Introduction, Purpose Statement, & Hypothesis/Research Questions Response

Breanna Henderson

Research Design (94-144) Response

In the section of Research Design that delves into Introductions, Purpose Statements, and Research Questions and Hypothesis, we’re provided with a sort of formulaic equation to guide us in writing the beginnings of our studies. Through these passages, we find what is acceptable and effective for understanding in an opening of a research study. In this essay, I will examine pieces of the Creswell text that hone in on the introduction, purpose statement, and research questions and hypothesis involved in a research study.

The introduction sections focuses heavily on the specific items that ought to go into the opening of the research study. For example, Creswell includes a model of an introduction that emphasizes the importance of writing bout the research problem, past studies addressing the problem, deficiencies in those past studies, the significance of the study for the audience, and finally, a purpose statement. It reminds me of those five-paragraph format essays that were harped upon all throughout high school; which is rather depressing, but it is slightly comforting to have a formula. I found it interesting that Creswell included the idea of a “narrative hook” (102), which is used to draw readers into the work. I’m glad that there is still use of creative writing in something that could be, seemingly, very dry.

The purpose statement section of the book focuses on the importance of stating a clear reason for developing your study. It gives a central purpose to the entire study, so it must be clear. The section emphasizes the need for the purpose statement, reasons to develop it, principles to use in its design, and also gives examples of a purpose statement specific to qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method studies. A qualitative would focus on more of the components of the study, like participants or the research site, whereas a quantitative study would focus more on the variables of the research question; a mixed methods approach might favor one of the other approaches in a purpose statement or give equal attention to both. I think it’s funny how a script can be included to help you along in the statement; how something so open minded (like a qualitative study), can be based on a script.

The research questions and hypothesis section focuses on specific questions related to the study. In qualitative studies, a central question exists that explores the central phenomenon of a study. The section emphasizes the importance of asking broad questions to help guide you in your study. Quantitative studies have a few more formulaic questions, like the research question that inquires about the relationship between variables. The hypothesis would make assumptions about the variables. The section goes on to include two kinds of hypotheses: directional and nondirectional. This sections almost makes me terrified to do a mixed methods study, the thought of addressing the reason of using this method and mixing the two approaches seems time-consuming and brutal. It seems much more manageable to just stick to one approach.

Though the reading is a bit dry and handbook-like, I can understand the importance of having a sort of formula to guide us along in our research. It’s comforting to know there is a format to assist us in all of our research endeavors.