Combat Status and deployments on subseqent domestic violence within heterosexual couples of military veterans

Section 1 and 2
All highlighted in red indicate what should be fixed for more clarity.
Use more recent articles less than or 5 years old for primary sources
Section 1. Topic Endorsement
1.1 Research Topic (2 paragraphs)

FIRST PARAGRAPH: Describe the specific topic to be studied.

SECOND PARAGRAPH: describe the significance of this topic to your program/field (e.g., Psychology, Counseling, Business, Technology, Public Service Leadership, Education, etc.) AND your specialization within your program.

The Research Topic should be correctly formed:

? The Research Topic should be appropriate for the specialization.
? The Research Topic should use appropriate language for key concepts/phenomena.
? Relationships between/among the concepts should be clearly specified (e.g., correlation).
? The target population should be named
? The concepts should be appropriately focused.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

Overview of the Research Topic
The topic of my research is the combat status and deployments on subsequent domestic violence with heterosexual couples of military veterans. The research is framed as “a correlation analysis of combat status and deployments on subsequent domestic violence within heterosexual couples of military veterans”( Explain the term combat exposure. Also avoid the word “framed”). For nearly three decades, and especially after the return of soldiers from Vietnam, researchers have paid attention to impact of exposure to combat on individuals’ mental health. However, in the present day, veterans seem to be more than ever at risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (Elbogen et al., 2014) and alcohol and substance abuse (Stappenbeck et al., 2013; Sevarese et al., 2001) which have been linked to increased risk of violence among veterans. This is can be attributed to the fact that military servicemen as well as women deployed in conflict areas may have been exposed to significant psychological stressors which cause emotional and mental disorders (Beckham, Moore & Reynolds, 2000). However, there is increased concern regarding an alleged rise in violent acts amongst military staff returning from deployment to countries facing war such as Afghanistan and Iraq (Stappenbeck et al., 2013). More and more researchers are interested in examining aggressive acts committed by military veterans more so because of the increasing media tales of violence by returning soldiers.
The findings of this study will shade light on the role of combat exposure in perpetuation of domestic violence. Consequently, the study will provide useful information for those in charge of healthcare, military as well as justice systems which will inform future risk assessments as well as the execution of prevention strategies amongst ex –servicemen and active servicemen( Use rather the term service members) who have been engaged in combat operations. That is to say, this study seeks to cultivate s culture within the aforementioned systems of looking beyond perpetrators’ and placing perpetrators’ current conduct as well as circumstances within the context of their individual history. Moreover, this study will be a timely step in better comprehending family violence among veteran population. Subsequently, this will help in mitigating the numerous health as well as interpersonal consequences related with violence within families.

1.2 Research Problem (1 Paragraph)

Write a brief statement that fully describes the problem being addressed.

In simplified terms, the research problem should take this form:
“The research literature on _________ indicates that we know ________, we know __________, but we do not know ______________.”

The Research Problem should be correctly stated:
? Existing literature and key findings should be summarized
? Gaps or problems in the existing literature should be clearly formulated
? The Research Problem should be explicitly stated, not implied.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

