COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Project 526/698-A Course Syllabus

Fall 2014

Instructor: Grace Reynolds, DPA Class Location: CBA 216Ph: 562.985.5885 (Instructor) Class Time: Monday 7-9:45 p.m.Ph: 562.985.5694 (Program) Fax: 562.985.5886Office Hours: Monday

2-4 p.m. Additional Departmental Contact:Deby McGill, dmcgill@csulb.eduTelephone: 562-985-5694; fax: 562-985-5886

1. Catalog Description

Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, completion of 502, 535, and all prerequisites, consent of the instructor, and in good academic standing. The purpose of Project 698-A is to provide students with the skills and techniques of research to design and carry out their own investigation of a health care or health services project. Letter grade only (A-F).

2. Course OverviewIntroduction to research methodology and its application in health care administration. This course is needed to prepare students for completion of Project 698 B (part II of this two semester course), which is conceptualization, design and execution of research project.

3. Course Objectives, Measurable Student Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course students should be able to:

A. Demonstrate an understanding of basic research design. B. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various design approaches.C. Outline the steps necessary to successfully operationalize and carry

out a research project.D. Understand the ethics of using human beings in research studies.E. Understand the ethical implications of data collection and participant

confidentiality.F. Use basic statistical techniques and software.G. Distinguish various sampling strategies and the advantages and

disadvantages of each.H. Appraise threats to the internal and external validity of a research

study.

I. Synthesize the peer-reviewed literature on the research topic selected.

J. Design a research project.K. Construct the chapters of the final project using American

Psychological Association format.

The primary focus areas are:

Review of basic univariate and bivariate statistical tests, including means, standard deviation, measures of central tendency (median, mode, mean), t-tests, chi-square, correlation

Use of descriptive and inferential statistics Introduction to multivariate approaches, including forecasting,

regression and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) Basic research designs (cross-sectional, pre-test/post-test,

longitudinal, cohort, retrospective and prospective, experimental and quasi-experimental)

Internal and external validity and threats to each Human subjects protection, including the Belmont Report and

HIPAA Critical Review of the Literature (peer-reviewed) and Information

Sources Sampling design and methods Type I and Type II error Data collection through surveys and self-report Use of secondary data sets Developing a research project to be completed in Project B or

developing a Business plan

Learning Objective

Domain Competency Assessment Method

Understand the ethics issues involved in the use of human subjects in research

Professionalism Ethics committee’s roles, structure and functions

Knowledge and retention of material; class participation

Construct the chapters of the research project using American Psychological Association formatting

Professionalism Professional standards and codes of ethics

Write up of chapters 1-3 of the research project using APA format OR research paper consisting of critical literature review

Understand the Business Confidentiality Class discussion

ethical implication of data collection and participant confidentiality

Knowledge and Skills

principles and laws

Case studies

Demonstrate an understanding of basic research design

Business Knowledge and Skills

Outcomes measures and management

Lecture, class discussionWrite up of research questions and hypothesesMethods chapter

Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various research design approaches

Business Knowledge and Skills

Broad systems connections—potential impacts and consequences of decisions in a wide variety of situations both internal and external

Lecture, class discussion

Outline the steps necessary to successfully operationalize and carry out a research project

Business Knowledge and Skills

Principles of database and file management

Lecture Write up of research questions and hypothesesCritical review of research literatureFinal exam

Analyze data Using basic statistical techniques and software

Business Knowledge and Skills

Data collection, measurement and analysis tools and techniques;Application software;Basis statistical analysis

Results write up for chapterIn-class computer lab assignments

Distinguish various sampling strategies and the advantages and disadvantages of each

Business Knowledge and Skills

Comparative analysis strategies

Lecture, class discussion

Appraise threats to the internal and external validity of a

Business Knowledge and Skills

Comparative analysis strategies

Lecture, Class participation

research studySynthesize the peer-reviewed research literature on the topic chosen for the research project

Business Knowledge and Skills

Health informaticsElectronic education and information resources and systems

Literature review tableChapter write upResearch paper

Design a research project

Business Knowledge and Skills

Data analysis, including manipulation, understanding of, and ability to explain data

Write up of results section; creation of tables and figuresComputer labs

This is a broad outline of topics to be covered. Subject matter and sequence of topics may vary according to needs of students.

