Critical Thinking Assignment

Critical Thinking Assignment (60 Points)

Important! Read First
Choose one of the following two assignments to complete this week. Do not complete both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title of your submission. Note that, while there are two options for the Critical Thinking Assignment, there is only one rubric. Review the rubric to confirm you are meeting the assignment requirements.

Option #1: Determine Research Problem and Develop Background of Problem based on a Qualitative Study

For this assignment, you will review qualitative studies that exist within your area of study or your specialization to determine an applied research problem that currently exists for you to be able to expand on with your own research proposal. You will then determine the research problem your specific research proposal will address. This should include one paragraph that clearly states what the problem is, why it is a problem, and why it is important for you to conduct research on the problem.

You will then provide the background for your proposed research study. This should include a minimum of one page regarding the background of this problem, including the following:

Two or three specific issues that make this research problem relevant
Significant data from previous research showing a need for this research
Concepts, themes, and perspectives from prior research that prove this is a topic worth researching
Your argument for why you need to conduct this study.
When you review the article to determine if it is a suitable study, you want to make sure that it has all the required components of true research, including problem, purpose, research questions, background information, data analysis, and ideas for future research. Not all articles are research studies, so you want to be looking for specifics in the article. Below is a video that can help you better determine if the article you found is, in fact, a research study and can help you better understand how to read a research article.

How to Read a Scholarly Journal Article

Your paper should be 2-3 pages in length (excluding cover page and references) and formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Be sure to discuss and reference concepts taken from the assigned textbook reading and relevant research. You must include a minimum of three credible, academic or professional references beyond the text or other course materials. Review the grading rubric to see how you will be graded for this assignment.

Option #2: Determine Research Problem and Develop Background of Problem based on a Quantitative Study

For this assignment, you will review quantitative studies that exist within your area of study or your specialization to determine an applied research problem that currently exists for you to be able to expand on with your own research proposal. You will then determine the research problem your specific research proposal will address. This should include one paragraph that clearly states what the problem is, why it is a problem, and why it is important for you to conduct research on the problem.

You will then provide the background for your proposed research study. This should include a minimum of one page regarding the background of this problem, including the following:

Two or three specific issues that make this research problem relevant
Significant data from previous research showing a need for this research
Concepts, themes, and perspectives from prior research that prove this is a topic worth researching
Your argument for why you need to conduct this study.
When you review the article to determine if it is a suitable study, you want to make sure that it has all the required components of true research, including problem, purpose, research questions, background information, data analysis, and ideas for future research. Not all articles are research studies, so you want to be looking for specifics in the article. Below is a video that can help you better determine if the article you found is, in fact, a research study and can help you better understand how to read a research article.

How to Read a Scholarly Journal Article

Your paper should be 2-3 pages in length (excluding cover page and references) and formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA. Be sure to discuss and reference concepts taken from the assigned textbook reading and relevant research. You must include a minimum of three credible, academic or professional references beyond the text or other course materials. Review the grading rubric to see how you will be graded for this assignment.