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.
I share your frustrations with the dry, boring manner that Creswell chooses to present the text, and the formulaic method that he gives to draft research papers. While I realize that writing a research paper requires set guidelines that other academics have agreed upon, it seems to remove the writers personality and voice almost entirely, and this is a bit disheartening to me since I really enjoy creative writing. Using his templates serve an academic purpose, I'm sure, but it seems strange to encourage students to use what constitutes the words of others (at least partially) when presenting their own ideas. I have to admit, I'm not just intimidated by the thought of writing a mixed methods research paper after reading this, all three methods seem a bit out of my reach. Hopefully, with the help of this manual, Dr. P, and my classmates, I will be able to figure it out.
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