August 25 Introduction and OverviewDiscussion of course requirements, class participation, course materials, computer lab, course grading, course format, textbooks, and how Project A and Project B are related and the transition from this two-course sequence to a one-semester project or business plan.Overview of APA formatExamples of past projectsExamples of Research Questions and testable hypothesesOverview of Data Sets for Secondary AnalysisPresentation by instructor on public use datasets with health services/medical care focus; codebooks; data formats and syntax for accessing.Choosing your dependent variable ORChoosing your business plan topic

Sept. 1 Labor Day—class does not meet

Sept. 8 Introduction to Research MethodsLecture/Reading: Chapter 1 Shi

Chapter 2 ShiChapter 5 Shi

Introduction to Literature Review Table and some examplesTurning Dross into Gold Exercise in class

Sept. 15 Chapter 3 Shi Chapter 4 Shi

Decision about which deliverables and which type of project you wish to pursue; written agreement with instructor

Sept. 22 Research DesignLecture/Reading Chapter 7 Shi

Chapter 10 Shi

Data Collection through Surveys and Self-Reports Lecture/Reading Chapter 8 ShiAPA format review and in-class exercises

Sept. 29 Sampling Lecture/Reading Chapter 11, Shi

Assignment Due: Completed Literature Review Tables

Oct. 6 Statistics & review Chapter 12 ShiIn-class exercise computer lab

Oct. 13 Analyzing and Interpreting Data—Inferential Statistics—t-tests, Chi square analysis –in class exercise and homework exercises assigned

Lecture/Reading Chapter 13 & 14 in ShiIn-class statistics exercise and computer

Oct. 20 Computer lab

Oct. 27 Class does not meet—Library day to work on Background section which is due at 11:59 p.m. Background section due/market analysis due.

Nov. 3 Overview of Methods sectionComputer lab

Nov. 10 Computer lab

Nov. 17 Overview of Results Section, Shi Chapter 15Methods Section Due/ feasibility analysis due

Nov. 24 Final computer lab

Dec. 1 Final Exam (cumulative for all material covered during semester)

Dec. 8 Results Section due by 11:59 pm/ legal and tax analysis due

Of Special Note for students:

1. Students should acquire a good memory stick or flash drive for transporting data to/from the computer lab for analysis. Most students use secondary data available from the instructor for their projects.2. Students wishing to use data from an employer or internship site MUST have written permission to use the data. A copy of the letter giving permission MUST be on file with the instructor and included in the IRB protocol for submission to the CSULB Office of University Research.3. Students are advised that employers and internship sites FREQUENTLY deny students the use of their data.4. Students are advised that once a letter of permission is obtained from the employer or internship site, there may be costs of data preparation; these costs can run up to $350-$500. The CSULB HCA program will NOT reimburse students for any costs associated with the preparation of data for the project.5. Students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to discuss any primary data collection ideas with the class instructor as soon as possible—again, there may be costs that must be covered by the student and it is important that students understand these costs, etc. before embarking on a project that will take more time and/or money than they have.6. The Library submission deadlines DRIVE when a student completes their project, therefore, Library submission deadlines DETERMINE the semester of the student’s graduation. Library submission dates CANNOT BE CHANGED BY THE COURSE INSTRUCTOR and ARE FIRM. The deadlines for the 2014-2015 academic year are inserted above as part of this syllabus. 7. All projects must be read by THREE faculty—the course instructor, the department chair and one other reader from the full-time HCA faculty. ALL revisions from all three faculty readers MUST be made before the project will be signed off by the faculty. This process can take up to a month or more, depending on the extent of the revisions needed.8. Students planning on a May 2015 graduation under the traditional option of the two-course length project MUST have their final project to the instructor no later than February 16, 2015 to ensure that sufficient time for comments and revisions is allowed. Students who do not meet this deadline will be able to submit to the Library in May/June for an August (summer) 2015 graduation.

