Discussion Questions: How Can The Problem Statement Help? ✓ Solved

Top Of Formdiscussion Questions1 How Can The Problem Statement Be Bes

Discussion questions 1. How can the problem statement be best written to reflect one of the approaches to qualitative research? 2. How can the purpose statement be best written to convey the orientation of an approach to research? 3. How can a central question be written so that it encodes and foreshadows an approach to qualitative research? 4. How can subquestions be presented so that they subdivide the central question into several parts?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Effective formulation of the problem statement is essential in qualitative research, as it sets the foundation for the entire study. Creswell and Poth (2018) emphasize that the problem statement should clearly articulate the need for the research, highlight its significance, and specify the stakeholders who will benefit. A well-crafted problem statement justifies the study by providing a rationale for its importance within the field. For instance, when exploring a social issue like the wage gap among women in Texas, the problem statement should detail how this issue impacts economic equality and organizational practices. It should also connect to broader societal concerns, thus establishing the relevance of the research.

The purpose statement plays a crucial role in defining the research approach. According to Creswell and Poth (2018), the purpose statement should explicitly state whether the study employs phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory, or another qualitative approach. It must incorporate action-oriented words such as “understand,” “describe,” or “explore” to foreshadow the qualitative nature of the research. For example, in examining the experiences of women in the workforce, a purpose statement might read: “This study aims to understand the lived experiences of women regarding pay equity in Texas organizations.” Such framing immediately signals to readers the narrative or interpretative approach being used.

The central research question should encapsulate the core focus of the study and often employs open-ended words like “how,” “why,” or “what” (Creswell & Poth, 2018). For instance, a central question related to the wage gap could be: “How do women in Texas perceive and experience pay disparities in their workplaces?” This question not only clearly states the purpose but also foreshadows the qualitative approach by focusing on perceptions and experiences. It provides a strategic entry point into the phenomenon under investigation.

Subquestions serve to elaborate and subdivide the central question into manageable components, facilitating a nuanced exploration of the topic. They typically begin with “what,” “how,” or “why” to maintain alignment with the main question. For example, subquestions for the wage gap study might include: “What types of pay disparities are encountered by women in executive positions?” or “How do organizational cultures influence perceptions of fairness among women employees?” These subquestions help direct data collection efforts and allow for detailed analysis of specific aspects within the broader phenomenon.

The process of structuring the problem statement, purpose statement, central question, and subquestions is interconnected. Each should reflect the underlying qualitative approach, reflect clarity and focus, and guide data collection and analysis effectively. Using precise language and framing questions that foreshadow the methodology enhances the transparency and rigor of qualitative research designs (Creswell & Poth, 2018). For example, explicit use of action words like “explore,” “describe,” or “interpret” in purpose statements and research questions signals qualitative inquiry, aligning the research design with the identified approach.

References

• Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
• Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. M. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Sage Publications.
• Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. Sage Publications.
• Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage Publications.
• Moustakas, C. (1994). Phenomenological research methods. Sage Publications.
• Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. Sage Publications.
• Holloway, I., & Todres, L. (2003). The status of phenomenology in nursing research. Nursing outlook, 51(6), 306-312.
• Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory. Sage.
• Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2016). Designing qualitative research. Sage Publications.