The Purpose Statement Establishes The Intent Of The Entire ✓ Solved

The purpose statement establishes the intent of the entire

Chapter 6: The Purpose Statement

Introduction

The purpose statement establishes the intent of the entire study. It is considered the most important statement in the entire study. In theses and dissertations, it is a standalone section.

Significance and Meaning of a Purpose Statement

The purpose statement indicates why you want to do the study and what you intend to accomplish. It serves as the central controlling idea in a study, written in one or several sentences that set the objectives, intent, or major idea of a proposal or study.

The purpose statement is NOT the problem leading to a need for the study nor the questions to be answered by collecting data.

Qualitative Purpose Statement

A good qualitative purpose statement includes:

• The central phenomenon
• The participants
• The research site

It should use language drawn from qualitative inquiry, utilizing words such as purpose, intent, or objective to indicate this statement as the central controlling idea. The focus should be on a single phenomenon, thereby narrowing the study to one idea.

It employs action verbs like describe, understand, develop, explore, examine the meaning of, generate, or discover. Neutral words and phrases are also used to provide a general working definition of the central phenomenon, include words that indicate the strategy of inquiry, and mention the participants in the study while delimiting the scope of participation or research sites.

For example, a qualitative purpose statement could be structured as follows: “The purpose of this [strategy of inquiry, such as ethnography, case study, or other type] study is to [understand/explore/develop/discover] the [central phenomenon being studied] for [the participants] at [the research site].”

Quantitative Purpose Statement

A quantitative purpose statement differs from the qualitative in terms of language and focus and includes:

• The variables and their relationship
• The participants
• The research site

Essential components of a good quantitative purpose statement consist of words signaling the major intent, identifying the theory or conceptual framework, specifying the independent and dependent variables, and indicating any mediating, moderating, or control variables. The order of independent before dependent variables is crucial, and it should mention the specific strategy of inquiry while referencing participants or units of analysis.

An example of a quantitative purpose statement might read: “The purpose of this [experiment/survey] study is to test the theory of [theory] that [compares/relates] the [independent variable] to [dependent variable], controlling for [variables] for [participants] at [the research site].”

Mixed Methods Purpose Statement

A mixed methods purpose statement features:

• The overall intent of the study
• Information about both the quantitative and qualitative strands
• A rationale for combining quantitative and qualitative strands

For instance, a convergent mixed methods study may state: “A convergent mixed methods design will be used, in which qualitative and quantitative data are collected in parallel, analyzed separately, and then merged.”

Conclusion

The significance of a purpose statement cannot be overstated; it advances the central idea of the study. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods purpose statements differ, but they all serve to clarify the intent of the research being conducted.

Paper For Above Instructions

The creation of a clear and concise purpose statement is foundational to any academic research. A well-crafted purpose statement not only articulates the scope and intent of the study but also directs the research process. Creswell (2018) emphasizes the critical role a purpose statement plays in achieving clarity in research objectives.

In qualitative research, the purpose statement serves to identify the central phenomenon being studied, the participants involved, and the specific research site. This contextualizes the research and allows for a focused inquiry into the specified phenomenon. Action verbs that embody the study's intent such as “describe,” “explore,” and “understand” guide the researcher in framing the qualifications of the research (Creswell, 2018).

For example, if a researcher is examining the educational experiences of immigrant students, a possible purpose statement could be: "The purpose of this ethnographic study is to explore the educational experiences of immigrant students at a public high school." This statement clearly outlines the study's intent and scope.

In quantitative research, the purpose statement must define the variables and their relationships explicitly. This includes identifying the independent and dependent variables, and if unintentional variables such as mediators or moderators are present, they should also be defined. Creswell (2018) illustrates the importance of articulating these variables through precise phrasing that indicates the study's objectives.

An example of a quantitative purpose statement might be: "The purpose of this survey study is to test the theory that socioeconomic status impacts academic achievement among high school students, controlling for age and gender." This format explicitly defines the relationship being tested and gives a clear direction for data collection and analysis.

When employing mixed methods, the researcher must articulate not only the qualitative and quantitative strands but also provide a rationale for their integration. For example, a mixed methods purpose statement could be: "This convergent mixed methods study aims to understand the relationship between dietary habits and health outcomes in adults, utilizing both qualitative interviews and quantitative health surveys." Here, the researcher communicates the dual approach clearly while addressing both types of data and their significance.

Researchers must remain aware of how the purpose statement guides the overall research direction, while also being rooted in literature that defines key variables and phenomena (Creswell, 2018). This understanding shapes the questions that will ultimately drive the inquiry.

In conclusion, creating a clear purpose statement is pivotal in any research endeavor. Whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, it lays the groundwork for understanding the central ideas and objectives of the study. The purpose statement acts as a compass that keeps the research focused and aligned with the initial intentions, ensuring that the findings will be relevant and impactful in the respective field.

References

• Creswell, J. W. & Creswell, D. J. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
• Leedy, P. D. & Ormrod, J. E. (2019). Practical Research: Planning and Design (12th ed.). Pearson.
• Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (7th ed.). Pearson.
• Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E., & Hyun, H. H. (2019). (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
• Flick, U. (2018). An Introduction to Qualitative Research (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Bogdan, R. C., & Biklen, S. K. (2007). Qualitative Research for Education: An Introduction to Theories and Methods (5th ed.). Pearson.
• Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Punch, K. F. (2016). Research Methods in Education (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Robson, C. & McCartan, K. (2016). Real World Research (4th ed.). Wiley.