Victor Lofgreen, Ph.D.
In this series I have been talking about the need to use different research strategies to conduct research on different topics. Rather than focus on whether any research strategy is “right” or “wrong,” I have identified circumstances where research methods are appropriate to the question being researched, the research setting, and the data available to the researcher.
A central feature of a successful dissertation or other research study is the clear articulation of the research problem, the purpose of the study, and the research question. Many graduate students have become lost while trying to develop a researchable problem.
The Research Problem
Professional practitioners are surrounded by problems and questions that are challenging and interesting, but are these questions researchable? To prepare a research proposal for a dissertation or other formal research purpose, a practitioner-researcher must establish a problem statement, state the purpose of the study, and identify the research questions or hypotheses of the study.
The concept of scientific research is based in the idea that underlying principles, structures, or features of a phenomenon can be used to explain, predict, or control the phenomenon. If the researcher is able to identify these features and understand their relationship to the phenomenon, then scientific knowledge can be achieved.
The research problem statement should be constructed of concise, straightforward sentences. If the research problem is very complex, it may include several subproblems. Care must be taken to be sure the subproblems are subordinate to the main problem, are researchable, and will help solve the major research problem (Leedy, 1989, p. 45).
Research Purpose and Methods
The type of research question posed by the study may indicate the type of research method needed for the study.
Quantitative Studies
If a previously held theory or model of the phenomenon has been developed, the study might be conducted to see if the theory or model is useful in predicting or controlling the phenomenon. In this case, a hypothesis is established and based on the previous theory or model, and the variables are included in the theory or model. The hypotheses are the observable and measurable features by which to test the theory.
Qualitative Studies
Where no previously stated theory or model of the phenomenon exists, an exploratory qualitative study may be the best choice. Here there is no set of hypotheses by which to measure the phenomenon. The researcher creates a research question that may be very open-ended, allowing the observations from the field to be recorded, classified, and analyzed, to find the variables that might later be used to create a theory or model of the phenomenon.
Mixed-Methods and Mixed-Model Studies
Some research questions may be complex and call for a combination of methods: both qualitative and qualitative data collection and analysis may be effective. The point here is that the research question may be used as a tool to determine the research method for the study.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study statement specifies what the study intends to accomplish. Creswell, pointing out the difference between the research problem, the research purpose, and the research question(s), says that “the purpose sets the objectives, the intent and the major idea of a proposal or study” (Creswell, 2003, p. 88).
To assist the researcher, Creswell has created a logical format for the statement of purpose for each type of study (i.e., qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods).
His “script” for a qualitative study includes the following:
1. Definition of the phenomenon.
2. Description of the methods used, such as case study, grounded theory, or ethnography.
3. Description of the subjects to be observed, as individuals, groups, or organizations.
4. Description of the setting where the research will be conducted.
Creswell’s script for a qualitative study:
| The purpose of this __________ (strategy of inquiry, such as ethnography, case study, or other type) is (was, will be) to ______________ (understand, describe, develop, discover) the ____________ (central phenomenon being studied) for _____________ (the participants, such as the individual, groups, organizations) at ________ (research site). At this stage in the research, the __________ (central phenomenon being studied) will be generally defined as _____________ (provide a general definition). (Creswell, 2003, p. 90) |
For quantitative studies, Creswell includes types of variables; the theory or model being compared or tested; the logical connection between independent, dependent, and intervening variables; the method of comparison; definitions of units of measurement; and a description of the research site.
Creswell’s script for a quantitative study:
| The purpose of this ______________ (experiment, survey, other type of study) is (was, will be) to test the theory of _____________ that ______________ (compares, relates) the _______________ (independent variable) to _______________ (dependent variable), controlling for ________________ (control variables) for _____________ (participants) at _______________ (the research site). The independent variable(s), _______________ (identify all independent variables), will be generally defined as _____________ (provide a general definition), and the control and intervening variables, ______________________(identify the control and intervening variables), will be statistically controlled in the study. (Creswell, 2003, pp. 96–97) |
Creswell also provides a script for mixed-methods research studies. Here he provides for the features of both qualitative and quantitative research procedures.
Creswell’s script for a mixed-methods study:
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The purpose of this two-phase, sequential, mixed-methods study will be to explore participant views with the intent of using this information to develop and test an instrument with a sample from a population. The first phase will be a qualitative exploration of a ______________ (central phenomenon) by collecting _____________ (data) from _______________ (participants) at __________________ (research site). Themes from this qualitative data will be developed into an instrument so that _________ (theory, research questions, or hypotheses) can be tested that ______________ (relate, compare) the qualitative _____________ (independent variable) with ______________ (independent variable) for ____________ (sample or population) at ___________a (research site). (Creswell, 2004, pp. 100–101) |
The Research Questions or Hypotheses
The research question is generally used in an exploratory qualitative study. The research question is often open-ended and allows for a broad inclusion of information from the data collection. It is often helpful to relate the method used in the study with the central research question.
Hypotheses are generally used in quantitative studies. Here the hypotheses will direct the research to the dependent and independent variables included in the study.
In the case of a mixed-methods research study, there will likely be a combination of open-ended qualitative research questions and research hypotheses that compare the independent, dependent, and intervening variables in a quantitative phase of the study.
Summary and Conclusion
The research problem, the purpose of the study, and the research question articulate the core ideas that embody a research study or proposal. Although they all speak about the theme of the study, each has its own specific purpose.
The research problem tells the reader what general social problem is being addressed by the study. It also lays the foundation for the articulation of the contribution the study will make to social change, a significant feature of all Walden University research.
The purpose of the study narrows the scope to what will be included and what will not. It provides the reader with specific information about the methods, participants, and research setting.
The research question identifies the specific questions or hypotheses, or a combination of both, that will be addressed in the study.
The careful creation of these three statements serves to set the study on a firm foundation before the work begins. The statements guide the researcher in the development of the research activities, and they inform the reader what to expect as the research report unfolds.
References
Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Leedy, P. D. (1989). Practical research planning and design (4th ed.). New York: Macmillan.
Tachakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (1998). Mixed methodology combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
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