Homework 2: Qualitative and Quantitative Purpose Statements

The purpose statement indicates why you want to do the study and what you intend to accomplish. The purpose statement sets forth the intent of the study, not the problem or issue leading to a need for the study. Instead and again, the purpose statement sets the objectives, the intent, or the major idea of a proposal or a study. This idea builds on a need (the problem) and is refined into specific questions (the research questions). Good qualitative purpose statements contain information about the central phenomenon explored in the study, the participants in the study, and the research site. It also conveys an emerging design and uses research words drawn from the language of qualitative inquiry. Use words such as purpose, intent, or objective to signal attention to this statement as the central controlling idea. Use action verbs to convey how learning will take place. Action verbs and phrases, such as, understand, develop, explore, examine the meaning of, or discover, keep the inquiry open and convey an emerging design. Quantitative purpose statements differ considerably from the qualitative models in terms of the language and a focus on relating or comparing variables or constructs. Include words to signal the major intent of the study, such as purpose, intent, or objective. Start with “The purpose (or objective or intent) of this study is (was, will be). Develop at least 2 (1 each for qualitative and quantitative) purpose statements for a hypothetical research you plan to conduct or for a research you are conducting for another class. Use the textbook scripts on page 126 and 130 to guide you on the development of each. See the attached sample. All written submissions should reflect professionalism in grammar, spelling, writing style/format (one-inch margins, double spaced, typed in 12-point Times New Roman font), include APA 6th citations when appropriate, an appropriate title page, and be uploaded as .doc or .docx documents.