+ research rescue lab: a holistic view of the research paper dr. kelley wood school of professional...

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Research Rescue Lab: A Holistic View of the Research Paper

Dr. Kelley WoodSchool of Professional StudiesTrinity Washington University

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Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS

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A Holistic View of the Research Paper

Topic of Inquiry

Literature Survey

Research Questions Abstract Introduction Literature

ReviewResearch Methods

Results / Findings Discussion


3+A Holistic View of the Research Paper

Topic of Inquiry Interest in a topic related to your career field This is the overarching question that motivates your

research Does transformational leadership in the federal

government agencies provide opportunities for advancement?

Does social media use promote and facilitate better relationships?

Do the economic conditions in failed states yield more radicals interested in terrorism?



Topic of Inquiry Discuss this topic of inquiry with your advisor, program

chair, and instructors! Watch and listen for clues that might help you focus your

topic



Literature Survey Ground your self in the scholarly fields related to this

inquiry The more you read and the more diverse your readings, you

will be better informed You are mastering the topic of your inquiry Begin developing an annotated bibliography of the material

you are collecting Organize it into logical groupings – categories!



Research Question(s)

Now that you are mastering the topic of your inquiry, you know what to investigate more specifically You are narrowing your topic of inquiry

Moving from broad issues that cannot be resolved within the constraints of your semester

To narrow, focused issues that you can resolve within the constraint of your semester



Research Question(s)

This can be difficult, especially if you have not spent enough time mastering your topic of inquiry There is a direct relationship between the time spent in

gaining mastery and the relative ease of completing this project

I recommend following along with the exercises in: Booth, Colomb, & Williams (2009). The Craft of Research.

Chicago, Illinois: Chicago University Press Several are on reserve and in the stacks of the library on

campus!



Abstract

This is a concise statement of the roadmap to, or blueprint of, your research paper

This is not intended to be persuasive, rather it is intended to be informative

Thus, it should contain specific information regarding your research

In APA style we have 150 words in which to accomplish this task You must be economical, concise, and coherent Continue to polish this as you revise drafts of your paper



Abstract 1 sentence regarding the general context of your research

topic of inquiry 1 sentence of specific context 1 sentence stating the research problem 1 sentence stating the method of inquiry 1 sentence stating the method of analysis 1 sentence describing the results or findings 1 sentence describing the conclusions

All in 150 words!



Abstract – Playing it forward The preamble – background sections of the Introduction and the

Literature Review 1 sentence regarding the general context of your research

topic of inquiry 1 sentence of specific context

Statement of the problem in the Introduction and a section of the background you the Literature Review 1 sentence stating the research problem

The Introduction’s research methods section and a guide to the Literature Review’s section on other research and methods and the Research Methods chapter 1 sentence stating the method of inquiry 1 sentence describing the results or findings



Abstract – Playing it forward The preamble – background sections of the Introduction and

the Literature Review Statement of the problem in the Introduction and a section

of the background you the Literature Review The Introduction’s research methods section and a guide to

the Literature Review’s section on other research and methods and the Research Methods chapter

You can see this outlines much of your proposal!



Abstract – Playing it forward The Results or Findings Chapter

1 sentence stating the method of analysis 1 sentence describing the results or findings

The Discussion Chapter 1 sentence describing the conclusions

These two sentences can be held until you have completed the related chapters



Introduction

This is the roadmap to, or the blueprint of, the first three chapters - the proposal

The purpose of this chapter is to inform your readers by outlining the proposal



Introduction

Begin each chapter with a preamble or preface This is especially important in the introduction, which

provides the background and the build up to the statement of the problem

In all other chapters the preamble informs the reader of what lies ahead in the chapter

End each chapter with a summary Remind the readers of the highlights of this chapter before

they move on to the next.