Thesis / Project Report Submission Deadlines  

Semester Submission Period Date Your Paper

Summer 2014  5/30/14 - 7/11/14  August 2014 

 Fall 2014 9/5/14 - 10/17/14  December 2014 

Winter 2015  11/21/14 - 1/2/15  January 2015 

Spring 2015  2/6/15 - 3/20/15  May 2015 

Beginning fall 2014 all project submissions to the Library must be done electronically. See the Library website under Thesis submissions for more details.

Grading:

Attendance is required. The instructor enforces the CSULB attendance policy on excused and unexcused absences. You must have a doctors’ note or other written justification (jury duty, military orders) if you miss class and wish to make up in-class exercises. Only CSULB—approved excused absences with appropriate documentation will be accepted. Work-related absences ARE NOT considered to be excused.

California State University, Long Beach Policy Statement

01-01 January 30, 2001

ATTENDANCE POLICY

This new policy was recommended by the Academic Senate on October 5, 2000 and approved by the President on December 14, 2000.

Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Classroom participation is often one of the necessary and important means of learning and in many classes is essential to the educational objectives of the course.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

Students may have a valid reason to miss a class. When any of the following reasons directly conflict with class meeting times, students are responsible for informing faculty members of the reason for the absence and for arranging to make up missed assignments, tests, quizzes, and class work insofar as this is possible. Excused absences include, but are not limited to:

1. Illness or injury to the student

2. Death, injury, or serious illness of an immediate family member or the like

3. Religious reasons (California Education Code section 89320)

4. Jury duty or government obligation

5. University sanctioned or approved activities (examples include: artistic performances, forensics presentations, participation in research conferences, intercollegiate athletic activities, student government, required class field trips, etc.)

Faculty members are not obligated to consider other absences as excused.

Grading is based on the following assignments/points:

For students choosing the 2-semester data analytic project:Literature review table 10 pointsBackground/Literature Review 30 pointsMethods Section 25 pointsResults Section 30 pointsIn-class exercises (10 total) 100 points (10X10 pts)Final Exam 100 points

Total points 300

For students choosing the 1 semester of research methods and one semester project or business plan:Literature review table 10 pointsBackground/market analysis paper 30 pointsFeasibility analysis 30 pointsLegal & tax issues paper 25 pointsIn-class exercises (10 total) 100 points (10X10 pts)Final Exam 100 points

Total points 300

I DO NOT ROUND POINTS/GRADES UP. IF YOU GET 89.999% THAT IS A GRADE OF B. IF YOU GET 79.999% THAT IS A GRADE OF C.

Information about required and optional readings

Required textbooks: Shi, Leiyu (2007). Health Services Research Methods, 2nd edition. Cengage Learning: New York.

The following is a short list of books that students may find helpful to consult.

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition (2009). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.

Bausell-Barker, R. & Li, Y-F. (2006). Power Analysis for Experimental Research: A Practical Guide for the Biological, Medical and Social Sciences. Boston, MA: Cambridge University Press.

Fink, Arlene. (1998). Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From Paper to the Internet. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Ford, Brian K., Bornstein, Jay M., & Pruin, Patrick T. (2007). The Ernest and Young Business Plan Guide. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley and Son, Publishers

Lewins, Ann & Silver, Christine (2007). Using Software in Qualitative Research: a Step-by-Step Guide. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Lipsey, M. W. & Wilson, D. B. (2001). Practical Meta-Analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Miles, Matthew B. & Huberman, Michael (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Pallant, Julie. (2003). SPSS Survival Manual. New York, New York: Open University Press/McGraw-Hill

Pinson, Linda (2005). Anatomy of a Business Plan. Chicago, IL: Dearborn Trade Publishing.

Schroeder, Larry D., Sjoquist, David L., & Stephan, Paula E. (1986). Understanding Regression Analysis: An Introductory Guide. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

GENERAL GUIDELINES ON THE PROJECT:[1] The project primarily uses the written assignments prepared

during the fall and spring semesters; it must be analytical in nature, that is, analyze administrative or clinical data and have the following sections: Abstract, Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.

