Qualitative Purpose Statements: Elements Of Success

what elements constitute a good qualitative purpose statement

A purpose statement is a concise paragraph that describes the intent of a project or study, and it should flow directly from the problem statement. A good qualitative purpose statement should aim to explore and understand the core research phenomenon. It should also be clear, effective, and meet the FINER criteria (Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, and Relevant). The statement should be open-ended and use verbs such as 'explore', 'understand', 'narrate', 'discover', or 'develop'. For example, a qualitative purpose statement addressing low well-being among financial sector employees might aim to explore and understand the lived experiences related to the well-being of the followers of novice mid-level managers in the financial services industry.

Characteristics Values
Concise A clear and concise paragraph that describes the intent of the project or study
Aligned with the problem Addresses a gap, a problem, and a chosen research method
Specificity of methodology Qualitative, quantitative, or mixed
Direction The goal of the study and what it will accomplish
Scope The direction and scope of the study
Data sources Where the data will come from
Clarity Meets FINER criteria: feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant
Focus Well-defined focus
Complexity Complexity of the study
Novelty Novelty of the study
Feasibility Feasibility of the study
Measurability Measurability of the study

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The purpose statement should align with the problem statement

The purpose statement is a concise paragraph that describes the intent of the project or study. It should flow directly from the problem statement, specifically addressing the reason for conducting the project or study and reflecting the stated questions. A good purpose statement should also identify the methodology as qualitative, quantitative, or mixed.

In a qualitative study, the purpose statement might start with an open-ended research verb such as "explore" or "understand". For example, "The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore and understand the lived experiences related to the well-being of the followers of novice mid-level managers in the financial services industry." This statement addresses the problem of declining levels of employee well-being and aims to understand the underlying factors contributing to this issue.

In contrast, a quantitative purpose statement might use a closed-ended research verb such as "determine" or "measure". An example of this is, "The purpose of this quantitative study is to determine the factors that predict employee well-being among followers of novice mid-level managers in the financial services industry." Here, the problem statement could be the need to identify specific factors affecting employee well-being to implement targeted interventions.

It's important to note that the choice between a qualitative and quantitative approach depends on the nature of the research question and the desired outcomes. The researcher's personal preferences and the specific gap they intend to address also influence the design of the study.

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It should clearly state the type of project or study

A purpose statement is a concise paragraph that describes the intent of the project or study. It should be accurate and precise, and it should flow directly from the problem statement. The purpose statement should specifically address the reason for conducting the project or study and reflect the stated questions.

When writing a purpose statement, it is important to clearly state the type of project or study being undertaken. This includes specifying whether the research is qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative research involves exploring and understanding the core research phenomenon, whereas quantitative research incorporates operationalized concepts or variables that reflect how the researcher intends to measure the key concepts under study.

For example, a qualitative purpose statement might aim to explore and understand the lived experiences related to a specific issue, whereas a quantitative purpose statement might seek to determine or measure specific factors related to that issue. The research verb chosen should match the chosen method. Qualitative studies tend to use "open-ended" verbs such as "explore," "understand," and "discover," whereas quantitative studies typically use "closed-ended" verbs such as "determine," "measure," and "compare."

In addition to stating the type of research, the purpose statement should also provide brief information about the direction, scope, and data sources of the project or study. This helps to set the stage and provide context for the research being undertaken. By clearly stating the type of project or study, the purpose statement ensures that the research objectives are well-defined and aligned with the chosen methodology.

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The purpose statement should be concise

A purpose statement is a concise paragraph that describes the intent of a project or study. It should be clear and direct, setting out the "what" and "why" of the research. The purpose statement should flow from the problem statement, specifically addressing the reason for conducting the project or study and reflecting the stated questions. It should also identify the methodology as qualitative, quantitative, or mixed.

For a qualitative purpose statement, the research verb should be open-ended, such as "explore", "understand", "narrate", "discover", or "develop". For instance, consider the following purpose statement: "In response to declining levels of employee well-being, the purpose of the qualitative phenomenology was to explore and understand the lived experiences related to the well-being of the followers of novice mid-level managers in the financial services industry." This statement addresses a specific problem and aims to understand the core research phenomenon.

The qualitative purpose statement is not about translating concepts under study as variables but instead focuses on exploring and understanding the phenomenon under investigation. It is important to note that the purpose statement should be concise and clear, providing a precise overview of the research intent. This helps to ensure that the research remains focused and ethical, with clear objectives that guide the design and outcome of the study.

