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Contents of Chapter One
Contents of Chapter One
Introduction
Chapter One of Your Introduction
Chapter One of Your Background and Setting
Background and Setting
Identification of Problem
Thesis Identification of Problem
Thesis Purpose Statement
Purpose Statement
AED 615
AED 615 Objectives or Research Questions
Objectives or Research Questions
Fall 2006
Fall 2006 Assumptions
Assumptions
Limitations
Dr. Ed Franklin Limitations
Dr. Ed Franklin
Definition of Terms
Definition of Terms
Significance of The Study
Significance of The Study
Introduction Section
Introduction Section
A quantitative introduction typically is
This is the first passage in a A quantitative introduction typically is
This is the first passage in a written from the third person point of
dissertation, thesis, or research written from the third person point of
dissertation, thesis, or research view.
article. view.
article. This helps create a sense of
The introduction should address the This helps create a sense of
The introduction should address the objectivity.
following: objectivity.
following: In a qualitative study, research may
Create reader interest in the topic; In a qualitative study, research may
Create reader interest in the topic; employ a present tense to
Establish the problem that leads to the employ a present tense to
Establish the problem that leads to the communicate immediate, or direct
study; communicate immediate, or direct
study; action.
action.
Place the study within the larger context
Place the study within the larger context Telling the reader a story, set the
of the scholarly literature; Telling the reader a story, set the
of the scholarly literature; stage for a need of your research.
Reach out to a specific audience stage for a need of your research.
Reach out to a specific audience
Background & Setting Section Identification of Problem
Background & Setting Section Identification of Problem
The statement of the research problem should be
Where is the research taking The statement of the research problem should be
Where is the research taking concise and should identify the key factors
concise and should identify the key factors
(variables) of the research study.
place? (variables) of the research study.
place? A constant is a characteristic or condition that is the
A constant is a characteristic or condition that is the
same for all individuals in a study.
Who is to be affected by your same for all individuals in a study.
Who is to be affected by your A variable is a characteristic that takes on different
A variable is a characteristic that takes on different
values or conditions for different individuals.
research? values or conditions for different individuals.
research? Independent and dependent variables are
Independent and dependent variables are
descriptors of variables commonly used in
What is already known? This will descriptors of variables commonly used in
What is already known? This will educational research.
educational research.
The independent variables may be affecting the
begin to lead us to your Review The independent variables may be affecting the
begin to lead us to your Review dependent variables, and in that sense, dependent
dependent variables, and in that sense, dependent
variables depend on independent variables.
of Literature (Chapter II). variables depend on independent variables.
of Literature (Chapter II).
1
Objectives or Research
Connection between the Components Objectives or Research
Connection between the Components
for Identifying a Research Problem
for Identifying a Research Problem Question
Question
Statement of the Research questions or
Research Problem Research questions or
objectives provide a specific
objectives provide a specific
restatement and clarification of
Relevant Existing restatement and clarification of
knowledge the purpose statement.
Theory the purpose statement.
In survey projects these
Hypothesis In survey projects these
restatements typically take the
restatements typically take the
form of research questions and
Variables Conditions form of research questions and
objectives; in experiments they
objectives; in experiments they
are hypotheses.
are hypotheses.
Operational
definitions
Guidelines for writing objectives
Guidelines for writing objectives Purpose Statement
and research questions Purpose Statement
and research questions
The introduction focuses on the problem
Develop the hypotheses, questions, or The introduction focuses on the problem
Develop the hypotheses, questions, or leading to the study, but it is the purpose
objectives from theory. leading to the study, but it is the purpose
objectives from theory. statement that establishes the direction for
Keep the independent and dependent statement that establishes the direction for
Keep the independent and dependent the research.
variables separate and measure them the research.
variables separate and measure them The statement captures, in a single
separately. The statement captures, in a single
separately. sentence or paragraph, the essence of the
When writing this section, select one sentence or paragraph, the essence of the
When writing this section, select one study.
study.
form – write questions, objectives, or
form – write questions, objectives, or The design of a quantitative purpose
hypotheses – but not a combination. The design of a quantitative purpose
hypotheses – but not a combination. statement begins with identifying the
statement begins with identifying the
proposed variables for a study
If hypotheses are used, consider the proposed variables for a study
If hypotheses are used, consider the (independent, intervening, dependent),
alternative forms for writing them and (independent, intervening, dependent),
alternative forms for writing them and drawing a visual model to identify clearly
make a choice based on the audience drawing a visual model to identify clearly
make a choice based on the audience this sequence (conceptual framework), and
for the research. this sequence (conceptual framework), and
for the research. specifying the measurement for variables.
specifying the measurement for variables.