Introduction

Chapter sections Preamble – informed by the abstract Statement of the Problem – informed by the abstract Purpose of the Study – informed by the abstract Significance of the Study – informed by the abstract Theoretical Perspective Research Questions Ethical Considerations Definition of Key Terms Delimitations Limitations Summary



Literature Review This chapter build the argument, through logic, that is the

basis of the study The result of this is the Theoretical Framework or

Theoretical Construct You will use several forms of essay to accomplish this

Compare and contrast, informational, descriptive, argumentative, etcetera

Theoretical Framework or Theoretical Construct This outlines the theory of inquiry Thus, it informs the data collection instrument Mention each dependent and independent variable Or factor


17+A Holistic View of the Research Paper Literature Review

Sections of the chapter Preamble – informed by the abstract

A brief argument, moving from general to specific, that prepares the reader for engaging in the topic areas you have determined must be covered to support the Theoretical Framework or Theoretical Construct

Sections and subsections as necessary to the argument Case studies should include the subject of the case

Review of other research methods Used in investigating similar topics

Theoretical Framework or Theoretical Construct Describe and define the elements as they will be used in your

study Including a figure or model as a visual representation



TheoryVariable

or Factor Concept

Concept

Concept

Variable or Factor

Concept

Concept

Concept

Becomes the…



Data Collection Instrument

Factor

Question

Question

Question

Factor

Question

Question

Question

Becomes the…



TheoryVariable

or Factor Concept

Concept

Concept

Variable or Factor

Concept

Concept

Concept Data Collection Instrument Facto

rQuestion

Question

Question

Factor

Question

Question

Question



Research Methods Determine the strategy for collecting data Develop the Data Collection Instrument

Should be derived from the Theoretical Framework o Theoretical Construct



Research Methods Preamble – informed by the abstract and introduction Research Design – informed by the abstract and introduction Setting Population/ Data Source

Your potential participants Research Strategy/ Measurements Data Collection Instrument Protocol

Interview, Questionnaire, Survey, Observation, Secondary data, content or document analysis - How data

sources will be selected Data Analysis Strategy Summary



The Proposal Written in future tense as you propose to accomplish this

research

Sections of the Proposal Title Page Abstract Table of Contents Introduction Literature Review Research Methods

Now you can write your IRB Application!



Results (Quantitative) Data should reflect the Theoretical Framework

Or

Findings (Qualitative) Data should reflect the Theoretical Construct

The purpose of this chapter is simply to report on the data you have collected

You will use the scholarly skills of analysis Define, describe, compare, contrast, differentiate, illustrate,

outline, relate, separate, and deconstruct


25+A Holistic View of the Research Paper Results or Findings

Sections of the Chapter Preamble Data Analysis Strategy - informed by the research methods Discussion of the Sample

Your actual participants Data Coding

Quantitative Presentation and discussion of your tables and results

Qualitative Discussion of the three stage coding process and examples of your findings

Theoretical Framework or Theoretical Construct Relate some of your results or findings to each variable or factor Reliable, Replicable, Valid

Summary



Discussion Should address the research questions This is the main event You will use the scholarly skills of Synthesis and Evaluation

Synthesis - categorizes, combines, compiles, composes, creates, devises, designs, explains, organizes, plans, rearranges, reconstructs, relates, reorganizes

Evaluation - appraises, compares, concludes, contrasts, criticizes, critiques, defends, describes, discriminates, evaluates, explains, interprets, justifies, relates, summarizes, supports


27+A Holistic View of the Research Paper Discussion

Sections of the Chapter Preamble Research Questions - from the introduction and the results or

findings Discussion of the results or findings in addressing the research

questions Conclusions

What can be inferred from the data analysis completed in the previous chapter?

Evidence based – data analysis is your evidence Recommendations, implications - informed by the delimitations and

limitations Summary

In this summary you will summarize the whole research project

+ research rescue lab: a holistic view of the research paper dr. kelley wood school of professional...

Documents

research paper abstract

craft of research

holistic view

research rescue lab

chicago university press

concise statement

broad issues

better relationships