Competing Theories of Dyslexia Research Proposal

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Competing theories of dyslexia
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1RESEARCH PROPOSAL
1. Briefly describe the purpose and rational of the research
Notes:(Maximum 300 words). In writing the rationale make sure that the research
proposed is grounded in relevant literature, and the hypotheses emerge from recent
research and are logically structured.
If this application is for a PGR/Staff funded project please attach any detailed research
proposals as appropriate.
2. Describe the methods and procedures of the study
Notes: (Maximum 500 words) Attach any relevant material (questionnaires, supporting
information etc.) as appendices and summarise them briefly here (e.g. Cognitive Failures
Questionnaire: a standardised self-report measure on the frequency of everyday cognitive
slips). Do not merely list the names of measures and/or their acronyms. Include
information about any interventions, interview schedules, duration, order and frequency of
assessments. It should be clear exactly what will happen to participants. If this is a media
based study describe and list materials include links and sampling procedure.
The research will set out to determine and examine the difficulties
encountered by dyslexia patients, in order correlate them with the theoretical
postulates. This research will be based on an observational research design,
whereby inference will be drawn from a sample, in relation to a wider
population where the independent variables are not under the influence of the
researchers (VanderWeele and Ding 2017). Cross-sectional research approach
will be specifically adopted for this purpose, which in turn will facilitate proving
or disproving the theoretical assumptions related to dyslexia. Furthermore, this
research design will be cost effective, and will comprise of numerous variables,
at the specific time of data snapshot (McLean and Pontiff 2016). Convenience

2RESEARCH PROPOSAL
sampling procedure will be adopted for recruiting participants for this research
from the campus. Advertisement letters will be disseminated at and around
the university campus, in the form of pamphlets. The information in those
pamphlets will provide a clear description of the eligibility criteria of
participants, and the purpose, setting, and potential advantages of research.
After the prospective participants contact for participation in the research,
they will be analysed on the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. They
will be provided informed consent letter and information sheets through email,
following which only those who voluntarily agree to be the research sample,
after having learnt about the potential advantages and disadvantages of the
research will be enlisted. The participants will be provided the opportunity to
withdraw from the research or refuse participation at any point of time. They
will also be assured to maintaining confidentiality of their test results.
Following sample selection, the research will encompass conduction of three psychological
tests namely, (i) Digit Span test, (ii) Corsiblock test, and (iii) Denckla Finger opposition
test. During the Digit Span test the participants will be asked to recap lone figure digits
next to the experimenter (Zimmermann et al. 2015). These digits will be recited at a rate of
one digit/second, and will commence with two digits. On obtaining correct answer, the
experimenter will read out three digits, till nine digits. However, on making an error, the
participant will be given another attempt will be given. A second correct answer will lead
to continuation of the test. However, it will be stopped on receiving wrong answer and the
digit span will be chronicled as ultimate correct trial.
The Corsiblock test will determine visuo-spatial short-term working memory and will
involve imitating the experimenter as she/he taps an order of alike spatially detached
blocks (till 9) (Brunetti, Del Gatto and Delogu 2014). The participants will have to observe
the arrangement of blocks "tapped", and recap the arrangement back in order. The test will
begin with less blocks and progressively rise in dimension till nine blocks. This will
determine the quantity of precise sequences and the lengthiest sequence recalled. The
Denckla Finger opposition test will determine motor control of the participants, whereby
the experimenter will demonstrate repetitive finger/thumb opposition (Paquet et al. 2016).
By resting the forearm, the participants will be asked to oppose their fingers to their thumb
successively, touching from index to the little finger or in reverse direction.
3.Provide details of the previous experience of the procedures by the person
conducting the study.
Notes: Say who will be undertaking the procedures involved and what training and/or
experience they have. If supervision is necessary, indicate who will provide it.(50 words)
4.Describe the ethical issues raised by this study and discuss the measures taken to
address them.
Notes: Describe any discomfort or inconvenience that participants may experience.
Include information about procedures that for some people could be physically stressful or
might impact on the safety of participants, e.g. interviews, probing questions, noise levels,
visual stimuli, equipment; or that for some people could be psychologically stressful, e.g.
mood induction procedures, tasks with high failure rate, please include your distress