Chapter Six: The Purpose Statement

1. Chapter Six:The Purpose Statement RESEARCH DESIGN Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches Third Edition John W. Creswell

2. Chapter Outline Significance and Meaning of a Purpose Statement A Qualitative Purpose Statement A Quantitative Purpose Statement A Mixed Methods Purpose Statement

3. Significance and Meaning of a Purpose Statement The purpose statement Is the central controlling idea in a study Is written in a sentence or several sentences Sets the objectives, the intent, or the major idea of a proposal or a study The purpose statement is NOT The problem leading to a need for the study (see Chapter 5) The questions to be answered by collecting data (see Chapter 7)

4. Qualitative Purpose Statements A good qualitative purpose statement contains: The central phenomenon The participants The research site Include language drawn from qualitative inquiry Use words such as purpose, intent, or objective Use action verbs such as describe, understand, develop, examine the meaning of, or discover Use neutral, nondirectional language Indicate the strategy of inquiry Provide a tentative definition of the central phenomenon

5. A Script for Writing Qualitative Purpose Statements The purpose of this (strategy of inquiry, such as ethnography, case study, or other type) study is (was? will be?) to (understand? describe? develop? discover?) the (central phenomenon being studied) for (the participants, such as the individual, groups, organization) at (research site). At this stage in the research, the (central phenomenon being studied) will be generally defined as (provide a general definition).

6. Quantitative Purpose Statements A good quantitative purpose statement contains: The variables (independent, dependent, and mediating, moderating or control) The participants The research site Include the following: Use words such as purpose, intent, or objective Identify the theory, model, or conceptual framework Use words to connect the independent and dependent variables such as related to or comparison of Position the independent before the dependent variable; other variables may go between the two or after the dependent variable Mention the specific strategy of inquiry Provide general definitions of key variables

7. A Script for Writing Quantitative Purpose Statements The purpose of this (experiment? survey?) study is (was? will be?) to test the theory of (theory name) that (compares? relates?) the (independent variable) to (dependent variable), controlling for (control variables) for (participants) at (the research site). The independent variable(s) will be defined as (provide a definition). The dependent variable(s) will be defined as (provide a definition), and the control and intervening variable(s) will be defined as (provide a definition).

8. Mixed Methods Purpose Statements A good mixed methods purpose statement contains: The overall intent of the study from a content perspective Information about both the quantitative and qualitative strands of the study A rationale for combining both quantitative and qualitative data Guidelines include: Use words such as purpose, intent, or objective Indicate the type of mixed methods design Include the aspects of good qualitative and quantitative purpose statements Consider adding information on both types of data collection

9. Four Scripts for Writing Mixed Methods Purpose Statements I. Sequential Study with Quantitative Phase Building on Initial Qualitative Phase The intent of this two-phase, sequential mixed methods study is to (mention content objective of the study). The first phase will be a qualitative exploration of a (central phenomenon) by collecting (types of data) from (participants) at (research site). Findings from this qualitative phase will then be used to test (a theory, research questions, or hypotheses) that (relate, compare) (independent variable) with (dependent variable) for (sample of population) at (research site). The reason for collecting qualitative data initially is that (e.g., instruments are inadequate or not available, variables are not known, there is little guiding theory or few taxonomies).

10. Four Scripts for Writing Mixed Methods Purpose Statements II. Sequential Study with Qualitative Phase To Explain Initial Quantitative Results The intent of this two-phase, sequential mixed methods study will be to (mention content objective of the study). In the first phase, quantitative research questions or hypotheses will address the relationship or comparison of (independent) and (dependent) variables with (participants) at (the research site). Information from this first phase will be explored further in a second qualitative phase. In the second phase, qualitative interviews or observations will be used to probe significant (quantitative results) by exploring aspects of the (central phenomenon) with (a few participants) at (research site). The reason for following up with qualitative research in the second phase is to (e.g., better understand and explain the quantitative results).

11. Four Scripts for Writing Mixed Methods Purpose Statements III. Concurrent Study to Best Understand a Problem The intent of this concurrent mixed methods study is to (content objective of the study). In the study, (quantitative instruments) will be used to measure the relationship between (independent variable) and (dependent variable). At the same time, the (central phenomenon) will be explored using (qualitative interviews or observations) with (participants) at (the research site). The reason for combining both quantitative and qualitative data is to better understand this research problem by converging both quantitative (broad numeric trends) and qualitative (detailed views) data.

12. Four Scripts for Writing Mixed Methods Purpose Statements IV. A Transformative Mixed Methods Study The intent of this concurrent mixed methods study is to (state issue that needs to be addresses for group or individuals). In the study, (quantitative instruments) will be used to measure the relationship between (independent variable) and (dependent variable). At the same time, the (central phenomenon) will be explored using (qualitative interviews or observations) with (participants) at (the research site). The reason for combining both quantitative and qualitative data is to better understand this research problem by converging both quantitative (broad numeric trends) and qualitative (detailed views) data and to advocate for change for (groups or individuals).

13. Chapter Six:The Purpose Statement RESEARCH DESIGN Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches Third Edition John W. Creswell