Research Problem
Several research studies have scrutinized the extent of violent behavior exhibited by veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq (Elbogen et al., 2014; MacManus et al., 2015). In Elbogen et al.’s (2014) study, 9% of the 1090 veterans involved in the study reported that they had engaged in severe violence( what is severe violence?) while 26% had engaged in other physical aggressive acts. Furthermore, MacManus et al.’s (2015) meta-analyzed research studies which had been published between 2001 and 2014 and related to the prevalence of violent and aggressive conduct among U.S and UK military staff following deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq; the relationship with deployment and exposure to combat; and the role played by problems associated with mental health on the path between deployment and combat to violence. These researchers found that aggressive behavior was prevalent among both formerly as well as serving military personnel with physical assault and all other types of physical aggression accounting for 10% and 29% respectively. Moreover, the rates were higher among combat-exposed previously serving personnel. According to MacManus et al. (2015), a good number of studies implied a small-to-moderate connection between combat exposure and post-deployment physical aggression and violence.
(Please, describe also what we do not know) . In fact, if what we do not know is well articulated then the research question will be easily stated too.
RESIDENCY LEARNERS ONLY:
Specialization Chair Topic Endorsement
• After completing Section 1, “Topic Endorsement,” addressing the Research Topic and Research Problem, submit the form to your Residency Instructor for approval. Follow the instructions carefully.
• Collaborate with your Residency Instructor until you have approval for the Section 1, “Topic Endorsement.” After you have received their approval for Section 1, your Residency Instructor will submit this section to your Specialization Chair or Designee for Topic Endorsement via email using the Topic Endorsement Rubric form.
• The Specialization Chair or Designee will notify you and your Residency Instructor of their decision and a copy of the decision will be sent to [email protected].
Section 2. Research Overview
2.1 Research Problem Background (3 paragraphs)
Provide a brief SUMMARY of your review of the research literature on the topic. This should include citations from at least 10 articles, but should indicate that you have performed a full review of the literature (minimum of 75 articles) on the topic. This should be demonstrated by providing a statement about the body of existing literature on the topic, then, summarizing recent research findings on the topic, highlighting the findings that are most relevant to your proposed study, demonstrating how your proposed research could add to the existing literature on the topic. Be sure to provide appropriate in text citations and include references in the reference section.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.
• Use APA style in citing all resources.
• This will not be your full dissertation literature review but an initial foundation. You will continue to add to your literature review throughout your dissertation process. Research Problem Background
Rand and Renisson (2005)( Make sure that primary sources are less than or 5 years old) conducted a research study that showed 3 to 6 percent of violence at the home front are by intimate partners. As per the study, there are two theoretical causes of the violence committed by partners against their lovers. First, men use violence as a means of making them gain the power to control their partners and homes. Secondly, violence happens unexpectedly as a result of heated arguments between the family members. Violence in families is as a result of stress and psychological distress. Taft et al. (2007) took a sample of sixty veterans with efforts to establish the relationship between anger and stress about relationship feuds. The research identified that stress is the main causative agent of relationship wrangles. Participants with high levels of anger displayed higher potentialities of indulging in violence. Taft et al. (2007) endured yet in another research using 265 combat veterans to that was directed to test a model that could help to explore the interrelationship between combat exposure as well as the posttraumatic stress disorder and dysphoria and how they influenced violence. This research established that exposure to combat indirectly facilitated to aggression.
Savarese et al. (2001) conducted a research to investigate the relationship between hyper-arousal features of posttraumatic stress and marital abuse together with violence caused by men. They used a sample of 376 couples who had participated in the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study. The research reported that these couples who participated in the combat operations displayed more aggressiveness as a result of torture in the operations together with psychological provocation. In other studies, exposure to combat has facilitated to the increase in more instances of intimate partner violence. Research conducted by Taft et al. (2009) showed that 91% of cases reported on veterans committing psychological aggression against their partners and were potentially active to indulge in acts of violence. This study outlined that between 13.5 % and 58% was the range on what the military intimates could show acts of aggressiveness to their partners. This study also established post-traumatic stress disorder was the factor that contributed the highest level of violence and aggression on veterans to their partners.
Fonseca et al. (2006) undertook an intensive evaluation of variables associated with intimate violence. A sample of soldiers was deployed for the study. The study resulted at that 15% ( compared to what ? avoid use of percentage) of the veterans agreed( please clarify) on perpetrating their partner with violence. This was facilitated by less education, stress as well as less satisfaction in the relationship( Lack of clarity. Another research conducted by McCarroll et al. (2010) showed( avoid this word. Use rather indicates, supported) that a lengthy deployment( define lengthy deployment? For who? Army? Navy? 12 months? 15 months?) in the combat is another biggest facilitator to stress and psychological problems. The research study observed that the greater the service the combat men and women endured in the missions, the greater the intensity the on the violence and aggression( Lack of clarity).. Orcutt, King and King (2003) demonstrated that, in a research, exposure to combat and deployment exposed veterans to violence against intimate partners. However, this is not the only thing that facilitates to violence. Stress and psychological problems were a very genuine contributor to the problem. Research by Taft, Vogt, Marshall, Panuzo & Niles, (2007) also, indicated that symptomatology should not be concentrated on determining the cause of violence because violence causes are diverse( Lack of clarity). Elbogen et al. (2010), in that study finds out that posttraumatic stress and other psychological trauma triggers violence in relationships( lack of clarity).

2.2 Research Question(s)

List the primary Research Question and any Sub-Questions that the proposed study will address.

