Description
In Module One, you identified a research topic that is of interest to you. For Module Two, you are asked to refine this interest into a specific purpose statement and research questions that grow out of the purpose statement. This step is essential to any good research project. The researcher needs to narrow the broad interest into a purpose that is “do-able” or manageable. Chapter Two of the text provides a good discussion of how to translate a research interest.
Once you have narrowed your focus into a specific purpose, you will need to narrow the focus into specific research questions. (The book chapter discusses “subproblems” but I want you to focus on developing research questions rather than subproblems. Research questions need to be specific (focused). For a quantitative study, questions should be measurable. For qualitative studies, it should be possible to answer the questions based on the kinds of data you are collecting. In a quantitative study, you may choose to include research hypotheses, especially if you are attempting to measure cause and effect. Hypotheses are not used in qualitative research because you are trying to “describe” phenomena, not “predict” relationships.
Reading a couple of studies related to your research topic would help you focus your purpose statement and research questions.
You should follow carefully the Module Two Rubric to see what other specific information should be included in this assignment. Be sure to read Chapter Two of your text carefully to better understand types of variables as well as the significance of the study.
Select one peer reviewed qualitative article and one peer reviewed quantitative article from the online database in the university library. I would suggest to choose two articles related to the research topic that you have selected in Module One assignment.
Critically analyze each study’s problem statement, purpose statement, hypothesis, and research questions. Compare and contrast theses elements in the two studies. Try to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each based on your understanding at this time. See the attached study examples with highlighted sections. Follow carefully the Compare and Contrast Essay Rubric provided for this assignment.
Your essay for this assignment should be between two and three pages. In the upper right hand corner of your paper, please type your full name and Compare and Contrast Essay. Double-space the text. Use a 12 pt. font.
Attachments
Compare Contrast _ Qual Article.pdf
Compare Contrast _ Quant Article.pdf