Analyzing and Evaluating Introductions and Purpose Statements

“…there is a link between understanding the purpose of one’s research and selecting the appropriate methods to investigate the questions that are derived from that purpose.”

—Newman, Ridenour, Newman, & DeMarco, Jr. (p. 169)

This week, you will continue to analyze the interconnected elements of a research study, now turning to the introduction and purpose statement.

This week, you will switch articles for your primary focus. For example, if you were focusing on Article A in Weeks 4 and 5, then you will now focus on Article B this week and in Week 7. The Respond requirement this week does not follow the usual guidelines. You will still respond to two colleagues, but one colleague must have read Article A and one must have read Article B.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Change to the other article this week. If you were assigned to Article A last week, switch to Article B this week.
  
• Review Chapters 5 and 6 in the course text, Research Design.
  
• Review the book excerpt “A Typology of Research Purposes and Its Relationship to Mixed Methods.”
  
• Review the annotated journal article “Developing Long-Term Physical Activity Participation: A Grounded Theory Study With African American Women,” which is annotated to reveal the how an introduction and purpose statement function.
  
• Look to the Introduction Checklist and Purpose Statement Checklist for more guidance in analyzing and evaluating the introduction and purpose statement in your assigned article.
  
• Review Discussion 1 in Weeks 4 and 5.
  
• Identify the purpose for research in your article according to the nine purposes of research found in “A Typology of Research Purposes and Its Relationship to Mixed Methods.” It is possible that your assigned article may have more than one purpose.
  
• Assess and evaluate