Your Research Question (s) should be correctly formed:

? The Research Question(s) should be aligned with your Research Problem, the Research Topic, and the Dissertation Title.
? There should be separate Research Question(s) and/or subquestions identified for each intended analysis.
? The Research Question(s) should be phrased in a way that it can be answered by the intended methodology and analyses.
• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

Research question
From the above appraisal of prior research studies, it is clear that the role combat exposure has on the occurrence of domestic violence within veteran families has not be sufficiently explored. Therefore this study seeks to answer the following question:
Is there a correlation between combat exposure and domestic violence perpetuation amongst veterans of Iraq and/ Afghanistan wars?
(Because we did not describe clearly what we do not know yet (in section 1.2 Research problem), it makes it difficult to clearly describe the research problem.

2.3 Purpose of the Study
State the purpose of the study. The purpose of the study will be to answer the research question in order to solve the research problem and to contribute information about the wider social or community problem to a specific audience or audiences.
Note:
Describe the purpose using the language of your specific study, topic, research problem, and research question.
With the rising reported cases of violence and aggression among the Veteran of war relationships, it has raised concerns and that research to establish the cause of the problems is inevitable. The lifestyle of deployed soldiers in the combat tends to be changing after the missions. The love life of these individuals tend to fade, and it is replaced by animosity, violence and aggression against their partners. Some cases are extreme that even lead to murder and serious injuries from fights. This research seeks to establish the cause of the violence and aggressions among partners. The research also seeks to establish the relationship between combat exposure of soldiers and relationship wrangles characterized by aggression and violence (Reframe). This research is not establishing any relationship.

2.4 Methodology and Basic Design Overview

Provide an overview of the research methodology and design that you are proposing
• State your rationale for studying the Research Problem with a QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.

• State your study’s RESEARCH DESIGN (non-experimental, experimental, quasi-experimental, etc.), and the rationale for selecting that design (why the design is appropriate for answering the Research Question).

• Briefly describe the data collection, statistical models, and analysis that will be used to conduct the study.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources This study will utilize quantitative correlational research design. This research design was chosen simply because the proposed study is aimed at examining the connection between combat exposure and occurrence of domestic violence among military veterans. As stated by Creswell (2005), “a correlation is a statistical test to determine the tendency or pattern for two (or more) variables or two sets of data to vary consistently” (p.325). Furthermore, with correlational designs researchers can provide explanations for the observed relationships.
Data collection and sampling procedures
The researcher will contact community organizations for veterans and legions to obtain information on how to access possible participants. Thereafter, letters will be sent to the possible participants inviting them to participate in the study. The study will utilize a sample of fifty and the participants will be selected randomly. In this study, the first fifty individuals to accept the invitation will be selected to participate in the study. Thereafter, a package including an informed consent as well as instruments sheet will be sent to the selected participants for completion.
The researcher will also utilize study codes on documents that contain data. For instance, a questionnaire that is completed can be appropriate for use rather than having to record information and keeping a separate document. The separate document kept may link the code of the study to the information hidden hence by eliminating it, there will be anonymity (Crow and Wiles, 2008).(This paragraph should be replaced because we will use ONLINE SURVEY. POTENTIAL USING SURVEY MONKEY. Therefore show how the advantages of ONLINE SUREVEY MONKEY FOR THIS RESEARCH STUDY in terms of Anonymity, confidentiality, right to withdrawal and impact of informal consent).In fact,this topic was not approved pending additional detail about the methodology. The not approving remark stated this “ Because the General Psychology program does not provide clinical training nor does it assess the clinical skills of its learners, studies that involve participants that may be vulnerable and at risk for clinically defined problems are not appropriate. Given the large number of post-combat veterans who suffer from diagnosed or undiagnosed PTSD and diagnosed or This study’s topic involves topic appropriate for the clinical program and is an important topic. So two action items:

1. Determine how this study might be conducted anonymously and thus not require a signed consent form. By requiring a signature the participants’ identities are provided and increase the risk of prosocial responses as well as reduces the researcher’s level of contact with those participants which may fall into the vulnerable category.
Consult with the IRB to determine if there are any problems with this suggestion.
So this is the reason why I suggest that we change our methodology by using Online survey.