[2] The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association [6th edication] is the required style guide for all written work.

[3] These written assignments are:[a] Writing Assignment #1: Background and Literature

Review [b] Writing Assignment #2: Methods and Data Sources,

Sampling

[d] Writing Assignment #3: Results[e] Writing Assignment #4: Conclusion, Discussion and

Limitations

[4] Each written assignment should be word processed, be double-spaced and have one inch on top, bottom, left, and right margins.

[a] It should have section headings, where appropriate, printed in bold.

[b] It should have page numbers on each page except the first page. The page numbers should be in the upper right corner.

[c] The assignments should be printed in a 12 character per inch font.

[d] There should be double spacing between paragraphs and after a heading.

[e] Each written assignment should conform exactly to the page structure and format requested. In most instances, this will require careful thought and editing on content.

[5] References, when used in any assignments, should be listed on the last, and a separate page.

[6] The final project is due in early 2014 if you intend to finish it in two semesters—this is the date final copies are due to the Thesis Office. If you want to finish it in one semester, then more rigorous timeline is needed for completion. Preliminary drafts should be submitted beforehand to allow ample time for critique by the instructor. Project reports are typically about 30-50 pages long, not including appendices. A final original copy of your completed project will be kept in the HCA program office.

[7] The purpose of this course is to develop the ability/habit of critical thinking and reasoning while learning and this can be best accomplished in a setting of phased learning. The written assignments and the feedback students receive from the instructor are designed to advance the cause of critical thinking and writing. This means students are expected to revise written assignments based on instructor’s comments.

[8] Student papers in this course presume both research, and original and individual thought. Any source the student uses in the composition of the assignments/papers must be cited fully and accurately. The University Code of Honesty describes plagiarism as “giving the impression that you have written or thought something that in fact you borrowed from someone else.” Any failure (whether accidental and/or intentional) to follow the standards of scholarly accuracy

constitutes dishonesty and will result in a mark of ‘F’ for this course.

[9] Papers will be returned for revision in a reasonable time period (about 2 weeks).

[10] Students should revise the original paper and discuss it with the instructor to make sure changes are accurate.

[11] Student should seriously consider purchasing EndNote software for the management of references (cost about $99 from CSULB bookstore) or using RefWorks, which is available at no charge by following the links on the CSULB Library webpage. Students must have a valid Student ID number and Library password to use RefWorks.

Instructional Policies Requirements

The following University policies will appear on every syllabus for this course, regardless of instructor:

CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM

The following is excerpted from the California State University, Long Beach Policy Statement 85-19, dated December 13, 1985.

It is the policy of the faculty and administration to deal effectively with the student who practices cheating or plagiarism. These acts are fundamentally destructive of the process of education and the confident evaluation of a student's mastery over a subject. A University maintains respect and functions successfully within the larger community when its reputation is built on honesty. By the same token, each student benefits in helping to maintain the integrity of the University. This policy, therefore, provides for a variety of faculty actions including those which may lead to the assignment of a failing grade for a course and for administrative actions which may lead to dismissal from the University. It is the intent to support the traditional values that students are on their honor to perform their academic duties in an ethical manner. GENERAL:

The following definitions of cheating and plagiarism shall apply to all work submitted by a student.

DEFINITION OF PLAGIARISM:

Plagiarism is defined as the act of using the ideas or work of another person or persons as if they were one's own, without giving credit to the source. Such an act is not plagiarism if it is ascertained that the ideas were arrived at through independent reasoning or logic or where the thought or idea is common knowledge.

Acknowledgement of an original author or source must be made through appropriate references, i.e., quotation marks, footnotes, or commentary. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to, the following: the submission of a work, either in part or in whole, completed by another; failure to give credit for ideas, statements, facts or conclusions with rightfully belong to another; in written work, failure to use quotation

marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, a sentence, or even a part thereof. If you are doing close and lengthy paraphrasing of another writing or paraphrasing, you should consult the instructor.

