Method Element Outline - phase ii 
Use Leedy’s Practical Research and Design (Chapter 4 and 5) to guide your answers to these questions…
Method Description
Subtopic 
On the rubric, a 3 “Describes a replicable research method, with
questionable alignment to the purpose of the inquiry.”
- My approach to this research project is to Explore. I want to explore
the relationship between the opinions of both parents and students. As
a result of this, I would like to explore how these opinions could
Approach potentially be implemented to create a more educational,
comprehensive, and inclusive program.  
- My project is non-experimental in that there is no controlled factor and no
hallmark signs of an experiment in general. A survey is non-experimental in
Design general therefore the design of my project is non-experimental.
 
 
Primary/ Secondary
Type of Data - The type of data I will be using is Primary Data. I will be using
primary data because I am producing my own results instead of
drawing data and conclusions from someone else’s data.
Independent/ Dependent
Variables
Quantitative
- I wouldn’t say that my methods for conducting research through a
survey are Quantitative. However, the way in which I will analyze my
results has a Quantitative component. Analyzing the percentages and
Method the results are really the only Quantitative pieces therefore my method
is not Quantitative in nature.
Qualitative
- My method is more qualitative in nature in that I will be analyzing the
subjects’ personal opinions. Allowing people to honestly give their
Justification
On the rubric, a 4 and 5 “Logically defends the alignment of a detailed,
replicable research method to the purpose of the inquiry.”
How do your approach and design fit into your Body of Knowledge?
- My specific body of knowledge is largely why I am interested
and passionate about this project. Doing initial research and a
project in AP Seminar allowed me access to some necessary
background knowledge. This has led to me becoming very
knowledgeable in this area. This project will not only widen my
body of knowledge but that of any one who reads it, especially
Jefferson County officials. No matter the outcome of the data,
there will be valuable insight into the current state of the sex
education curriculum.
How do the variables you plan to study connect to your research
question?
- The variables that I plan to study will connect to my research
question because the data produced will be used to define new
guidelines. My question entails find a way to improve the most
current sex education program. The variables I plan to study
include the opinions of both parents and students about
different topics that they either believe should or absolutely
should not be taught. The data produced from looking at these
variables could potentially create a more educational,
comprehensive, and inclusive program. These elements are the
core elements of my research question. Therefore, the variables
that I am studying are directly related because the variables will
feed into the creation of a program that includes the core values
expressed in my research question.
How does your method fit your research design?
- Using a Qualitative method fits my research design perfectly.
There isn’t a way to fully represent feelings with numbers
therefore it is obvious to use this method. Asking participants
want they want, desire, think, and question will allow for an eye
opening research project in my opinion. Without the use of the
Qualitative data, I couldn’t fully represent the emotions and
opinions that are going to be portrayed through my research.
 opinions to me through the means of a survey qualifies as Qualitative
because it is measuring a nonnumerical value.
- My subjects are as follows: High School Students (Grades 9-12) that
Subjects of are currently enrolled in a Jefferson County High School and has taken
study a sex education course, as well as their parents (with no preference
over whether the mother or the father is the participant). All sexualities
are not only welcome but encouraged.
- At the moment, the schools that I am thinking about directly reaching
out to--because I am not giving it to all Jefferson County Schools--are
in the following list: Columbine, Chatfield, Dakota, Lakewood,
Ralston Valley, Arvada West, and Golden. This is just an initial list
that is entirely subject to change.
Method Description
Subtopic 
On the rubric, a 3 “Describes a replicable research method, with
questionable alignment to the purpose of the inquiry.”
Instruments What specific tools (surveys, frameworks, interview questions, etc.) need to be
created?
- My specific research method will require a survey to be built. I want to
create a survey that encompasses the values and ideas of some of the
surveys that I found during the research and lit review process. I want
to format my survey around the ideas and the topics provided in my
research question. For example, I plan to include topics that will
increase inclusivity for all students to see if that is something that the
general public wants to see in their sex education programs. The
questions will be centered around the idea that the program needs
more educational subjects, inclusivity, and overall needs to be more
comprehensive for students.
Procedure How will you gather your data, step-by-step (describe in as much detail as you
have)?