The participants who will provide the required details for the study to be conducted can also be asked for consent before the information is kept in the archives. This will enable the material to be used even in future (Corti, Day, & Backhouse, 2000).
Population and Sample
The study’s target population is military ex-servicemen who were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. The study will utilize a sample of 100 participants. Veterans will be recruited through the community organization for veterans and legions. Letters will be sent inviting them to volunteer in the study evaluating the effects of recent deployments on couples’ well-being. The first hundred Volunteers who complete informed consent procedures will be notified of their acceptance to be part of the study ( USE G-POWER. 50 ? or 100 participants)..
Research Data
Constructs
Construct 1: combat exposure. Variable: Combat exposure. Operational definition: Combat Exposure Scale scores
Construct 2: domestic violence. Variable: domestic violence. Operational definition: Conflict Tactics Scale scores
(CTS What are the significant limitations)
Variables
Combat exposure is described as exposure to various combat events including: firing weapon at the enemy; seeing dead enemies or colleagues; killing somebody; seeing the enemy or colleague wounded; and finding oneself in a situation that one could not imagine that he/she would survive.
Domestic violence according to the Task Force on Domestic violence includes “ the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force, violence, deadly weapon, sexual assault, stalking or the intentional destruction of property; or, behavior that has intent or impact of placing victim in fear of physical injury; or a pattern of behavior resulting in emotional/psychological abuse, economic control, and/or interference with personal liberty directed toward any of the following persons: a current or former spouse” (Diane Publishing, 2003, p.81).
Operational definitions
Combat exposure refers to exposure to various situations including being on a dangerous duty, firing rounds at the enemy among others. Combat exposure is represented by the sum total of the scores on the 7 items included in the Combat Exposure Scale. The items are rated on a five-point frequency: 1 representing “never” or “no” to 5 representing “more than fifty times.”
Domestic violence is measured using the Conflict Tactics Scale which measures victimization as well as perpetration of 3 tactics which are often used in conflicts between partners: psychological aggression, physical assault and negotiation.
Measures/Instruments
This study is aimed at exploring the correlation between exposure to combat and perpetration of domestic violence within heterosexual couples of military veterans. There will be two main variables: Combat exposure and incidence of domestic violence. Data will be collected using two instruments: Conflict Tactics Scale and Combat Exposure Scale designed by Keane et al. (1989). The Combat Exposure Scale was used to identify veterans who had been deployed to combat operations and experiences combat exposure. The Combat Exposure Scale (Keane et al., 1989) was initially designed to evaluate exposure to combat in veterans of Vietnam and is a seven-item questionnaire.
Conflict tactic Scale will be use to collect domestic violence data from the selected participants. This is a self-report instrument that seeks to obtain data from the participants regarding their frequency of engagement in different behaviors during the previous year. In this case, participants will be asked to report on their violent acts toward their partners. Therefore, the self –report provided by the participants in this study correspond to offender data. The Conflict Tactics Scale responses will be rated on a five-point scale, that is, 0-4, with 0 representing lack of violence. The Conflict Tactics Scales are the most widely used instrument for identifying domestic violence, including measuring victimization and perpetration of three tactics that are often used in conflicts between partners: physical assault, psychological aggression, and negotiation; and scales to measure injury and sexual coercion and by a partner ( Strauss et al., 1996).The CTS measure consists of 80 items. It explores domestic conflict and violence. While the CTS is the most widely used instrument for identifying domestic violence, its critics argue that the scales count acts of violence but do not provide information about the context in which items occur. Additionally, it is argued that the CTS does not include sexual assault in its definition of family conflict, thus including a form of spousal abuse. On the other hand, CTS questions are designed to be replicated for any family role-relationship. It has been used in a large number of studies priding findings that tend to be consistent with previous research.
2.5 Dissertation Title

Your Dissertation Title should be correctly formed:

? Dissertation Title should be aligned with your Research Problem (1.2) and Research Question (2.2), (use the same terminology for all).
? The Dissertation Title should reflect the key variables or constructs to be studied.
? The Dissertation Title should reflect the method to be employed in the research.
? The Dissertation Title should be concise (12 words or less).
A correlation of combat status and deployments on subsequent domestic violence within heterosexual couples of military veterans.

Comments:
2.

Section 3. Research Theory
3.1 Theoretical Foundations

Briefly describe the primary theoretical basis for the study. Describe the major theory (or theories) that will serve as the lens through which you will view the research problem and research questions and provide any corresponding citations.

NOTE: The theoretical foundation should be a theory from your discipline that supports your topic. In doing so, certain constructs (explanatory ideas) from that theory would be used to support the research focus.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

3.2 Contributions to Theory

Describe how your study will contribute to theory in your field by meeting one or more of these four criteria.

1. The study should generate new theory.

2. The study should refine or add to an existing theory.

3. The study should test to confirm or refute a theory.

4. The study should expand theory by telling us something new about application or processes

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

3.3 Theoretical Implications

Describe the theoretical implications you believe your study could have for your field AND your specialization area. This will be the theoretical framework(s) to be used in conceptualizing the study and analyzing the data.
• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.
3.4 Practical Implications

Please describe the specific practical implications that may result from this research that can be used by any or all of the following stakeholders: the population being studied, professionals for whom this topic pertains, and/or the wider community itself.
• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

Section 4. Research Methodology
4.1 Research Design

Describe the research design you will use.

