research foundation week 1

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Discuss week 1

As you read in this week’s Introduction, a research problem is derived from what the scholarly community does not know and must be amenable to data collection and analysis. A common problem with research problems is that they claim no (or few) studies have examined a given social problem; that something is understudied within the population or phenomenon; or that there is a “gap” in existing literature. If you claim that the research problem is that there are no (or few) studies—that a population or phenomenon is understudied or constitutes a gap—then, to be a bona fide research problem, the research must be about collecting data to discover why there are no (or few) studies, or why a population or phenomenon is understudied! In other words, a research problem cannot just be a claim; it must contain a specific implicit or explicit relationship or conjecture—the extent of difference in critical thinking skills between graduating seniors from high schools with a problem-based versus lecture-based curriculum, the classroom experiences that contribute to critical thinking.

The research purpose logically derives from and mirrors the research problem and is often boilerplate (see page 119 in Creswell), for example:

  • The purpose of this quantitative pre-experimental static group comparison study is to determine the extent of difference in critical thinking skill scores between graduating seniors from high schools with a problem-based versus lecture-based curriculum.
  • The purpose of this qualitative case study is to identify classroom experiences that contribute to students’ critical thinking skills and to map the developmental range of these experiences across elementary grade levels.

The research question must also logically derive from, and mirror both, the research problem and research purpose. For example:

  • What is the extent of difference in critical thinking skill scores between graduating seniors from high schools with a problem-based versus lecture-based curriculum?
  • What classroom experiences contribute to students’ critical thinking skills, and what are the developmental range of experiences across elementary levels?

Common problems with research questions are framing them such that they have a yes or no answer such as “Is … ?” or “Do … ?” Avoid such framing and, instead, ask “What … ?”

In this Discussion, you will articulate and align a research problem, purpose, and question for a potential quantitative and qualitative study. Alignment of these elements is important. See the Examples of Aligned and Misaligned Scenarios document, which can be downloaded from the Week 1 Learning Resources area of the classroom.

References

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

To Prepare

  • Read the Weekly Introduction and Chapter 5 of the assigned readings. Focus on how to identify a research problem that is derived from what the scholarly community does not know and the differences between quantitative and qualitative research problems.
  • Read the Lead-In to this Discussion and Chapters 6 and 7 of the assigned reading. Pay particular attention to how to articulate and align a research problem, purpose, and question.
  • Think about a social problem or phenomenon that could be researched using quantitative or qualitative methodology, perhaps something you are considering as a dissertation topic.
  • Identify a quantitative research problem and a qualitative research problem related to the social problem or phenomenon of interest. Consider how you would write a research purpose and question that aligns to each quantitative and qualitative research problem.

Discussion posts are pass/fail, but have minimum criteria to pass. See the Discussion Rubric to ensure you understand the pass/fail criteria.

Instruction

Please read information provided in the Week 1 section of class, the Week 1 Discussion Post and the Course Guidance from Course Director posted in the Announcement section of class.

Please identify a simple problem to work with as you will have to demonstrate alignment through the whole research scenario by the end of the course.

Please especially read pages 3 – 7 of the Aligned and Misaligned Research Scenarios (attached). Please model your work after this example, using, of course, your own topic.

Examples of Aligned and Misaligned Scenarios v190603 _1_.pdf

Please follow the directions in the Week 1 Discussion Post section. Here are part of the instructions.

Program of Study: Identify your specific program of study and, if applicable, your concentration area.

Social Problem: Briefly describe the social problem or phenomenon of interest. Typically, this can be done in 3 or fewer sentences.

Quantitative Research Problem: Complete the following sentence: The scholarly community does not know…

Quantitative Research Purpose: Typically, this is a 1-sentence statement addressed by completing the following sentence: The purpose of this quantitative study is…

Quantitative Research Question: Typically, this is a 1-sentence question unless you have more than one research question.

Qualitative Research Problem: Complete the following sentence: The scholarly community does not know…

Qualitative Research Purpose: Typically, this is a 1-sentence statement addressed by completing the following sentence: The purpose of this qualitative study is…

Qualitative Research Question: Typically, this is a 1-sentence question unless you have more than one research question.

Note: Use proper APA format. If helpful, support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Scenario and Elements Focused on Each Week

Week

Quantitative Scenario

Qualitative Scenario

1

Social problem, research problem, research purpose, research question

Social problem, research problem, research purpose, research question

Resource

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Ch 5: The Introduction
  • Ch 6: The Purpose Statement
  • Ch 7: Research Questions and Hypotheses
 
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