Students are cautioned that, in conducting their research, they should prepare their notes by (a) either quoting material exactly (using quotation marks) at the time they take notes from a source; or (b) departing completely from the language used in the source, putting the material into their own words. In this way, when the material is used in the paper or project, the student can avoid plagiarism resulting from verbatim use of notes. Both quoted and paraphrased materials must be given proper citations.

DEFINITION OF CHEATING:

Cheating is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain or aiding another to obtain academic credit for work by the use of any dishonest, deceptive or fraudulent means. Examples of cheating during an examination would include, but not be limited to the following: copying, either in part or in wholes, from another test or examination; discussion of answers or ideas relating to the answers on an examination or test unless such discussion is specifically authorized by the instructor; giving or receiving copies of an exam without the permission of the instructor; using or displaying notes; "cheat sheets," or other information or devices inappropriate to the prescribed test conditions, as when the test of competence includes a test of unassisted recall of information, skill, or procedure; allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent the same. Also included is plagiarism as defined and altering or interfering with the grading procedures.

It is often appropriate for students to study together or to work in teams on projects. However, such students should be careful to avoid use of unauthorized assistance, and to avoid any implication of cheating, by such means as sitting apart from one another in examinations, presenting the work in a manner which clearly indicates the effort of each individual, or such other method as is appropriate to the particular course.

ACADEMIC ACTION:

One or more of the following academic actions are available to the faculty member who finds a student has been cheating or plagiarizing.

(a) Review -- no action. (b) An oral reprimand with emphasis on counseling toward prevention of

further occurrences; (c) A requirement that the work be repeated; (d) Assignment of a score of zero (0) for the specific demonstration of

competence, resulting in the proportional reduction of final course grade;

(e) Assignment of a failing final grade; (f) Referral to the Office of Judicial Affairs for possible probation, suspension,

or expulsion.

Although the University catalog does not cover this aspect of plagiarism, please be aware that it is NOT acceptable to submit the same paper for two courses. If you want to write a paper on the same topic area for two different courses, you must submit two different papers. If the faculty discovers that you have submitted the same paper for another course, you will receive a failing grade for your paper in this course.

Withdrawal Policy

This Policy Statement supersedes Policy Statement 85-01 (Rev.). It was revised by the Academic Senate on November 8, 2001, and received the concurrence of the President on February 7, 2002. It was further revised on July 30, 2002, to bring it into conformity with a change in Title V regulations governing the refund of student fees.

WITHDRAWAL (W)

The symbol "W" indicates that the student was permitted to drop a course after the second week of instruction with the approval of the instructor and appropriate campus official. It carries no connotation of quality of student performance and is not used in calculating grade point average.

Students are held responsible for completion of every course in which they register OR FOR WITHDRAWING DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF CLASSES FROM COURSES WHICH THEY DO NOT INTEND TO COMPLETE. Application for withdrawal from the University or from a class must be officially filed by the student at the Admissions and Records Office whether the student has ever attended the class or not; otherwise, the student will receive a grade of "U" (unauthorized incomplete) in the course. Application for withdrawal is made at the Admissions and Records Office.

Regulations governing the refund of student fees in the California State University system are prescribed by the CSU Board of Trustees; see California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Education, Section 41802.

1. Withdrawal during the first two weeks of instruction:

Students may withdraw during this period and the course will not appear on their permanent records. To do this a student must file a Complete Withdrawal Application to drop all classes or a Change of Program Form for a specific class or classes.

2. Withdrawal after the second week of instruction and prior to the final three weeks of instruction:

Withdrawal during this period are permissible only for serious and compelling reasons. The procedure for withdrawal during this period are the same as in item 1, except that the approval signatures of the instructor and department chairperson are required. The request and approvals shall state the reasons for the withdrawal. Students should be aware that the definition of "serious and compelling reasons" as applied by faculty and administrators may become narrower as the semester progresses. Copies of such approvals are kept on file in the Admissions and Records Office.