Start by specifically stating the type of quantitative research design you will use (non-experimental, quasi-experimental, experimental), include the exact name or type of design to be used, and describe the exact method(s) (archival, survey, observations) you will use to collect the data. Briefly describe how the study will be conducted.

Briefly describe the research philosophy underlying your study and the ontological, epistemological, axiological, and methodological assumptions of your design.

? The Research Design should be clearly identified.
? The Research Design should be appropriate to the Research Question.
• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

4.2 Population and Sample

Describe the characteristics of the larger population from which the sample (study participants) will be drawn. Include specific data/statistics.

State the estimated sample size and your method of determining the sample size needed for the study.

State the sampling strategy (probability or non-probability), the specific method (random, purposive, convenience, etc.), then describe the sample inclusion and exclusion criteria.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.
4.3 Ethical Considerations

Describe any ethical considerations given the sample, population, and/or topic.

Please explain as fully as possible (i.e., How do you plan to protect human participants while identifying the sample, while collecting the data, while analyzing the data, after data are collected, and during data storage?)

Is the proposed population or research topic greater than minimal risk?

0 Yes 0 No

If yes, has the researcher had a consultation with the IRB office?

0 Yes 0 No

If yes, please paste the IRB’s e-mail response or a summary of the response here.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

Section 5. Research Data
5.1 Constructs

A construct is an idea—an intangible concept that we want to measure. We must then define the construct in terms of a variable (something which can be measured), and then we must provide an operational definition as to how that variable will be measured for this particular study. For example:

Construct: Intelligence
Variable: IQ
Operational definition: WAIS-IV score

Define each construct required by the research question and title. Provide citations showing your theoretical framework. Number each construct.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.
5.2 Variables (Definitions of Constructs as variables)

Define each construct (in Item 5.1) as a variable. Provide citations to theoretical framework or previous research supporting the selection of variable type.
• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.
5.3 Operational Definitions

Present an operational definition for each construct you will measure (with citations for published measures). How will this variable be measured in this study?

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.
5.4 Measures/Instruments

Describe in detail all data collection instruments and measures (tests, questionnaires, scales, interview protocols, and so forth). Also include any demographic information you plan to collect.

For each measure include:
(A) citation for published measure/instrument
(B) description of the measure/instrument
(C) data type(s)/levels of measurement for variable(s) measured by the instrument
(C) available psychometric information (including normative data and validity & reliability coefficients for each measure/instrument.)

Attach a copy of each instrument you plan to use as an appendix to your Research Plan. If permission is required to use the instrument, please attach a copy of documentation showing that you have permission to use the instrument.
• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.
5.5 Research Hypotheses

For each quantitative question and sub-question in Item 1.5, list hypotheses for their investigation. Give nulls and alternates for each sub-question. Use appropriate nomenclature for the hypotheses.

5.6 Type(s) of Data

Complete the table rows for each Research Question, indicating the variables, whether they are Independent Variables (IV) or Dependent Variables (DV), and what data type they are (Ordinal, Ratio,
RQ Variables IV/DV Data Type
1
2
3
4
5.7 Data Collection -Sampling Procedures

Describe in detail each step that you will take from the beginning of recruitment to consent from the participants to participate. You must provide specific details and present the details in the order in which they will occur. You must include all of the following (if applicable):
• The recruitment site(s), acknowledgement of any permissions needed from the sites, and if there is an IRB at any of the sites.
• All of the means by which recruitment will occur (i.e., flyers, e-mails, social media)
• How potential participants will contact you.
• How the potential participants will be screened and how you will proceed if they do qualify and if they do not qualify for the study.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

5.8 Data Collection Procedures

Data collection begins at the time of informed consent and continues until the data is collected.

Describe the exact procedure that will be used to collect the data. This is a step-by-step description of exactly how the research will be conducted. This should read like a recipe for the data collection procedures to be followed in your study. Be sure to include all the necessary details so that someone else should be able to follow this to replicate the study.

5.9 Data Analyses

List the research question and sub-questions, followed by the null and alternative or research hypotheses for each research question. Then describe all methods and all procedures for data analysis including:

(a) types of data to be analyzed,

(b) organizing raw data,

(c) managing and processing data,

(d) preparat