the literature search and background of the problem

The Literature Search and Background of the ProblemThe Literature Search and Background of the Problem

Research is a process of steps used to collect and Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information in order to increase our analyze information in order to increase our

understanding of a topic or issue. understanding of a topic or issue. At a general level, research consists of three steps:At a general level, research consists of three steps:

Pose a question.Pose a question.Collect data to answer the question.Collect data to answer the question.Present an answer to the question.Present an answer to the question.

Creswell (2005) p.3Creswell (2005) p.3

The Research Process: Adapted from Creswell p.51The Research Process: Adapted from Creswell p.51

Identify a research problemIdentify a research problem

Read and study the literature to learn what is known about the Read and study the literature to learn what is known about the problem. Once you have the background of the problem you problem. Once you have the background of the problem you can build a case for the need to knowcan build a case for the need to know

Specify a purposeSpecify a purpose

Determine how to conduct your researchDetermine how to conduct your research

Collect and research dataCollect and research data

Analyze and interpret the dataAnalyze and interpret the data

Report findings and conclusionsReport findings and conclusions

““What is already known”What is already known”

empirical studies, theories, models, empirical studies, theories, models,

case studies, statistical analyses, conference case studies, statistical analyses, conference proceedings, peer-reviewed journals, resource proceedings, peer-reviewed journals, resource manuals and handbooks, books, dissertations, manuals and handbooks, books, dissertations, theses, contemporary research, articles, White theses, contemporary research, articles, White

Papers, experts and new research.Papers, experts and new research.

Narrative Hook

The Background of the Problem

Problem Statement

Purpose

Definitions

Significance

Chapter OneChapter One

TitleTitle

Narrative Hook- IntroductionNarrative Hook- Introduction

““Background of the Problem” using Background of the Problem” using

your literature review to build a caseyour literature review to build a case

for the “need to know”for the “need to know”

Problem StatementProblem Statement

Narrative Statement of PurposeNarrative Statement of Purpose

DefinitionsDefinitions

SignificanceSignificance

Chapter Two: Chapter Two:

Review of the LiteratureReview of the Literature

HeadingHeading

sub-headingsub-heading



HeadingHeading





HeadingHeading



sub headingsub heading

HeadingHeading




Quantitative DesignQuantitative Design Qualitative DesignQualitative Design

Include Statistical Analyses Include Statistical Analyses Generalizability Generalizability Larger PopulationLarger PopulationDescribe trends IdentityDescribe trends Identity

specific variables and seek specific variables and seek

answers to how independent answers to how independent

variables influence dependent variables influence dependent

variablesvariablesExperimental Research:Experimental Research:

pre and post testing, control pre and post testing, control

groups, intervention studiesgroups, intervention studiesSurveySurveyCorrelation studiesCorrelation studiesCollect data that are Collect data that are

measurable, and report those measurable, and report those

data statistically using data statistically using

mathematical procedures.mathematical procedures.

Have a central theme, question Have a central theme, question phenomenon phenomenon

Explore and discoverExplore and discover Study groups and individuals, cultures, Study groups and individuals, cultures,

phenomena, historyphenomena, history Develop models or grounded theoryDevelop models or grounded theory Collect data in texts, observations, Collect data in texts, observations,

review of materials, interviews, review of materials, interviews, narratives, visualsnarratives, visuals

Look for themes and patterns, often Look for themes and patterns, often coding large amounts of text to uncover coding large amounts of text to uncover meaning.meaning.

Mixed Methods / Qualitative and Mixed Methods / Qualitative and Quantitative Mixed Design.Quantitative Mixed Design.

Use Quantitative Research If You Want To…Use Quantitative Research If You Want To…

Assess the impact of variables on an outcomeAssess the impact of variables on an outcome Measure variablesMeasure variables Gather data from large populationsGather data from large populations Want generalizability Want generalizability Test theories or broad explanationsTest theories or broad explanations Design control groups for experimenting with treatments, Design control groups for experimenting with treatments,

such as traditional lesson delivery and interactive such as traditional lesson delivery and interactive technologytechnology

Use Mixed Methods to gather data that can be reported Use Mixed Methods to gather data that can be reported statistically and support with interviews, observations, statistically and support with interviews, observations, review of documents, images or textsreview of documents, images or texts

Use Qualitative Research When You Want To…Use Qualitative Research When You Want To…

Explore and discoverExplore and discover Study long term cases of particular interestStudy long term cases of particular interest Gather large amounts of written or spoken testimony, Gather large amounts of written or spoken testimony,

images and perceptionsimages and perceptions Study small numbers of individuals or sitesStudy small numbers of individuals or sites Observe, interview, collect texts and images, review Observe, interview, collect texts and images, review

documents - as the primary sources of data collectiondocuments - as the primary sources of data collection Explore a central phenomenon within its group or cultureExplore a central phenomenon within its group or culture Conduct Mixed Methods research with a qualitative Conduct Mixed Methods research with a qualitative

focus and quantitative data to further explore, explain or focus and quantitative data to further explore, explain or discoverdiscover

Narrative Hook

Problem Statement

Purpose

Definitions

Significance


Part I

Part II

Part III

Problem

Purpose

Review of the Literature

Methodology

Narrative Hook

Problem Statement

Purpose

Definitions

Significance


Choose a Working TitleChoose a Working Title

Narrative Hook - The IntroductionElicits interest and affective responses from the reader. Invites curiosity.Motivates the reader to go onMay contain statistics that dramatize the scope of the

problemPresents 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 relatedkey terms within your problem statement..

Creswell Chapter ThreeCreswell Chapter Three

Topic

Research Problem

Concern

Issue

Needs a Solution

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?

Close-Relating Clearly…

The Need to Know

Significance of Knowing

the literature search and background of the problem

Documents