This Week Focus On Writing The Introduction And Purpose Stat
This Week Focus On Writing The Introduction And Purpose Statementnote
This week, the focus is on writing the introduction and purpose statement for a research proposal. Students are instructed to review Chapters 5 and 6 from the course text, "Research Design," as well as the "Purpose of Research" media segment to inform their writing. They should refine their choices for articles in their annotated bibliography, aiming for a total of eight articles for the final assignment. The introduction should include four paragraphs: one each describing the research problem, the related literature, the gaps or deficiencies in the current literature, and the target audiences that may find the study of interest.
Additionally, students are to develop a clear purpose statement for their proposed study, following the specific scripts suggested in Chapter 6 of "Research Design" (pages 114, 118, 122, and 123). Using the "Introduction Checklist" and the "Purpose Statement Checklist" handouts will help ensure the effectiveness and clarity of these components.
The assignment requires students to prepare these parts and incorporate them into a single document along with any previous work for submission by Week 7. There is also an optional workshop discussion where students can share and refine their research problem, discuss the significance of their research for specific audiences, and identify which of the nine research purposes from "A Typology of Research Purposes and Its Relationship to Mixed Methods" best aligns with their study. Additionally, students are encouraged to begin formulating their purpose statements using Creswell’s provided scripts, receiving peer feedback to improve their work.
Paper For Above instruction
The development of a research proposal is a critical step in academic inquiry, requiring clarity, precision, and alignment with established research methodologies. This week’s focus emphasizes constructing a compelling introduction and a precise purpose statement, foundational elements that guide the entire research process.
The introduction serves as the foundation of the research proposal. It begins with a detailed articulation of the research problem or problem statement. The problem statement must clearly define the issue under investigation, providing context and highlighting its significance. For example, if investigating the impact of online learning on student engagement, the problem statement would specify the increasing prevalence of online education and the concern about student engagement levels. Liu and colleagues (2020) emphasize that a well-articulated problem statement aligns research efforts with real-world issues, effectively engaging stakeholders and potential audiences.
Following this, the related literature section contextualizes the problem within the existing body of knowledge. It should summarize relevant studies, theories, and frameworks that address the identified problem. A thorough literature review demonstrates an understanding of the topic and substantiates the need for further investigation. For example, prior research might have shown mixed results regarding online learning's effectiveness, revealing a gap that the current study aims to address. According to Cooper (2017), synthesizing literature helps identify trends, debates, and consensus, guiding the researcher toward precise research questions.
The third paragraph identifies deficiencies or gaps in the current literature. These gaps may include limited research on specific populations, inadequate study designs, outdated data, or unexplored variables. Highlighting these gaps justifies the new study's necessity. For instance, although existing studies examine online learning broadly, few focus specifically on underserved populations, indicating a significant gap. Creswell (2014) stresses that articulating these gaps highlights the contribution the proposed study can make to knowledge and practice.
The final paragraph of the introduction delineates the audiences who will find the research valuable. These may include academic scholars, practitioners, policymakers, students, or community stakeholders. Clarifying the target audiences demonstrates the practical relevance and potential impact of the study. For example, findings on online learning engagement may be particularly relevant for educators, institutional administrators, and online program developers aiming to enhance student outcomes.
Transitioning to the purpose statement, Creswell (2014) advocates for clarity and specificity, using scripts such as "The purpose of this qualitative study is to..." or "The purpose of this quantitative study is to..." Guided by the "Purpose Statement Checklist," students should craft statements that clearly specify the nature, scope, and significance of their research. For example, "The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of online discussion participation on undergraduate student engagement in a large public university" explicitly states the focus, population, and context.
The purpose statement should align with one of the nine research purposes outlined in the literature, such as describing, exploring, explaining, or predicting phenomena (Yin, 2018). For example, a study exploring students’ perceptions of online learning would align with an exploratory purpose, whereas a study testing a hypothesis about the relationship between engagement and academic performance would align with explanatory or predictive purposes.
In terms of application, students are encouraged to share their research ideas in the optional workshop discussion. They should identify and refine their research problem further, analyze the significance of their study for relevant audiences, and select an appropriate research purpose. Beginning formulation of the purpose statement using Creswell’s scripts will facilitate peer feedback, ultimately strengthening their research proposal.
The process of developing the introduction and purpose statement is iterative. It involves continual refinement, grounded in existing literature, and guided by scholarly frameworks. Effective communication of the research intent not only clarifies the researcher’s goals but also enhances the credibility and persuasive power of the proposal.
Through diligent review of literature, precise articulation of the problem, and carefully crafted purpose statements, students can lay a solid foundation for their research projects. This foundational work ensures their studies are meaningful, relevant, and aligned with recognized research standards, positioning them for successful completion of their final project.
References
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Cooper, H. (2017). Research synthesis and meta-analysis: A step-by-step approach (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
Liu, Q., Xu, J., & Wang, L. (2020). Articulating research problems in education research: The role of contextualization. Educational Researcher, 49(4), 245-253.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage Publications.