Week 4: Research Purpose

Returning to the Grand Canyon panorama discussed in previous weeks, imagine that you are comfortable with the overall arrangement of pictures; however, you have identified gaps in your panorama and have chosen to fill them in, which will require another trip to the Grand Canyon.

As you plan your next trip, you realize there could be a number of ways to approach this task, so a clear purpose for your trip is needed to focus your efforts. For researchers who are designing their research, a clear purpose is also an important step in the research process because it guides the direction of their study.

This week, you will continue to analyze the interrelated elements of a research study, now turning to the purpose statement and its relation to theory and the problem statement. You will also consider the relationship between research and social change.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Evaluate purpose statements in research studies published in peer-reviewed journals
• Analyze alignment among theory, problem, and purpose in research studies published in peer-reviewed journals
• Explain relationship between research and social change
• Apply APA Style to writing

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Babbie, E. (2017).
Basics of social research (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

• Chapter 4, “Research Design”

Burkholder, G. J., Cox, K. A., & Crawford, L. M. (2016).
The scholar-practitioner’s guide to research design. Baltimore, MD: Laureate Publishing.

• Chapter 10, “Writing the Research Proposal”

Document: Journal Articles (Word Document)
For the Discussion, download this document, refer to the assigned journal articles for your program, and find these articles in the Walden Library.

Document: Purpose Statement Checklist (PDF)

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2016c).
Purposes of research [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 14 minutes.

Dr. Patton discusses the five purposes of research.

Accessible player
–Downloads–Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload Transcript

Laureate Education (Producer). (2009a).
Doctoral research: Social change [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 10 minutes.

Walden University researchers/professors explain how and why they believe research can help bring about positive social change.

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Discussion: Evaluating 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, G. M. P., Jr., 2003, p. 169)

For this Discussion, you will evaluate the purpose statements in assigned journal articles in your discipline and consider the alignment of theory, problem, and purpose. You will also explain your position on the relationship between research and social change.

Alignment means that a research study possesses clear and logical connections among all of its various components. To achieve these connections, researchers must carefully craft the components of their study such that when they are viewed together, there is a coherent interrelationship.

As you read the authors’ purpose statements, consider how well the intent of the study, and its connection to the problem and theoretical framework, is presented. Also consider if the purpose statement reveals the study’s potential for engendering positive social change.

As you know, social change is a distinguishing feature of Walden University’s mission. Positive social change implies a transformation that results in positive outcomes. This can happen at many levels (e.g., individual, family systems, neighborhoods, organizations, nationally and globally); and positive social change can occur at different rates: slow and gradual or fast and radical

Post a critique of the research study in which you:

• Evaluate the purpose statement using the Purpose Statement Checklist as a guide
• Analyze alignment among the theory, research problem, and purpose
• Explain your position on the relationship between research and social change

Be sure to support your Main Issue Post and Response Post with reference to the week’s Learning Resources and other scholarly evidence in APA Style.

Read a selection of your classmates’ postings.