Organization and Identifying a Research versus a Social Problem Writing Center

Organization and Identifying a
Research versus a Social
Problem
Writing Center
Amy Kubista, MALS
Walden Writing Center
Session Overview
• Importance of organization
• Importance of clearly stating your problem
• Importance of turning your social problem
into a research problem
• How it all fits together: Letting the research
problem drive the paper/section
Why Organization Matters
• The way a paper is organized is largely
the result of the logical and causal
relationships between the themes
apparent in the research. In other words,
each theme is specifically placed in the
paper so that it is the result of the previous
theme and able to contribute to the next.
This allows the reader to follow a clear,
logical train of thought.
The Funnel Concept
• The paper as a whole, each section in the
paper, and each paragraph within each
section should be organized like a funnel
or cone:
Start wide and then narrow down to a point.
What comes out of
the funnel must lead
into the next
paragraph or section
What you put in the top of the
funnel must relate to what
comes before it.
Theses and Topic Sentences
• Your paper will begin with a thesis statement
(which is an argument that is capable of
advancement), and everything in the paper
must contribute to and connect to that thesis
(advance it in some way).
• Your paragraphs will begin with topic
sentences, which are sort of like mini-thesis
statements for each paragraph. All of the
content in that paragraph must connect to the
topic sentence.
Want to Learn More About This?
• Organizing a Paper
– http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/314.htm
• Thesis Construction
– http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/405.htm
• Topic Sentences
– http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/666.htm
Driving Your Paper
• Your thesis drives your paper and gives
you the foundation for solid organization
• When conducting a study and writing your
capstone paper, you will use what is called
a problem statement, which is like a
thesis, to drive your paper and serve as
the foundation for your organization.
What is a Problem Statement?
“a clear statement demonstrating that the
focus of the study is on a significant
problem that is worthy of study”
(Dissertation Rubric, 2009, p. 4).
Social v. Research
Before you can begin any study, you
must understand the distinction between
a social problem and a research
problem
A Social Problem is:
The effects that an issue has on a specific
population. It is the issue that you see “on
the ground” so to speak. The social
problem is what has prompted you to
conduct your study. It provides the
background information to your research
problem.
A Research Problem is:
The research problem is based on a gap in the
literature or a gap in practice. It drives the rest of
the dissertation—the purpose, the questions, the
method, the significance.
Social
problem
(Intro &
Background)
Refined,
based on
gap in
literature,
into
research
problem
Purpose
Questions
that address
the purpose
Method that
answers
those
questions
The Difference?
You solve a practical problem by changing
something out there in the world, by doing
something. But before you can solve a
practical problem, you have to pose and
solve a research problem [which you
solve] not by changing anything in the
world but by learning more about
something or understanding it better
(Booth, Colomb, & Williams, 1995, pp. 5051).
Gearing up for The Big Paper
Many Walden course assignments are designed to prep
you for writing your capstone project. As you progress
through your courses you will become familiar with writing
problem statements, identifying methodology, stating the
purpose of a study, and so forth.
What is the point of all of this?
–It
will prepare you for writing the first chapter of your
dissertation or project study, which in turn:
•Sets
tone for the rest of the document
•Establishes researcher credibility
•Demonstrates scholarly voice
Process
Complete coursework and/or KAMs
Prospectus
Proposal
Dissertation/Doctoral study
The more you learn now, the easier the
last step will be!
The Point of Learning to Write
Chapter 1
Chapter/section 1 is a roadmap:
•Helps
readers understand where the
student is going with the project.
•Must
have a clear social change
implication stated (hint: this is your
research problem, which is grounded in a
social problem!).
Chapter/Section 1: Subheadings
•
•
•
•
Introduction
Problem Statement
Nature of the Study
Research Questions,
Hypotheses, and/or
Research Objectives
• Purpose of the Study
• Theoretical Base or
• Conceptual Framework
•
•
•
•
•
•
Operational Definitions
Assumptions
Limitations
Scope or Delimitations
Significance of Study
Transitional Statement
Everything Has to Connect
Background (social problem)

Problem Statement (research problem)

Questions/Hypotheses

Method

Theoretical Framework
Writing the Problem Statement
In quantitative studies, the problem
statement concisely states what will be
studied by describing at least two
variables and a conjectured relationship
between them.
In qualitative studies, the problem
statement describes the need for increased
understanding about the issue to be
studied.
Fill in the Blank
Write your problem statement by writing
what the research problem is (hint: a gap
in the literature or a gap in practice)
The problem that this study addresses is
_____________________.
Writing the Problem Statement
Try starting the next sentence with
“Although.”
The problem this study addresses is_______.
Although past research has shown A, B, C,
and D, it is unclear why or how or to what
extent E.
Make Sure the Problem Statement
“concisely states what will be studied by
describing at least two variables and a
conjectured relationship between them. In
qualitative studies the Problem Statement
describes the need for increased
understanding about the issue to be
studied” (Dissertation Rubric, 2009, p. 4).
Challenges of Chapter 1
•Writer’s
block (good resource on Writing Center
website: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/504.htm)
•Writing
in sections and making those sections flow
together
•Organizing
sections in most logical manner
Use the Template & Rubric!
Walden Writing Center’s Dissertation and
Project Study Templates:
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/57.htm
Dissertation/Project Study Rubrics:
Tutor or Editor?
• Tutors: all course work, including EDAD courses
through 8080 and DDBA courses through 8990, and for
KAM, thesis, and dissertation prospectus drafts.
KAM-based students who do not have a committee chair
(and are still working solely with a faculty mentor) should
send all work to the tutors.
• Dissertation editors: all dissertation, doctoral study,
and dissertation proposal drafts and for work in EDAD
8090, PSYC 9000, PUBH 9000, and DDBA 9000. KAMbased students who have a committee chair should send
dissertation work to the dissertation editors.
Writing Services
Writing
courses
Tutor replies with feedback and
observations about skills
Informal Services
(Blog and Twitter)
Residencies
Webinars
Website
Continue using WIRE
(paper feedback, customized
link referral)
Sentenceworks
eCampus services
Templates
Instructional
Handouts
Videos
PPT Presentations
Sample Papers
Links
Discussion Board
Chat
Materials Available
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•
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•
•
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•
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Writing courses
Residencies (presentations and advising)
Webinars (live and archived)
Website (templates, handouts, videos)
Discussion board
http://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/
Twitter (@WUWritingCenter)
Sentenceworks
Questions?