Posted: April 14th, 2015

Quantitative Analysis

This assignment will require the inclusion of two major parts:  1) the theoretical background and hypothesis; and 2) the analytical section.

Background and Hypothesis

Building upon the literature review, this section of the term paper will link the quantitative analysis directly to the existing literature.  Theories, explanatory frameworks and/or empirical evidence pertinent to your research question are to be presented:  additional sources will be added as appropriate (the final term paper should have five to seven sources in total).

For the “research question,” the following needs to be considered:

1)    What is the theoretical basis for answering the research question?  That is, what are the arguments, given the existing theories, about how you key independent variable “X” is associated with the dependent variable “Y”?  Each theory should provide an argument about the relationship.  If this is not explicit, an extrapolation from theory about how “X” affects “Y” needs to be applied.

2)    How does the research build upon findings of earlier studies?  In discussing how theory relates X to Y, existing studies that reinforce the relationship with theory should be stated.  Accordingly, the theory explanation can be placed in a research context.

In constructing the research approach, at least two theories or two arguments should be made to explain the relationship between Y and X.  (Hence, support the theory of interest by eliminating the competing theory of disinterest).  With the establishment of the competing theories and/or arguments, the supporting references should be assigned to the appropriate theory/argument (“put into ‘piles’ corresponding to the theories”).  Important questions to consider are:  what concepts are being used in each theory?  What are the results?  Do they support the theories?  How does the finding of follow-on articles support/refute earlier work?

In drafting the research approach, briefly summarize competing theories relevant to your argument.  Specify major assumptions and key concepts of the theory of interest (the “Y” that explains “X”).   With the details assembled, create a section called “Hypotheses.”  State at least one hypothesis about the relationship between X and Y for the theory you present.  Your hypotheses should follow logically from the description of the theories/literature in the outline.

Methodology

This section requires the description of the data used in conducting your analysis, outline the how the variables in the study are operartionalized, and described how you test the hypotheses.  Briefly describe the data:  what is it? And, how will it be used?  What is the unit of analysis?  (for example, fatal crash; individual driver)  What is the data source? (Be as specific as possible).

The goal of assignment #2 is the synthesis and augmentation of the materials written in assignments #1 along with the quantitative (empirical) findings of your final research effort.  The following sections should be included:

1)    Introduction

-follow the guidelines from assignment #1—briefly restate;

2)    Theory/Literature Review

-present competing arguments
-explain how references explain the relationship between independent and dependent variables, and competing arguments
-references should be included according to how they inform the research and on a study-by-study basis

3)    Hypotheses

-present competing hypotheses
-link directly to section 2

4)    Data

Describe:
-the unit of analysis (for example, the individual product consumer, lease-holder, or company)
– analyses and/or data source(s)
-strengths and weaknesses of the analyses and/or data

5)    Variables/Model

Describe:
-dependent variable(s)
-key independent variables
-test/control variables

6)    Analysis/Findings

Discuss:
-how are the variables related
-explanatory ability of the model
-how results support competing hypotheses
Present:
-tables of statistical findings

7)    Conclusion

Restate:
-research objectives, data used, analytical results and significance of the effort