Organization and Identifying a Research versus a Social Problem Writing Center Amy Kubista, MALS Walden Writing Center

Session Overview Importance of organization Importance of clearly stating your problem Importance of turning your social problem into a research problem How it all fits together: Letting the research problem drive the paper/section

Why Organization Matters The way a paper is organized is largely the result of the logical and causal relationships between the themes apparent in the research. In other words, each theme is specifically placed in the paper so that it is the result of the previous theme and able to contribute to the next. This allows the reader to follow a clear, logical train of thought.

The Funnel Concept The paper as a whole, each section in the paper, and each paragraph within each section should be organized like a funnel or cone: Start wide and then narrow down to a point. What you put in the top of the funnel must relate to what comes before it. What comes out of the funnel must lead into the next paragraph or section

Theses and Topic Sentences Your paper will begin with a thesis statement (which is an argument that is capable of advancement), and everything in the paper must contribute to and connect to that thesis (advance it in some way). Your paragraphs will begin with topic sentences, which are sort of like mini-thesis statements for each paragraph. All of the content in that paragraph must connect to the topic sentence.

Want to Learn More About This? Organizing a Paper – Thesis Construction – Topic Sentences –

Driving Your Paper Your thesis drives your paper and gives you the foundation for solid organization When conducting a study and writing your capstone paper, you will use what is called a problem statement, which is like a thesis, to drive your paper and serve as the foundation for your organization.

What is a Problem Statement? “a clear statement demonstrating that the focus of the study is on a significant problem that is worthy of study” (Dissertation Rubric, 2009, p. 4).

Before you can begin any study, you must understand the distinction between a social problem and a research problem Social v. Research

A Social Problem is: The effects that an issue has on a specific population. It is the issue that you see “on the ground” so to speak. The social problem is what has prompted you to conduct your study. It provides the background information to your research problem.

The research problem is based on a gap in the literature or a gap in practice. It drives the rest of the dissertation—the purpose, the questions, the method, the significance. A Research Problem is: Social problem (Intro & Background) Questions that address the purpose Purpose Refined, based on gap in literature, into research problem Method that answers those questions

The Difference? You solve a practical problem by changing something out there in the world, by doing something. But before you can solve a practical problem, you have to pose and solve a research problem [which you solve] not by changing anything in the world but by learning more about something or understanding it better (Booth, Colomb, & Williams, 1995, pp ).

Gearing up for The Big Paper Many Walden course assignments are designed to prep you for writing your capstone project. As you progress through your courses you will become familiar with writing problem statements, identifying methodology, stating the purpose of a study, and so forth. What is the point of all of this? – It will prepare you for writing the first chapter of your dissertation or project study, which in turn: Sets tone for the rest of the document Establishes researcher credibility Demonstrates scholarly voice

Process Complete coursework and/or KAMs ProspectusProposal Dissertation/Doctoral study The more you learn now, the easier the last step will be!

The Point of Learning to Write Chapter 1 Chapter/section 1 is a roadmap: Helps readers understand where the student is going with the project. Must have a clear social change implication stated (hint: this is your research problem, which is grounded in a social problem!).

Chapter/Section 1: Subheadings Introduction Problem Statement Nature of the Study Research Questions, Hypotheses, and/or Research Objectives Purpose of the Study Theoretical Base or Conceptual Framework Operational Definitions Assumptions Limitations Scope or Delimitations Significance of Study Transitional Statement

Everything Has to Connect Background (social problem)  Problem Statement (research problem)  Questions/Hypotheses  Method  Theoretical Framework

Writing the Problem Statement In quantitative studies, the problem statement concisely states what will be studied by describing at least two variables and a conjectured relationship between them. In qualitative studies, the problem statement describes the need for increased understanding about the issue to be studied.

Write your problem statement by writing what the research problem is (hint: a gap in the literature or a gap in practice) The problem that this study addresses is _____________________. Fill in the Blank

Writing the Problem Statement Try starting the next sentence with “Although.” The problem this study addresses is_______. Although past research has shown A, B, C, and D, it is unclear why or how or to what extent E.

Make Sure the Problem Statement “concisely states what will be studied by describing at least two variables and a conjectured relationship between them. In qualitative studies the Problem Statement describes the need for increased understanding about the issue to be studied” (Dissertation Rubric, 2009, p. 4).

Challenges of Chapter 1 Writer’s block (good resource on Writing Center website: Writing in sections and making those sections flow together Organizing sections in most logical manner

Use the Template & Rubric! Walden Writing Center’s Dissertation and Project Study Templates: Dissertation/Project Study Rubrics:

Tutor or Editor? Tutors: all course work, including EDAD courses through 8080 and DDBA courses through 8990, and for KAM, thesis, and dissertation prospectus drafts. KAM-based students who do not have a committee chair (and are still working solely with a faculty mentor) should send all work to the tutors. Dissertation editors: all dissertation, doctoral study, and dissertation proposal drafts and for work in EDAD 8090, PSYC 9000, PUBH 9000, and DDBA KAM- based students who have a committee chair should send dissertation work to the dissertation editors.

Tutor replies with feedback and observations about skills Continue using WIRE (paper feedback, customized link referral) Website eCampus services Instructional Handouts Videos Discussion Board Chat PPT Presentations Webinars Residencies Informal Services (Blog and Twitter) Links Templates Sample Papers Writing courses Writing Services Sentenceworks

Materials Available Writing courses Residencies (presentations and advising) Webinars (live and archived) Website (templates, handouts, videos) Discussion board Twitter Sentenceworks

Questions?