Purpose Statement Checklist
Use the following criteria to evaluate an author's purpose statement.
Look for indications of the following:
- Does the statement begin with signaling words?
- Does the statement identify the research approach (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed)?
- Does the statement clearly state the intent of the study?
- Does the statement mention the participants?
- Does the statement mention the research site?
- Is the statement framed in a way that is consistent with the identified problem?
If the study is qualitative, does the purpose statement do as follows?
- Focus on a single phenomenon
- Use an action verb to convey how learning will take place
- Use neutral, nondirectional language
- Provide a general definition of the central phenomenon
If the study is quantitative, does the purpose statement do as follows?
- Identify the variables under study
- Provide a general definition of each key variable
- Use words that connect the variables
- Identify a theory
If the study is mixed methods, does the purpose statement do as follows?
- Discuss the reason(s) for mixing both quantitative and qualitative data
- Include the characteristics of a good qualitative purpose statement (as listed above)
- Include the characteristics of a good quantitative purpose statement (as listed above)
- Indicate the specific method of collecting both quantitative and qualitative data
Analyze alignment among the theory, research problem, and purpose Explain your position on the relationship between research and social change.
Article: Wilhelmy, A., Kleinmann, M., König, C. J., Melchers, K. G., & Truxillo, D. M. (2016).
How and why do interviewers try to make impressions on applicants?
A qualitative study. Journal of Applied Psychology, 101(3), 313-332.