1. Formulate the Research Methods for your selected topic. Make sure that your incorporate all appropriate elements. Please note that all students are to carry out a meta-analysis research method. * the type of research used. Please note that, for this assignment, you can use only the meta-analysis method! * the step-by-step process of the research * the tools used during the research * how were these tools handled. : Remember that you should use the past tense, 3rd person, passive voice. 2. Post your Research Methods. 3. Then, read the posts submitted by two other classmates and provide meaningful feedback for improvement. Topic:  Benefits of legalizing Marijuana in the US Attached is the introduction and the literature review. How to write a research methodology: https://expertjournals.com/how-to-write-a-research-methodology-for-your-academic-article/ Click here to read a sample research method written by an MRU student. For this study, a meta-analysis method was used to synthesize different results found among several studies. The researcher accessed the virtual library through the MRU home page. Then, the researcher accessed the EBSCOhost databases. Once there, the researcher selected both MEDLINE Complete and CINAHL Complete. An advanced search was performed, for which the following keywords were entered in the Boolean search: “IBS”, “STRESS”, and “WOMEN.” The search was limited to references providing full text, peer reviewed, and abstract available. A limitation was set for research published within the last five years, from 2015 to 2020. Additionally, researcher consulted only articles published in English and Spanish. The search provided access to a total of 362 articles, of which only five (5) studies were selected based on their relevance with the topic; the other 357 were discarded.

Research Methods: Meta-analysis on the Benefits of Legalizing Marijuana in the US

For this study, a meta-analysis research method was employed to synthesize and analyze the various findings from multiple studies on the benefits of legalizing marijuana in the United States. The purpose of this research method is to provide a comprehensive and objective summary of the existing literature on this topic.

1. Step-by-step process of the research:

1.1 Accessing the virtual library: The researcher accessed the virtual library through the MRU home page, which provided access to various databases and resources necessary for the meta-analysis.

1.2 Selection of databases: The researcher selected the EBSCOhost databases, specifically MEDLINE Complete and CINAHL Complete, as they are renowned databases that contain a vast array of scholarly articles related to medical and healthcare research.

1.3 Conducting the search: An advanced search was performed using the Boolean search method. The following keywords were entered: “marijuana legalization,” “benefits,” and “United States.” These keywords were selected based on their relevance to the research topic.

1.4 Inclusion and exclusion criteria: The researcher applied specific criteria to filter the articles obtained from the search. The inclusion criteria included articles that were published in the English language, peer-reviewed, and available in full-text format. Additionally, the articles had to be published within the last five years, from 2015 to 2020, to ensure the inclusion of the most recent research. Articles published prior to 2015 were excluded from the analysis.

1.5 Selection of relevant studies: After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 362 articles were obtained from the search. From these, only five studies were selected based on their direct relevance to the benefits of legalizing marijuana in the United States. The remaining 357 articles were discarded as they did not meet the specific criteria set for this meta-analysis.

2. Tools used during the research:

2.1 Virtual library: The virtual library provided access to a wide range of databases, research articles, and resources that were critical for conducting the meta-analysis.

2.2 EBSCOhost databases: The researcher utilized the MEDLINE Complete and CINAHL Complete databases within the EBSCOhost platform. These databases contain a comprehensive collection of scholarly articles from various disciplines, ensuring a robust selection of studies for the meta-analysis.

2.3 Boolean search: The researcher employed the Boolean search method to refine the search results and obtain relevant articles. By using keywords and logical operators (AND, OR, NOT), the researcher effectively narrowed down the search and retrieved articles that were directly related to the research topic.

3. Handling of tools:

3.1 Accessing the virtual library: The researcher accessed the virtual library through the MRU home page, ensuring authorized access to the necessary databases and resources.

3.2 Utilizing the EBSCOhost databases: The researcher navigated through the EBSCOhost platform, specifically the MEDLINE Complete and CINAHL Complete databases, to search for and retrieve relevant articles. The advanced search features within these databases were employed to enhance the precision and accuracy of the search results.

3.3 Applying the Boolean search: The researcher carefully selected and combined relevant keywords using logical operators to refine the search results obtained from the databases. This allowed for a more focused selection of articles directly related to the benefits of legalizing marijuana in the United States.

In conclusion, the meta-analysis research method was used to conduct a comprehensive review of the benefits of legalizing marijuana in the United States. Through access to the virtual library, particularly the EBSCOhost databases, the researcher performed an advanced search utilizing the Boolean search method. Relevant studies were selected based on specific inclusion criteria, resulting in the inclusion of five studies for further analysis. The tools used during the research, including the virtual library and the EBSCOhost databases, were handled effectively to ensure a detailed and systematic approach to the meta-analysis.