RESEARCH RESCUE LAB: A HOLISTIC VIEW OF THE RESEARCH PAPER Dr. Kelley Wood School of Professional Studies Trinity Washington University

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 2 Topic of Inquiry Literature Survey Research Questions, Problems, Purpose, Significance AbstractIntroduction Literature Review Research Methods Results / Findings Discussion It is a process from start to finish The topic of your inquiry leads to the discussion

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Topic of Inquiry –Investigate an 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 workplace relationships? Do the economic conditions in failed states yield more radicals interested in terrorism? Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 3

A Holistic View of the Research Paper 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 –Search intensively in the Trinity library databases, your textbooks, and other reliable resources Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 4

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Literature Survey –Ground yourself in the scholarly fields related to this inquiry –The more you read and the more diverse your readings, the better informed you will be –This stage is very important! You are mastering your topic of inquiry –Begin developing an annotated bibliography of the material you are collecting Organize it into logical groupings – categories and subcategories Start to organize the categories and subcategories into a narrative Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 5

A Holistic View of the Research Paper 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 Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 6

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Research Question(s) Now that you are mastering the topic of your inquiry, you know what to investigate more specifically –You might winnow out resources that are not necessary to this narrower topic Not to worry, you were informed by them and they will continue to effect your perspective of the topic of inquiry Set them aside where you can find them just in case! Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 7

A Holistic View of the Research Paper 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 –The more you know, the easier this will be! Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 8

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Research Question(s) 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! Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 9

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Abstract 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 Use a version of the ancient philosophical art of Syllogism –Major point (general context) –Minor Point (specific context) –Conclusion (statement of the problem) Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 10

A Holistic View of the Research 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, recommendations, implications All in 150 to 250 words! Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 11

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Abstract – Playing it forward –Where will you use this? –1 sentence regarding the general context of your research topic of inquiry –1 sentence of specific context The Introduction chapter’s preamble (background) section The Literature Review chapter’s development of the topic’s context, which starts the chapter –1 sentence stating the research problem The Introduction chapter’s Statement of the Problem The Literature Review section of the context of the problem Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 12

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Abstract – Playing it forward –1 sentence stating the method of inquiry –1 sentence describing the results or findings The Introduction chapter’s Research Methods section The Literature Review chapter’s guide to Other Research and Methods section and As a guide to the Research Methods chapter Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 13

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Abstract – Playing it forward –1 sentence stating the method of analysis –1 sentence describing the results or findings The Results or Findings chapter –1 sentence describing the conclusions The Discussion Chapter –These two sentences in the abstract can be held until you have completed the related chapters –Additionally, the Abstract can become a guide to the Summary of the Discussion chapter What a bonus! Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 14

A Holistic View of the Research Paper 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 Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 15

A Holistic View of the Research Paper 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 You will recognize this as the background section of other publishing styles –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. Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 16

A Holistic View of the Research Paper 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 Question(s) Hypotheses (if quantitative or mixed-methods) –Research Method –Ethical Considerations –Definition of Key Terms –Delimitations –Limitations –Summary Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 17

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Literature Review –This chapter builds your 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 your inquiry Thus, it informs the data collection instrument Mention each dependent and independent variable (quantitative) Or factor (qualitative) Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 18

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Literature Review Review of Other Research Methods –Used in investigating similar topics Theoretical Framework or Theoretical Construct –This is a model of the theory of your inquiry –Describe and define the elements as they will be used in your study –It finishes with a figure of the model as a visual representation Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 19

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Literature Review –Sections of the chapter Review of Other Research Methods –Used in investigating similar topics Theoretical Framework or Theoretical Construct –This is a model of the theory of your inquiry –Describe and define the elements as they will be used in your study –It finishes with a figure of the model as a visual representation Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 20

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Literature Review –Sections of the chapter Theoretical Framework or Theoretical Construct –Use the model of the theory of your inquiry to determine the content of the data collection instrument –See the example in the next few slides Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 21

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 22 Theory Variable or Factor Concept Variable or Factor Concept Becomes the…

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 23 Data Collection Instrument Factor Question Factor Question Becomes the…

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 24 Theory Variable or Factor Concept Variable or Factor Concept Data Collection Instrument Factor Question Factor Question

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Research Methods –Determine and discuss the strategy for collecting data –Think of this as the outline of your experiment, which tests your model (research design) and its ability to reliably predict results –Discuss how you will collect reliable and valid data in a way that can be replicated –Develop the Data Collection Instrument Is derived from the quantitative Theoretical Framework, or the qualitative Theoretical Construct or Conceptual Map Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 25

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Research Methods Preamble – informed by the abstract and introduction –Setting –Population/ Data Source –Research Design (Strategy) – informed by the abstract and introduction If quantitative – also include measurements for common tests in this section –Data Collection Instrument Protocol Observation, Interview, Questionnaire, Survey –Data Analysis Strategy –Summary Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 26

A Holistic View of the Research Paper 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 –Appendices Now you can write your IRB Application! Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 27

A Holistic View of the Research Paper After you collect data –Begin on the final two chapters! –Review the data collected as you go –Practice your data analysis strategy Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 28

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Results (Quantitative and Mixed-methods) –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 –Analysis is reporting, describing, and defining your data You will use the scholarly skills of analysis –Define, describe, compare, contrast, differentiate, illustrate, outline, relate, separate, and deconstruct Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 29

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 (Discussion of Participants if qualitative) Your actual participants Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 30

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Results or Findings Sections of the Chapter –Data Coding and Analysis Qualitative –Discussion of the three stage coding process and examples of your findings –Report and present what is in your data through descriptive and inferential analysis Theoretical Framework or Theoretical Construct –Relate some of your results or findings to each variable or factor –Reliable, Replicable, Valid Summary Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 31

A Holistic View of the Research Paper 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 Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 32

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Discussion –Sections of the Chapter –Preamble Research Questions - from the introduction and the results or findings –Hypotheses (If quantitative show how the alternate or the null were proven) –Discussion of the results or findings in addressing the research questions –Present examples of data related to your questions Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 33

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Discussion –Sections of the Chapter Conclusions –What can be inferred from the data analysis completed in the previous chapter? –Evidence based – data analysis is your evidence Recommendations - informed by the delimitations and limitations Implications - informed by the delimitations and limitations Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 34

A Holistic View of the Research Paper Discussion –Sections of the Chapter Significant Learning (*Optional) Summary –In this summary you will summarize the whole research project –Use your abstract as a guide and super size it into an informative narrative Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity Washington University SPS 35