Research Proposal Methodology Assesment

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH PROPOSAL METHODLOGY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

RESEARCH PROPOSAL METHODOLOGY1
Chapter 2: Research Methodology
Introduction
The purpose of a research methodology is to outline the key steps and tools for data
collection to be used for the purpose of acquiring information relevant to answering the
identified research question and problem (Kumar 2019). With this respect, the following sections
of this chapter will expound upon the key methods and tools which will be used to identify the
effect of a Mediterranean diet on the mental health status of individuals with depression.
Research Paradigm/Philosophy
For the purpose of implementing the proposed research, the research philosophy of
positivism will be employed. Research philosophies reliant on positivism is associated with the
principle that human and social behaviors can be explained only by scientifically verifiable and
mathematical methods (Ryan 2018). Since this research proposes to adopt a quantitative
methodology for the purpose of exploring the effect of Mediterranean diet on the mental health
status of individuals via depression assessment scores, adoption of a positivism philosophy is of
relevance.
Research Design
Thus, with regards to the above identified research paradigm, a quantitative, survey based
research design would be selected for the study. Quantitative research designs are associated
with the collection of participant data which is measurable, objective and numerical in nature for
the purpose of establishing a correlation or cause-effect relationship between two concerned
variables. Standardized assessment questionnaires and surveys have been evidenced to be useful
in the collection of objective, quantifiable data from participants (Neuliep 2017). Since the

RESEARCH PROPOSAL METHODOLOGY2
proposed research is based upon identifying an association between Mediterranean Diet (MD)
and mental health status across patients with depression, using validated depression, quality of
life and dietary screening tools, the inclusion of a quantitative, survey based design would be the
most appropriate.
Population and Sampling
A probability sampling method such as randomized sampling will be carried out for the
purpose of randomly recruiting participants who have presented with a diagnosis of depression
across mental health day hospitals. A random sampling method will be utilized so as to ensure
that every participant with a diagnosis of depression, has equal chance or probability of being
recruited. This in turn, reduces the possibility of a selection bias which in turn, can harm the
validity of the proposed research (Etikan and Bala 2017). Participants will be recruited from a
mental health hospital due to the higher likelihood of such organizations to comprise of patients
or client with a prescribed diagnosis of depression as compared to community health centers
(Radd-Vagenas et al. 2018). Thus, a 15 patients from 4 mental health hospitals, that is a total of
60 participants will be recruited based on the following inclusion and exclusion criteria:
Inclusion Criteria
1. Patients admitted to mental health day hospitals who have been recently diagnosed with
depression within the last 6 weeks. This is because patients with a prolonged history of
depression may have greater experience in mental health management, which in turn, can
serve as a confounder.
2. Patients aged 18 to 65 years of age and admitted to mental health day organizations with
a prescribed diagnosis of depression. An age limit has been established to limit the

RESEARCH PROPOSAL METHODOLOGY3
confounding effect of age and also because children and the elderly may find it difficult
to comply with cooking instructions and an MD diet.
3. Patients who are not following dietary and food selection patterns similar to MD as per
dietary questionnaires to ensure the avoidance of confounders and hindrance to research
validity (Parletta et al. 2019).
Exclusion Criteria
1. Patients admitted to mental health day hospitals with a history of being diagnosed with
depression for more than 6 weeks.
2. Patients aged younger than or older than 18 to 65 years old age and admitted to mental
health day organizations with a prescribed diagnosis of depression.
3. Patients who are already following dietary and food selection patterns similar to MD as
per dietary questionnaires (Parletta et al. 2019).
Data Collection
After sample recruitment, participants will be requested to engage in a short educational
session where the researcher will educate participants in detail regarding the purpose and steps
required for them to follow to ensure research completion. This will then be followed by the
researcher engaging the participants belonging to each of the 4 mental health day hospitals in a
cooking session on a weekly basis where participants will be taught on basic recipes and food
selection patterns to follow for adherence to MD. In addition to the cooking session, participants
at each of the mental health day hospitals will also be provided food hampers comprising of
basic recipe instructions and ingredients for adhering to MD based dietary principles.
Participants may be unaware or lack resources concerning MD which in turn can harm the
validity of the proposed research and thus forms a key rationale underlying these interventions