Can you help me understand this Psychology question?

As you have learned from Modules 1 & 2, there are several ways to get information on human beings. One way is to conduct an experiment, another way might be to do a correlational study.

In this paper, you will be showing me that you know how to conduct a research project by proposing a project that you might be interested in. You will not be actually doing any research, you are only planning it. But who knows where this proposal will take you down the road! (smile)

You will be proposing a study that you’d like to see done (you choose the topic), and then you will choose one of the techniques mentioned above (experiment or correlation) and explain how you would use this technique to learn about your topic of interest.

To help you with this paper, I have highlighted the components that you must cover in your essay and have given examples from my own proposal; of course, you must come up with your own very interesting topic. A printable pdf can be downloaded here: Paper 1 Assignment

Your proposal should include:

1. what you are interested in learning about and why this topic is important to you; be sure to provide a personal connection/experience to the topic (20%)
   1. Example: I want to do my study on Chinese American women and how they developed their identities (how they saw themselves). I choose this topic because I (as a Chinese American woman) had struggled with knowing who I was (hence, failing college 3 times – lol) and I want to know what components lead to a strong (vs weak) sense of identity – a clarity of vision about themselves and their goals. I am worried about my nieces and how they might develop as a result of growing up in a patriarchal culture – both as a Chinese American and as an American blah blah. I already see how they are affected blah blah way in their families
      1. It is important that you choose a topic that you are personally interested in. You will not score well if you write, “Well, it just sounded interesting to me.” Tell me why this topic is important to you. If it’s not important to you, then don’t choose that topic.
2. what your hypothesis is – what do you think you will find out in your study? (10%)
   1. My hypothesis: Chinese American women growing up in a traditional patriarchal family will have a weak sense of identity – they won’t have direction in their lives.
      1. Use your text to guide you on how to write your hypothesis
      2. A hypothesis is (usually) one sentence that says what you think you will find out in your study.
3. the variables – what are the thing(s) you will be measuring? Be specific: how will you measure these variables? Give examples of your measuring “tool.” (20%)
   1. I want to measure a) the level of tradition in a Chinese American woman’s family; and see if it’s related to b) a measure of her identity
      1. I will create a survey to measure traditionalism, which the women will fill out.
         1. One question might be: On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you want a baby boy over a baby girl in the future; 1 = baby boy, 10 = baby girl.
         2. You should provide at least 2 ways to measure your variable
      2. I will create a survey to measure identity, which the women will fill out.
         1. One question might be: On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy are you with your current job? 1 = not happy at all, 10 = extremely happy.
         2. You should provide at least 2 ways to measure your variable
      3. Do not propose using measures that are already existence; show me that you know how to get the answers you want
      After
   2. After you submit your draft, it will be Peer Reviewed by… well… your peers. In other words, I will break the class into groups and a few of your classmates will be looking at your draft and giving you feedback; you will be doing the same for them. All of you will be using the same rubric to provide feedback; in doing so, everyone will be clearer as to what a strong paper looks like.