Use a word such as purpose, intent, or
The intent of using variables Use a word such as purpose, intent, or
The intent of using variables objective to begin the passage.
quantitatively will be either to relate objective to begin the passage.
quantitatively will be either to relate Identify the theory, model, or conceptual
Identify the theory, model, or conceptual
framework to be tested in the study.
variables (as one typically finds in a framework to be tested in the study.
variables (as one typically finds in a
Mention the specific type of method of
survey) or to compare samples or Mention the specific type of method of
survey) or to compare samples or inquiry being used in the study.
groups (as is commonly found in inquiry being used in the study.
groups (as is commonly found in State whether the independent and
experiments). State whether the independent and
experiments). dependent variables will be related or
dependent variables will be related or
whether two or more groups (as in
Major components of a good whether two or more groups (as in
Major components of a good independent variables) will be compared in
independent variables) will be compared in
terms of the dependent variable(s).
quantitative purpose statement terms of the dependent variable(s).
quantitative purpose statement
Order the variables in the relationship or
consists of a brief paragraph that Order the variables in the relationship or
consists of a brief paragraph that comparison sentence from independent to
includes the following: comparison sentence from independent to
includes the following: dependent.
dependent.
2
A Scripted Purpose Statement
A Scripted Purpose Statement
“ The purpose of this ___ (experimental?
Refer to the unit of analysis of “ The purpose of this ___ (experimental?
Refer to the unit of analysis of survey?) study is (was? will be?) to test the
the study. survey?) study is (was? will be?) to test the
the study. theory of ___ that ___ (compares?
theory of ___ that ___ (compares?
relates?) the ___ (independent variable) to
Provide a general definition for relates?) the ___ (independent variable) to
Provide a general definition for ___ (dependent variable) for (subjects?
___ (dependent variable) for (subjects?
sample?) at (the research site). The
each key variable in the study sample?) at (the research site). The
each key variable in the study independent variable(s) ___ will be defined
and used established independent variable(s) ___ will be defined
and used established generally as ___ (provide a general
generally as ___ (provide a general
definition). The dependent variable(s) will
definitions. definition). The dependent variable(s) will
definitions. be defined generally as (provide a general
be defined generally as (provide a general
definition), and the intervening variable(s),
definition), and the intervening variable(s),
___(identify the intervening variables) will
___(identify the intervening variables) will
be statistically controlled in the study.”
be statistically controlled in the study.”
Actual Example of a Purpose Statement
Actual Example of a Purpose Statement Assumptions (Delimitations)
(DeGraw,1984, as cited by Creswell, 1994) Assumptions (Delimitations)
(DeGraw,1984, as cited by Creswell, 1994)
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship What beliefs you as the researcher
between personal characteristics and the job motivation of
between personal characteristics and the job motivation of What beliefs you as the researcher
certified educators who taught in selected state adult correctional
certified educators who taught in selected state adult correctional
institutions in the United States. Personal characteristics were
institutions in the United States. Personal characteristics were bring to the study.
divided into background information about the respondent (i.e., bring to the study.
divided into background information about the respondent (i.e.,
institutional information, education level, prior training, etc.) and
institutional information, education level, prior training, etc.) and Use delimitations to address how the
information about the respondents thoughts of changing jobs. Use delimitations to address how the
information about the respondents thoughts of changing jobs.
