Post 11
Post 11
THESIS RESEARCH AND WRITING/ METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH
Lecture on Purpose of Study
I. Opening Comments
This topic is often one of the most confusing to students. On first blush, the fragrance of the information is heady and may cause heads to spin. “Is this not the same as the thesis,” students often ask. The best response is that while it may seem so at first, upon more full investigation there are marked differences.
The thesis statement is a clear declaration of what the student has formed in his or her mind. It is a stand taken. It is a proclamation of an idea which the student has crafted in order to put the reader/listener on notice. In many ways, it is a gauntlet thrown down, inviting interaction.
The Purpose Statement picks up that thesis and says, “This is what I intend to do with this new idea.” The Purpose shows how the thesis can be applied. It says that the thesis is a working concept, not something that is simply to be put on a shelf and admired. The purpose statement declares what should be accomplished by putting the thesis into action.
II. Review of Assignment
The last couple of assignments required students to craft a statement of approach or scope. Since this is not a science or mathematical study, approach may be more loosely defined than a statement of which formulas would be invoked in the area of engineering. Limiting the scope will help the student to keep the reader/listener engaged, knowing that there is a boundary to contain the information. Managing expectations is a very important part of communication and leadership. An outline will help the writer to move more smoothly along the pathway toward completion.
III. New Material on the Purpose of Study
A. What is It?
1. "The purpose statement should provide a specific and accurate synopsis of the overall purpose of the study" (Locke, Spirduso, & Silverman, 1987, p. 5). If the purpose is not clear to the writer, it cannot be clear to the reader.
2. The purpose statement should also incorporate the rationale for the study. Some committees prefer this as a separate section, however. Check with your chair.
3. Key points to keep in mind when preparing a purpose statement.
a) Try to incorporate a sentence that begins with "The purpose of this study is . . ." This will clarify your own mind as to the purpose and it will inform the reader directly and explicitly.
b) Clearly identify and define the central concepts or ideas of the study. Some committee chairs prefer a separate section to this end. When defining terms, make a judicious choice between using descriptive or operational definitions.
c) Identify the specific method of inquiry to be used.
d) Identify the unit of analysis in the study. - http://www.emory.edu/EDUCATION/mfp/proposal.html (accessed 10/28/04)
B. What Should It Do?
1. The proposal should:
a) Present the logical need for conducting the proposed piece of research,
b) Provide an analysis of the most important past research as a context for the proposed study,
c) Specify the objectives and/or the hypotheses or research questions,
d) Outline the basic procedures to be followed. The proposal provides a statement of agreement between the student and the committee as to the minimum expected for the thesis research.
2. Enough detail should be provided so the committee can:
a) Be certain that the student is aware of the relevant prior research,
b) Detect any of the student's misconceptions, and
c) Identify potential errors in the proposed study. - http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/HNES/ms.thesis.guidelines.shtml(accessed 10/28/04)
C. What Are Other Uses:
1. It can serve as a seed bed for the title of the thesis.
2. The statement of title at this stage of thesis writing may be tentative. However, it should reflect the central purpose of the study in a brief but accurate and comprehensive manner. - http://www.sfasu.edu/graduate/thesisgd_propprep.html (accessed 10/28/04)
D. How Can It Be Understood Other Ways: Another way to look at “purpose” is to call it “objective.” The student should state clearly the central purpose of the proposed study and the specific objectives to be addressed - http://www.sfasu.edu/graduate/thesisgd_propprep.html (accessed 10/28/04)
E. Where Are Examples:
1. Keith Avent’s purpose statement from his thesis:
The purpose of this research paper is to study the integral parts of the Black church planting that contributed to the history of Brandon Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. A significant part of the research process will be to examine the motivations of Mr. A.J. Brandon to donate his property to establish a Black Church in the post Civil War era, when this kind of action was uncommon in the rural south. We [sic] will also attempt to determine the motivation for giving the property with special stipulations. (from Avent, Samuel Keith: “Church Planting in the Rural South During the Post Reconstruction Period: A Case Study of the History of the Brandon Chapel missionary Baptist Church.”, an unpublished thesis, April 2003)
2. Sherre Bishop’s purpose statement from her thesis:
The primary hindrance to addressing any theological viewpoint is the appropriate formula for presenting it in an understandable framework of reference for the believer. An attempt is made in the thesis to provide Christians and the would-be confused seeker with the tools for preventing, battling, and/or overcoming the threat of doubt and despair. In order to overcome the life events that cause loss of faith in God, we must come into a profound and personal understanding of the person of Christ. This will lead to a new level of awareness, and ultimately, provide a satisfactory measure of sustenance to carry us through life’s crises. Rather than viewing God as one who is emergent, like a parachutist or omnipotent as in a Supreme Being who hovers over us, we must see God as One who is imminent and transcendent. Finally, it is imperative that Christian leaders, servants and laity, become knowledgeable in dealing with the question, “Where is God,” as it is raised in various forms, by Christians on the brink of despair. (from Bishop, Sherre Whitney: “The Life Of The Troubled Christian: Where Is God?”, an unpublished thesis, May 2001)
3. Please Note: In each case, the entire “Purpose” segment of the papers quoted were from two to seven paragraphs long. Only the most pertinent information was actually included.
IV. Assignment- Write your purpose of study statement.
A. Post one copy on the class website
B. E-mail on copy to Dr. Martin.
C. Leave comments on the class website!
THESIS RESEARCH AND WRITING/ METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH
Lecture on Purpose of Study
I. Opening Comments
This topic is often one of the most confusing to students. On first blush, the fragrance of the information is heady and may cause heads to spin. “Is this not the same as the thesis,” students often ask. The best response is that while it may seem so at first, upon more full investigation there are marked differences.
