,
and what is being measured.
Part 2: How it builds upon the course content
Both these sections relate to our course content in several
ways. For the second week of class, we were asked to select a
research topic and identify our independent variable and
dependent variable. Now that we have learned more about
research we are able to identify control variables and additional
independent variables that influence our variables and could
change their relationship. This section of the reading helped us
understand the importance of identifying control and
independent variables and how it helps make our research
proposal stronger and clearer. My group’s research proposal is
seeing if free-play at school positively influences early
childhood social development. This week we decided that
parenting styles and household income would be our control
variables. We also identified teacher interaction as an additional
independent variable that influences our dependent variable
(social development). Thanks to this reading we were able to
identify these variables, get an idea how they influence our
variables, and develop a model explaining their relationship.
Part 3: Professional life
This section of the reading not only relates to our class but
also our professional life. When we select a research topic for
our thesis project we have to identify additional independent

11. variables and control variables that might influence our
variables. This is an important section in our thesis that grad
students need to understand and make sure they know how to
identify and explain them in their project. This section confirms
to us that there are many parts of a thesis project, they are all
important, and they all must be included to develop a solid and
clear thesis. This section also gives us an idea of the steps and
the process researchers and scientists do to develop a research
proposal and conduct a study. There work is neither easy nor
short. If students love learning about this and understand it
well, it helps them decide if research is a career they would be
interested and good at. I also feel like this section of the
reading helps us better understand studies we read, know what
to look for, and the terminology being used.
Pham, Ann-Marie
FCS681: Three-Part Journal (3/4/15)
The most interesting topic in this reading was the one-shot case
study. I did not know that such a study existed. This made me
think why researchers would consider using this type of study?
Is it to get quick results? Is it to do a small mock study to
identify flaws? Is it because they were limited on budget,
researchers, and participants? I feel like this type of study may
be used as a small pilot-like study to determine if the posttest
had useful questions or if instructions given to the treatment
group needed improvements/editing. Since this type of study
usually has weak internal validity, I can’t imagine researchers
using this method to conduct a large-scale study on a life-
changing topic. I also found the one-group pretest-posttest
design interesting. I liked how they implemented a pretest,
implemented the treatment, and then implemented the posttest. I
feel like this gives more accurate results. I do think that lacking
a control group may skew the results, because if you have
nothing to compare it to, how will you know how effective a
treatment is? I found the examples about teaching methods on
the creativity of elementary school children very helpful,

12. because my group and I are also planning to see the effects of a
program on elementary school children, but we will have a
control group.
The assigned reading builds upon the course content by
continuing to provide the reader with detailed explanation and
examples of validity. I feel that the topic of random selection
and random assignment will be useful for my group and I once
we start to work on the methodology part of the thesis proposal.
Since the purpose of our study is to compare how a nutrition
and physical activity intervention program will affect obese
elementary school children in different schools, this section
made me question if random assignment will be possible within
one classroom. I liked how the reading explained that random
assignments might not be possible in public schools because
students within the same class often follow the same
curriculum. This is extremely helpful, because my group and I
can take this information and set up an intervention program
that randomizes which schools get the treatment as oppose to
which students get the treatment. It will be easier to implement
nutrition and physical activity programs to an entire classroom
as oppose to different children within one class, and it may also
reduce threats.
This reading will be helpful in my personal life because I am
planning to continue researching. I found the section about
“mistakes sometimes made in conducting experiments”
extremely helpful. Since I have only been involved in the data
collection, entry, and analysis part of a research study, I have
not had the chance to actually develop my own study. Before
reading this section, I thought I had an idea of how to develop
and conduct a study. However, after reading about the possible
mistakes, I feel like I have no idea how to develop a solid
study. I have considered the variables such as history,
limitations, bias, and loss of subjects, but I never considered
regression, maturation, and a weak experimental treatment. I
feel like there are so many potential threats to validity and it is
so hard to prevent them. I also found the reading on the

13. different types of experiments very helpful. Many students are
unaware that there are different types of experiments, such as a
laboratory experiment and a field experiment. I was unaware
that these two types of experiments were considered “true
experiments.” The reading also explains the difference between
an experiment and a correlation study, which I found interesting
because I used to consider all studies as experiments.