Writing and Aligning Purpose and RQs NSU/FCE&SCJ summer Institute 2019 Presenters: Gabriela mendez, phd Associate professor And katrina pann, PhD Dissertation Services Associate

Goals for this Presentation Understand what alignment means in terms of a dissertation Understand why alignment is critical to a dissertation Know the components of a dissertation that must be aligned Write aligned purpose and research questions

Alignment Items Problem Statement Purpose Statement Research Questions Items from Data Collection Instruments (In this session, we will focus on the purpose and research questions.) In this presentation we will focus on 2 and 3.

Using an Alignment Matrix to Visualize All Items are In A Row

The following is an example of an Alignment Matrix we’re going to complete today.

Problem Statement Purpose Statement RQ1: RQ2: RQ3: Research Questions Questions you will answer as a result of implementing your study (collecting and analyzing your data) Explanation of how your research questions align with your problem and purpose statements  RQ1:   RQ2: RQ3: Switch this out for version we’ll be distributing in workshop?

Example Problem Statement The problem to be explored in this study is the high level of attrition of students at a local community college.

Creation of the Purpose Statement Based on goals to address the problem, you create your Purpose Statement.   The purpose of this case study is to discover what are the perceptions of current first-year students at a local community college regarding their retention.

Moving from the Problem to the Purpose Topic Post secondary student attrition rate The problem to be explored in this study is the high level of attrition of students at a local community college. Problem Statement At a local community college, 28% of first-year students drop out before the end of their 2nd semester. Evidence Critical to job market and enrollment numbers of 4-year colleges Significance The purpose of this case study is to discover what are the perceptions of current first-year students at a local community college regarding their retention. Purpose Statement

Problem Statement : The problem to be explored in this study is the high level of attrition of students at a local community college. Purpose Statement: The purpose of this case study is to discover what are the perceptions of current first-year students at a local community college regarding their retention. Research Questions Questions you will answer as a result of implementing your study (collecting and analyzing your data) Explanation of how your research questions align with your problem and purpose statements RQ1:   RQ2: RQ3:

Research Questions HINTS: Using the example problem and purpose statements, let’s create a couple of research questions (RQs). HINTS: The RQs should be something you can only answer by conducting the local study. If the answer can be found in the literature, you don’t need to do the study. The RQs are not the same as the interview or survey questions. Note whether the RQs questions are qualitative or quantitative.

Problem Statement : The problem to be explored in this study is the high level of attrition of students at a local community college. Purpose Statement: The purpose of this case study is to discover what are the perceptions of current first-year students at a local community college regarding their retention. Research Questions (i.e., questions you will answer as a result of implementing your study) Explanation of how your research questions align with your problem and purpose statements. RQ1: What are some of the reasons students do not complete their studies at a local community college?   Students’ perceptions of the reasons they or others may not complete their studies are a subset of their overall perceptions regarding their retention (purpose). An understanding of the reasons students may not complete their studies is a first step in helping the college address the high level of attrition (problem). RQ2: What initiatives did students note the college should provide to help retain them? Students’ perceptions of initiatives needed to help retain them are a subset of their overall perceptions regarding their retention (purpose) and may be part of what is needed to address the high level of attrition (problem).

YOUR TURN-Complete an Alignment Matrix Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Write down your problem and purpose statements Generate at least 3 research questions Explain how your research questions align with your problem and purpose statements

Introductions: Concentration Faculty Members Dissertation Chairs Research Librarians