1. Research Rescue Lab: A Holistic View of the Research Paper
Dr. Kelley Wood
School of Business and Graduate Studies
Trinity Washington University
Dr. Kelley D. Wood
Business and Graduate Studies

2. A Holistic View of the Research Paper
It is a process from start to finish
The topic of your inquiry leads to the discussion
Topic of Inquiry
Literature Survey
Research Questions, Problems, Purpose, Significance
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Research Methods
Results / Findings
Discussion
Dr. Kelley D. Wood
Business and Graduate Studies

3. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

4. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

5. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

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 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
Business and Graduate Studies

7. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

8. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

9. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

10. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

11. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

12. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

13. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

14. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

15. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

16. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

17. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

18. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

19. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

20. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

21. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

22. A Holistic View of the Research Paper
Theory
Variable or Factor
Concept
Becomes the…
Dr. Kelley D. Wood
Business and Graduate Studies

23. A Holistic View of the Research Paper
Data Collection Instrument
Factor
Question
Becomes the…
Dr. Kelley D. Wood
Business and Graduate Studies

24. A Holistic View of the Research Paper
Theory
Variable or Factor
Concept
Data Collection Instrument
Factor
Question
Dr. Kelley D. Wood
Business and Graduate Studies

25. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

26. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

27. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

28. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

29. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

30. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

31. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

32. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

33. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

34. 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
Business and Graduate Studies

35. 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
Business and Graduate Studies