Doing Your Own Research

Topic: A Focus for the Study F Is the topic likely researchable, given time, resources, and availability of data? F Is there a personal interest in the topic in order to sustain attention? F Will the results from the study be of interest to others (e.g. in the state, nation)? F Does the study (a) fill a void, (b) replicate, (c) extend, or (d) develop new ideas in the scholarly literature? F Is the topic likely to be publishable in a scholarly journal? F Will the project contribute to career goals?

A Paradigm for the Study F Quantitative –Experiments u True Experiments u Quasi Experiments –Surveys u Cross-sectional u Longitudinal F Qualitative –Grounded Theory –Case Studies

Purpose of the Literature F It shares with the reader the results of other studies that are closely related to the study being reported. F It relates a study to the larger, ongoing dialogue in the literature about a topic, filling in gaps and extending prior studies F It provides a framework for establishing the importance of the study with other findings.

A Priority for Reviewing the Literature F Begin with journal articles in respected, national journals, especially those that report research studies. Start with the most recent studies about the topic and then work backward in time. F Next review books related to the topic. F Follow this search by reading recent conference papers on a topic. F Look at the abstract of dissertations.

A Good Summary of A Journal Article F Mention the problem being addressed F State the central purpose or focus of the study F Briefly state information about the sample, population, or subjects F Review key results that relate to the study F Depending on whether or not the review is a methodological review, point out technical and methodological flaws in the study.

Objectives of the Introduction F Create reader interest in the topic F Establish the problem that leads to the study F Place the study within the larger context of the scholarly literature F Reach out to a specific audience

Key Components of the Introduction F Establishing the problem leading to the study F Casting the problem within the larger scholarly literature F Discussing deficiencies in the literature about the problem F Targeting an audience and noting significance of the problem for this audience.