The examination of background information was important to this
The examination of background information was important to this study will be narrowed in scope.
study because it was hoped it would be possible to identify
study because it was hoped it would be possible to identify study will be narrowed in scope.
characteristics and factors contributing to significant differences
characteristics and factors contributing to significant differences
in mobility and motivation. The second part of the study asked
in mobility and motivation. The second part of the study asked May be about the population of
the respondents to identify those motivational factors of concern May be about the population of
the respondents to identify those motivational factors of concern
to them. Job motivation was defined by six general factors
to them. Job motivation was defined by six general factors study, the instrument, data gathering
identified in the educational components study (EWCS) study, the instrument, data gathering
identified in the educational components study (EWCS)
questionnaire (Miskel & Heller, 1973). These six factors are:
questionnaire (Miskel & Heller, 1973). These six factors are: method, previous knowledge, etc.
potential for personal challenge and development;
potential for personal challenge and development; method, previous knowledge, etc.
competitiveness; desirability and reward of success; tolerance for
competitiveness; desirability and reward of success; tolerance for
work pressures; conservative security; willingness to seek reward
work pressures; conservative security; willingness to seek reward
in spite of uncertainty vs. avoidance/ and surround concerns.
in spite of uncertainty vs. avoidance/ and surround concerns.
(DeGraw, 1984, pp.4-5).
(DeGraw, 1984, pp.4-5).
Another Example of
Assumptions Another Example of
Assumptions Assumptions
Assumptions
Examples of assumptions (or In conducting this study the following
Examples of assumptions (or In conducting this study the following
delimitations) from student research: assumptions were made. It was
delimitations) from student research: assumptions were made. It was
assumed that:
The following assumptions are made assumed that:
The following assumptions are made
regarding this study:
regarding this study: 1. The participants in the study freely
1. The instrument to be used will elicit 1. The participants in the study freely
1. The instrument to be used will elicit provided the researcher with the
reliable responses. provided the researcher with the
reliable responses. ratings of importance regarding the
2. The respondents will fully understand ratings of importance regarding the
2. The respondents will fully understand professional education
the questions they will be asked. professional education
the questions they will be asked. competencies.
3. The respondents will provide honest competencies.
3. The respondents will provide honest 2. The respondents based their
expressions of their knowledge. 2. The respondents based their
expressions of their knowledge. ratings on the importance of the
4. The researcher will present the 4-day ratings on the importance of the
4. The researcher will present the 4-day professional education competencies
in-class arid lands curriculum in a professional education competencies
in-class arid lands curriculum in a objectively.
consistent manner.
consistent manner. objectively.
3
Limitations Definition of Terms
Limitations Definition of Terms
Researchers define terms so that
Provide limitations to identify Researchers define terms so that
Provide limitations to identify
readers can understand the context
potential weaknesses of the study. readers can understand the context
potential weaknesses of the study. in which the words are being used or
In your thesis, this will be a section in in which the words are being used or
In your thesis, this will be a section in their usual or unrestricted meaning
Chapter 1. their usual or unrestricted meaning
Chapter 1. Define terms that individuals outside the
Define terms that individuals outside the
field of study may not understand.
Example of a limitation: field of study may not understand.
Example of a limitation:
Define terms when they first appear so
The purposive sampling procedure Define terms when they first appear so
The purposive sampling procedure that a reader does not read ahead in the
decreases the generalizability of that a reader does not read ahead in the
decreases the generalizability of proposal operating with one set of
findings. This study will not be proposal operating with one set of
findings. This study will not be definitions only to find out later that the
generalizable to all areas of nursing. definitions only to find out later that the
generalizable to all areas of nursing. author is using a different set.
author is using a different set.
What to include in your
Significance of the Study What to include in your
Significance of the Study Significance of the Study section
Significance of the Study section
In theses and dissertations, often the
In theses and dissertations, often the Reasons why the study adds to
author includes a section describing Reasons why the study adds to
author includes a section describing the scholarly research and
the significance of the study for the scholarly research and
the significance of the study for literature in the field.
select audiences. literature in the field.
select audiences.
Reasons about how the study
The writer creates a clear rationale Reasons about how the study
The writer creates a clear rationale
for the importance of the study.
for the importance of the study. helps improve practice.
helps improve practice.
In this section, the writer can
In this section, the writer can Reasons why the study will
elaborate on the significance for Reasons why the study will
elaborate on the significance for improve policy.
researchers, practitioners, and improve policy.
researchers, practitioners, and
policymakers.
policymakers.
The researcher might include:
The researcher might include:
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