- I will gather my data through a survey. The first step would be to
create the survey, as mentioned in detail above. Next would be to
distribute it. I want to distribute my survey to a bunch of the high
schools in Jefferson County. The ways in which I plan to do that is to
How do your subjects connect to your research question?
- Question states that I am going to be looking at the opinions of
Jefferson County High School Students in relation to their
parents. Therefore, it is obvious that there is a direct connection
between the two. The inclusivity section of my question can be
addressed by all students but having the opinions of LGBTQ+
students will give deeper insight on how to create a more
inclusive environment and program. Making the program more
educational is addressed by my subjects because they are now a
couple years removed from the course and are able to recount
what they wish they had learned which could inform me on
how to increase the education value. As for making it more
comprehensive, it comes from a result of education and
inclusivity therefore it is also covered by the subjects.
Justification
On the rubric, a 4 and 5 “Logically defends the alignment of a detailed,
replicable research method to the purpose of the inquiry.”
How will your instrument gather the information you want?
- The survey will gather the information that I want better than
any other technique in my opinion. I think a survey is the best
option for my research question because it will give my subjects
an open forum to give their open and honest opinion. I think
surveys can be more widespread and more easily accessible to
more people. Therefore, I know that I can get more honest
feedback. The survey will allow people to be anonymous and I
think this will ultimately produce the most realistic and honest
data. I also think that a survey will produce the data and
information I want because there will be a multitude of topics
for the subjects to choose from and a ranking system for each
that will allow me to see the relative level of importance of each
subject.
How will this process support both internal and external validity as well
as good research ethics? (what have you done/ need to do?)
- To comply with the ethical issues addressed by Leedy, it will
take consideration on my part. In relation to protection from
harm, informed consent is necessary. I think that offering some
contextual information at the beginning of the survey will give
reach out to the administration of those schools to see if they would
allow me to give this survey to their students. If they have an AP
Research course, that would be the best way to reach out to other
schools. Receiving parent input from other schools will be the most
difficult part because my project and I are unknown. Therefore, I
anticipate that most of my parent responses will come from the
Columbine Community. In relation to spreading it throughout
Columbine, I plan to ask Mrs. V to send a link home in the weekly
newsletter in hope of distributing to parents. As for students at
Columbine, I plan to ask to have my survey be put on each of the
graduating classes’ google classroom pages, I plan to personally ask
the AP Seminar and Senate kids to take it, and as a last result I will use
my social media platforms to hopefully gain some responses. The
survey will take form as a Google Form therefore it will be easy to
organize and analyze the data received from these different
demographics and locations.
- This process will support both external and internal validity.
people enjoy information to form an opinion about whether or
not they are willing to partake in my survey. When considering
people’s reasonable expectations and right to privacy, I plan to
keep the survey anonymous. I plan to ask questions like
graduation year, age, gender, and possibly sexuality to gage the
type of participant but their identity will remain secret to protect
their privacy. When considering the aspect of honesty with
professional colleagues, I swear to not fabricate any of my data
and will only report what is real and found within my survey. It
is important to me that I comply with honesty with professional
colleagues because I know that this is a lot of work that people
are passionate about. I wouldn’t want to steal ideas therefore it
is essential to me to keep within the academic honesty
boundaries. Lastly, there is the matter of protection from harm.
This survey will ultimately be optional to anyone who receives
it, it is their choice whether or not they take it. Also, this will
not put them into danger in any form. This could also ultimately
be beneficial to the participants and doesn’t risk their physical
or mental health.
Internal validity comes from the ability of the research design to
yield accurate conclusions. Because this project is entirely
based on the opinions of these two demographics, there really is
no conclusion that is 100% correct. We are exploring and
seeing what we find. Therefore, any conclusion is valid and
creates internal validity. External Validity speaks to the
project’s importance outside of itself. As for this project, I have
been invited to be on Jefferson County’s sex education advisory
board and I hope to share my findings there. This board makes
all the decisions for updating and changing the sex education
curriculum. Since my research specifically looks at how the
opinions of both students and parents can potentially shape and
create a better program, it would be beneficial information to
this board.