The thesis statement is a clear declaration of what the student has formed in his or her mind. It is a stand taken. It is a proclamation of an idea which the student has crafted in order to put the reader/listener on notice. In many ways, it is a gauntlet thrown down, inviting interaction.
The Purpose Statement picks up that thesis and says, “This is what I intend to do with this new idea.” The Purpose shows how the thesis can be applied. It says that the thesis is a working concept, not something that is simply to be put on a shelf and admired. The purpose statement declares what should be accomplished by putting the thesis into action.
II. Review of Assignment
The last couple of assignments required students to craft a statement of approach or scope. Since this is not a science or mathematical study, approach may be more loosely defined than a statement of which formulas would be invoked in the area of engineering. Limiting the scope will help the student to keep the reader/listener engaged, knowing that there is a boundary to contain the information. Managing expectations is a very important part of communication and leadership. An outline will help the writer to move more smoothly along the pathway toward completion.
III. New Material on the Purpose of Study
A. What is It?
1. "The purpose statement should provide a specific and accurate synopsis of the overall purpose of the study" (Locke, Spirduso, & Silverman, 1987, p. 5). If the purpose is not clear to the writer, it cannot be clear to the reader.
2. The purpose statement should also incorporate the rationale for the study. Some committees prefer this as a separate section, however. Check with your chair.
3. Key points to keep in mind when preparing a purpose statement.
a) Try to incorporate a sentence that begins with "The purpose of this study is . . ." This will clarify your own mind as to the purpose and it will inform the reader directly and explicitly.
b) Clearly identify and define the central concepts or ideas of the study. Some committee chairs prefer a separate section to this end. When defining terms, make a judicious choice between using descriptive or operational definitions.
c) Identify the specific method of inquiry to be used.
d) Identify the unit of analysis in the study. - http://www.emory.edu/EDUCATION/mfp/proposal.html (accessed 10/28/04)
B. What Should It Do?
1. The proposal should:
a) Present the logical need for conducting the proposed piece of research,
b) Provide an analysis of the most important past research as a context for the proposed study,
c) Specify the objectives and/or the hypotheses or research questions,
d) Outline the basic procedures to be followed. The proposal provides a statement of agreement between the student and the committee as to the minimum expected for the thesis research.
2. Enough detail should be provided so the committee can:
a) Be certain that the student is aware of the relevant prior research,
b) Detect any of the student's misconceptions, and
c) Identify potential errors in the proposed study. - http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/HNES/ms.thesis.guidelines.shtml(accessed 10/28/04)
C. What Are Other Uses:
1. It can serve as a seed bed for the title of the thesis.
2. The statement of title at this stage of thesis writing may be tentative. However, it should reflect the central purpose of the study in a brief but accurate and comprehensive manner. - http://www.sfasu.edu/graduate/thesisgd_propprep.html (accessed 10/28/04)
D. How Can It Be Understood Other Ways: Another way to look at “purpose” is to call it “objective.” The student should state clearly the central purpose of the proposed study and the specific objectives to be addressed - http://www.sfasu.edu/graduate/thesisgd_propprep.html (accessed 10/28/04)
E. Where Are Examples:
1. Keith Avent’s purpose statement from his thesis:
The purpose of this research paper is to study the integral parts of the Black church planting that contributed to the history of Brandon Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. A significant part of the research process will be to examine the motivations of Mr. A.J. Brandon to donate his property to establish a Black Church in the post Civil War era, when this kind of action was uncommon in the rural south. We [sic] will also attempt to determine the motivation for giving the property with special stipulations. (from Avent, Samuel Keith: “Church Planting in the Rural South During the Post Reconstruction Period: A Case Study of the History of the Brandon Chapel missionary Baptist Church.”, an unpublished thesis, April 2003)
2. Sherre Bishop’s purpose statement from her thesis:
The primary hindrance to addressing any theological viewpoint is the appropriate formula for presenting it in an understandable framework of reference for the believer. An attempt is made in the thesis to provide Christians and the would-be confused seeker with the tools for preventing, battling, and/or overcoming the threat of doubt and despair. In order to overcome the life events that cause loss of faith in God, we must come into a profound and personal understanding of the person of Christ. This will lead to a new level of awareness, and ultimately, provide a satisfactory measure of sustenance to carry us through life’s crises. Rather than viewing God as one who is emergent, like a parachutist or omnipotent as in a Supreme Being who hovers over us, we must see God as One who is imminent and transcendent. Finally, it is imperative that Christian leaders, servants and laity, become knowledgeable in dealing with the question, “Where is God,” as it is raised in various forms, by Christians on the brink of despair. (from Bishop, Sherre Whitney: “The Life Of The Troubled Christian: Where Is God?”, an unpublished thesis, May 2001)
3. Please Note: In each case, the entire “Purpose” segment of the papers quoted were from two to seven paragraphs long. Only the most pertinent information was actually included.
IV. Assignment- Write your purpose of study statement.
A. Post one copy on the class website
B. E-mail on copy to Dr. Martin.
C. Leave comments on the class website!
posted by Doc | 9:01 PM
1 Comments:
The purpose of my research is to provide parishioners and ministers with a little more information regarding a subect matter that they may not be as knowledgeable about as they initially thought prior to discussion.
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