1. The Literature Search and Background of the Problem

2. At a general level, research consists of three steps: Pose a question.
Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information in order to increase our understanding of a topic or issue.
At a general level, research consists of three steps:
Pose a question.
Collect data to answer the question.
Present an answer to the question.
Creswell (2005) p.3

3. The Research Process: Adapted from Creswell p.51
Identify a research problem
Read and study the literature to learn what is known about the problem. Once you have the background of the problem you can build a case for the need to know
Specify a purpose
Determine how to conduct your research
Collect and research data
Analyze and interpret the data
Report findings and conclusions

4. “What is already known” empirical studies, theories, models,
case studies, statistical analyses, conference proceedings, peer-reviewed journals, resource manuals and handbooks, books, dissertations, theses, contemporary research, articles, White Papers, experts and new research.

5. The Background of the Problem
Narrative Hook
The Background of the Problem
Problem Statement
Purpose
Definitions
Significance

6. Chapter One Chapter Two: Review of the Literature Title
Narrative Hook- Introduction
“Background of the Problem” using
your literature review to build a case
for the “need to know”
Problem Statement
Narrative Statement of Purpose
Definitions
Significance
Chapter Two:
Review of the Literature
Heading
sub-heading
sub heading

7. Qualitative Design Quantitative Design Include Statistical Analyses
Generalizability
Larger Population
Describe trends Identity
specific variables and seek
answers to how independent
variables influence dependent
variables
Experimental Research:
pre and post testing, control
groups, intervention studies
Survey
Correlation studies
Collect data that are
measurable, and report those
data statistically using
mathematical procedures.
Have a central theme, question phenomenon
Explore and discover
Study groups and individuals, cultures, phenomena, history
Develop models or grounded theory
Collect data in texts, observations, review of materials, interviews, narratives, visuals
Look for themes and patterns, often coding large amounts of text to uncover meaning.
Mixed Methods / Qualitative and Quantitative Mixed Design.

8. Use Quantitative Research If You Want To…
Assess the impact of variables on an outcome
Measure variables
Gather data from large populations
Want generalizability
Test theories or broad explanations
Design control groups for experimenting with treatments, such as traditional lesson delivery and interactive technology
Use Mixed Methods to gather data that can be reported statistically and support with interviews, observations, review of documents, images or texts

9. Use Qualitative Research When You Want To…
Explore and discover
Study long term cases of particular interest
Gather large amounts of written or spoken testimony, images and perceptions
Study small numbers of individuals or sites
Observe, interview, collect texts and images, review documents - as the primary sources of data collection
Explore a central phenomenon within its group or culture
Conduct Mixed Methods research with a qualitative focus and quantitative data to further explore, explain or discover

10. The Background of the Problem
Narrative Hook
The Background of the Problem
Problem Statement
Purpose
Definitions
Significance

11. Problem
Part I
Purpose
Part II
Review of the Literature
Part III
Methodology

12. The Background of the Problem
Narrative Hook
The Background of the Problem
Problem Statement
Purpose
Definitions
Significance

13. Choose a Working Title The Problem
Narrative Hook - The Introduction
Elicits interest and affective responses from the reader.
Invites curiosity.
Motivates the reader to go on
May contain statistics that dramatize the scope of the problem
Presents a clear need for research early-on..
Ties the world problem to the “need to know”.
Communicates significance.
Poses a compelling question.
Makes a connection among supporting data.
Intrigues the reader.
The Problem
Write a preliminary statement of the problem.
Then, look deeply into the statement you have written for key words, phrases and theoretical terms.
Use the online thesaurus to explore related
key terms within your problem statement..

14. Creswell Chapter Three
Problem Justification
Debates in the Literature
Evidence from Literature
Controversies
Recommendations for Further Study
New Need as a Result of Change
Deficiencies in Body of Evidence in the Literature
Gaps
Inconclusive Evidence
Conflicts
Controversies
What do We Need to Know More About?
Research Problem
Concern
Issue
Needs a Solution
Close-Relating Clearly…
The Need to Know
Significance of Knowing
Topic