3. Withdrawal during the final three weeks of instruction:

Withdrawal during the final three weeks of instruction are not permitted except in cases such as accident or serious illness where the circumstances causing the withdrawal are clearly beyond the student's control and the assignment of an Incomplete is not practical. Ordinarily, withdrawal in this category will involve total withdrawal from the campus except that a Credit/No Credit grade or an Incomplete may be assigned for courses in which sufficient work has been completed to permit an evaluation to be made. Request for permission to withdraw under these circumstances must be made in writing on forms available in the Office of Admissions and Records. The requests and approvals shall state the reasons for the withdrawal. These requests must be approved by the instructor,

department chairperson and dean of the school. Copies of such approvals are kept on file in the Office of Admissions and Records.

4. Medical Withdrawal:               Complete Medical Withdrawal:

         The University may allow a student to withdraw without academic penalty from all classes if the following criteria are met:

A. A completed Medical Withdrawal Form, including any required documentation, is submitted to Enrollment Services before the end of the semester, and

B. The student presents evidence to demonstrate that a severe medical or debilitating psychological condition prevented the student from attending and/or doing the required work of the courses to the extent that it was impossible to complete the courses.

The Provost (or designee) will review the evidence presented and, in consultation with appropriate medical or psychological professionals as needed, determine whether the request for a medical withdrawal should be granted.

Repeat Complete Medical Withdrawal:

If the student has received a complete medical withdrawal in the immediately preceding term, then additional complete medical withdrawal requests must consider the question of whether or not the student can complete appropriate educational objectives, and must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. After a repeat medical withdrawal is granted, the student may be required to obtain a clearance from an appropriate medical or psychological professional that states the student is well enough to return to classes with the full expectation that the student will be able to complete the semester and intended educational objectives.

Partial Medical Withdrawal:

Students seeking withdrawal from part of their enrollment for any reason, including medical or psychological reasons, are subject to the normal withdrawal policy and process.

Instructor Withdrawal:

An instructor may withdraw a student who has never attended a class by completing an "Instructor Drop Card" and submitting it to the Office of Admissions and Records along with the Enrollment Verification List at the end of the third week of classes. Students, however, should not rely on the instructor to do this and should officially withdraw from classes themselves to avoid assignment of a "U" in the course.

An instructor may also withdraw a student who has enrolled in a course requiring "permission of the instructor" or completion of prerequisites if the student has not properly secured this permission or satisfactorily completed the prerequisites before enrolling.

Selected Bibliography Aiken, Leona S. and West, Stephen G. (1991). Multiple

Regression. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications. Burns, Robert B. (2000). Introduction to Research Methods.

Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Campbell, D.T. and J. C. Stanley (1966). Experimental and

Quasi-experimental Designs for Research. Skokie, IL: Rand McNally.

Cook, T. D. and D. T. Campbell. (1979) Quasi-experimentation: Design and Analysis Issues for Field Settings. Skokie, IL: Rand McNally.

Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power for the Behavioral Sciences. 2nd ed. Hilllsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Creswell, John. W. (2002). Research Design, 2nd ed. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications

Devore, Jay & Peck, Roxy. (1990). Introductory Statistics. Minneapolis, MN: West Publishing

Glantz, Stanton A. & Slinker, Bryan K. (2001). Primer of Applied Regression & Analysis of Variance. New York, New York: McGraw Hill.

Grol, Richard, Baker, Richard, & Moss, Fiona. (2004). Quality Improvement Research: Understanding the Science of Change in Health Care. B. M. J. Publishing

Harrell, Frank E. Jr. (2001). Regression Modeling Strategies: With Applications to Linear Models, Logistic Regression and Survival Analysis. New York: Springer-Verlag

Hosmer, David W. & Lemeshow, Stanley. (2000). Applied Logistic Regression, 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Kumar, Ranjit. (2005). Research Methodology, 2nd ed. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

Lipsey, Mark W. (1989). Design Sensitivity. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications

Munro, Barbara H. & Page, Ellis B. (1993). Statistical Methods for Health Care Research. J. B. Lippincott Co.

Sales, Bruce D. & Folkman, Susan. (2001). Ethics in Research with Human Participants. Washington, D. C.: American Psychological Association.

Spector, Paul E. (1981). Research Designs. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Small Business Administration website for business plans http:www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html

http://entrepreneur.com/businessplan/index.html

HCA 698-A Project 16