Purpose Statements, Research Questions, and Hypotheses

Question 1

What is a purpose statement?

Answer 1

Establishes the intent or objective of the entire research study in a sentence (or couple of sentences)
-what you intend to accomplish
-the central, guiding idea for the study

Question 2

Purpose statements differ from…

Answer 2

Research problems which address the issue leading to a need for the study.
Research questions which you attempt to answer with your data (purpose statement is overarching concept).

Question 3

Strategies for Writing Quantitative Research Purpose Statements

Answer 3

Begin with words that identify the intent of the study being described.
Identify the important study variables.
Identify the theoretical framework or model that is guiding the study.
Identify the participants targeted for the study.
Mention the strategy of inquiry.

Question 4

Strategies for Writing Qualitative Research Purpose Statements

Answer 4

Begin with words that identify the intent of the study being described.
Identify and describe the central phenomenon or idea.
Recognize the philosophical worldview and research approach.
Identify the participants targeted for the study.
Mention the strategy of inquiry.
Identify the research site where the study is being conducted.

Question 5

Strategies for Writing Mixed Methods Purpose Statements

Answer 5

Begin with words that identify the intent of the study being described.
Identify the important study variables for the quantitative aspect of the study.
Identify and describe the central phenomenon or idea for the qualitative aspect of the study.
Identify the philosophical worldview(s).
Identify the theoretical framework or model that is guiding the study.
Identify the participants targeted for the study.
Identify the strategy of inquiry for both the quantitative and qualitative study.
Identify the research site where the study is being conducted.

Question 6

What follows the purpose statement?

Answer 6

Important to present the research questions and hypotheses (if applicable).

Question 7

Research Question

Answer 7

A broad inquiry statement about the central phenomenon.

Question 8

Hypothesis

Answer 8

A prediction that is derived from theory, literature, or speculation about the outcome of a study.

Question 9

Quantitative Research Question and Hypotheses

Answer 9

Includes research questions and hypotheses (2 types).
Research or alternative hypothesis
Null hypothesis

Question 10

Research or Alternative Hypothesis

Answer 10

Predicting you’ll see something happen

Question 11

Null Hypothesis

Answer 11

Nothing will happen
Rejecting of relationship/relationship does not exist

Question 12

Creating a Quantitative Research Question

Answer 12

Generate a list of topics.
Choose the type of question (descriptive, relationship, comparative, causal).
Begin with question.
Identify the variables (IV and DV).
Identify the groups and population.

Question 13

Qualitative Research Questions

Answer 13

Only research question, no hypothesis.
There is a grand tour central question and sub questions.
Questions should reflect the qualitative strategy of inquiry.

Question 14

Mixed Methods Research Question

Answer 14

Has both qualitative and quantitative research questions.
The questions should be ordered to reflect a mixed methods design and reflect the potential ambiguity in a sequential design.