1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

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

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

6. 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?

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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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:

11. 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.

12. 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).

13. 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

14. Introductions:
Concentration Faculty Members
Dissertation Chairs
Research Librarians