While it is essential to keep the purpose statement concise, it should also include brief information about the direction, scope, and data sources. For example, in the previous example of exploring implicit biases, the researcher might observe board meetings and hiring interviews to gather data. Thus, the purpose statement should provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of the research intent, methodology, and data sources.

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It should include the research method at the beginning

A purpose statement is a concise paragraph that describes the intent of a project or study. It should specifically address the reason for conducting the project or study and reflect the stated questions. It is important to distinguish the differences between a problem statement and a purpose statement. While the problem statement is why you are doing the project, the purpose statement is what type of project or study you are doing to fit or address the problem.

The purpose statement should also include the research method at the beginning. For instance, a qualitative purpose statement might start with "The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore and understand.... On the other hand, a quantitative purpose statement might begin with "The purpose of this quantitative study is to determine...".

Qualitative research involves "open-ended" research verbs such as "explore", "understand", "narrate", "discover", or "develop". It aims to explore and understand the core research phenomenon rather than translating the concepts under study as variables. For example, a qualitative purpose statement might be: "In response to declining levels of employee well-being, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenology is to explore and understand the lived experiences related to the well-being of the followers of novice mid-level managers in the financial services industry".

In contrast, quantitative studies involve "closed-ended" research verbs such as "determine", "measure", "correlate", "explain", "compare", "validate", "identify", or "examine". Quantitative research incorporates operationalized concepts or variables that reflect how the researcher intends to measure the key concepts under study. For instance, a quantitative purpose statement could be: "The purpose of this quantitative correlational study is to determine which leadership factors predict employee well-being among the followers of novice mid-level managers in the financial services industry".

By including the research method at the beginning of the purpose statement, the statement sets the tone and provides clarity for the rest of the document. This allows readers to understand the approach and objectives of the study from the outset.

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The purpose statement should be open-ended

When writing a qualitative purpose statement, it is important to keep an open mind and not advocate for a particular outcome. The purpose statement should be open-ended and exploratory, aiming to understand the core research phenomenon rather than translating concepts into variables.

Qualitative studies involve "open-ended" research verbs such as "explore", "understand", "narrate", "discover", or "develop". For example, a qualitative purpose statement might start with: "The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore and understand the lived experiences related to the well-being of employees in the financial services industry".

The purpose statement should flow directly from the problem statement, addressing the reason for conducting the study and reflecting the research questions. It should provide a brief overview of the methodology, data collection methods, instruments, subjects, and locations. However, it should not be too specific, as the specific details may evolve as the research progresses.

Creswell (2002) suggested that qualitative purpose statements include deliberate phrasing to alert the reader, using non-directional language that does not suggest an outcome. The purpose statement should focus on a single idea or concept, with a broad definition, and explain how the concept will be investigated. It is important to keep in mind that the writing process is iterative, and clarity will be refined over time as you gain a greater understanding of the literature in your field.

Frequently asked questions

A qualitative purpose statement is a concise paragraph that outlines the intent of a research project or study. It should address the reason for conducting the research and reflect the research questions. The statement should also specify the methodology as qualitative, using "open-ended" verbs such as “explore,” “understand,” and "discover."

A good qualitative purpose statement should include the following elements:

- A clear and precise statement of the research goal and what it aims to accomplish.

- Brief information about the direction, scope, and data sources.

- Alignment with the research problem and the identified gap in the literature.

- The chosen qualitative research method, such as ethnography or phenomenology.

- "Open-ended" research verbs that match the qualitative approach, like "explore," "understand," or "develop."

- Feasibility, clarity, specificity, objectivity, and potential impact of the study (FINER criteria).

A quantitative purpose statement incorporates operationalized concepts or variables that reflect how the researcher intends to measure the key concepts. In contrast, a qualitative purpose statement focuses on exploring and understanding the core research phenomenon rather than translating concepts into variables. Qualitative research often involves observing and interpreting lived experiences or complex phenomena.

Here is an example of a qualitative purpose statement:

"In response to declining levels of employee well-being in the financial services industry, this qualitative phenomenological study aims to explore and understand the lived experiences related to the well-being of employees who are followers of novice mid-level managers. By applying a combined framework of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory and the employee well-being concept, we will analyze and interpret the research findings to address this issue."

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