A “variables first” approach to the quantitative research project

This activity for a quantitative research methods course uses a semester-long approach for students to conduct a research study by starting with previously validated variable operationalizations. Rather than starting with theory and research to build hypotheses, students use the operationalizations to work backward to build a hypothesis and work forward to design an online survey or experiment. This semester-long project has five scaffolded milestones leading to a research report with an introduction, methods, results, and discussion.Course Quantitative Research Methods (undergraduate).Objectives Upon completion of this project, students should be able to: (1) create and test hypotheses of difference or relationship with clearly defined independent and dependent variables; (2) design and collect data with an online survey or experiment with reliable and valid variable operationalizations; (3) calculate descriptive statistics, reliability, and inferential statistics using statistical software; and (4) write an abbreviated quantitative research report in APA format. The learning objectives align with NCA Learning Outcome 2: Engage in Communication Inquiry, especially the LOC 2 sub-outcomes of “Formulate questions appropriate for Communication scholarship” and “Engage in Communication scholarship using the research traditions of the discipline” and, to a lesser extent, “Interpret Communication scholarship” and “Evaluate Communication scholarship,” with the long-term goal of “Contribute to scholarly conversations appropriate to the purpose of inquiry.”