Analyzing and Evaluating Introductions and Purpose Statements
“…there is a link between understanding the purpose of one’s research and selecting the appropriate methods to investigate the questions that are derived from that purpose.”
—Newman, Ridenour, Newman, & DeMarco, Jr. (p. 169)
This week, you will continue to analyze the interconnected elements of a research study, now turning to the introduction and purpose statement.
This week, you will switch articles for your primary focus. For example, if you were focusing on Article A in Weeks 4 and 5, then you will now focus on Article B this week and in Week 7. The Respond requirement this week does not follow the usual guidelines. You will still respond to two colleagues, but one colleague must have read Article A and one must have read Article B.
To prepare for this Discussion:
• Change to the other article this week. If you were assigned to Article A last week, switch to Article B this week.
• Review Chapters 5 and 6 in the course text, Research Design.
• Review the book excerpt “A Typology of Research Purposes and Its Relationship to Mixed Methods.”
• Review the annotated journal article “Developing Long-Term Physical Activity Participation: A Grounded Theory Study With African American Women,” which is annotated to reveal the how an introduction and purpose statement function.
• Look to the Introduction Checklist and Purpose Statement Checklist for more guidance in analyzing and evaluating the introduction and purpose statement in your assigned article.
• Review Discussion 1 in Weeks 4 and 5.
• Identify the purpose for research in your article according to the nine purposes of research found in “A Typology of Research Purposes and Its Relationship to Mixed Methods.” It is possible that your assigned article may have more than one purpose.
• Assess and evaluate the introductions and purpose statements. As part of the evaluation, be sure to describe how well the introduction achieves its purpose and, if applicable, include suggestions for improvement.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post by Day 3 a 3-paragraph analysis and evaluation of your assigned article’s introduction and purpose statement. Be sure to include which one (or more, if applicable) of the nine purposes for research from “A Typology of Research Purposes and Its Relationship to Mixed Methods” your assigned article represents. Then, in a final paragraph, ask any questions you may have about introductions and purpose statements.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the reading(s) and/or media segment(s) and use APA format.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.
Respond by Day 5 to at least two of your colleagues’ postings. One of your responses must be to a colleague using the same article as you, and one response must be to a colleague using the other article. Respond in one or more of the following ways:
• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.
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