Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
You will analyze, evaluate, and select evidence to develop a logical, well-reasoned argument and
conclusion in an academic paper of approximately 4,0005,000 words that addresses the research
question/project goal and conveys your perspective.
You must avoid plagiarism by acknowledging, attributing, and/or citing sources throughout the paper and
by including a bibliography.
Your Academic Paper must contain the required elements described below:
Introduction: Provides background and contextualizes the research question/project goal and your initial
assumptions and/or hypotheses. Introduces and reviews previous work in the field, synthesizing
information and a range of perspectives related to the research question/project goal. Identifies the gap in
the current field of knowledge to be addressed.
Method, Process, or Approach: Explains and provides justification for the chosen method, process, or
approach.
Results, Product, or Findings: Presents the findings, evidence, results, or product.
Discussion, Analysis, and/or Evaluation: Interprets the significance of the results, product, or findings;
explores connections to original research question/project goal. Discusses the implications and limitations
of the research.
Conclusion and Future Directions: Reflects on the process and how this project could impact the field.
Discusses possible next steps.
Bibliography: Provides a complete list of sources cited and consulted in the appropriate disciplinary
style.
Now lets talk about methods
Here is some of the syllabus information from College Board that is relevant to method alignment:
EK 1.1D1: Scholars explore, explain, and create.
EK 1.4B1: Methods for data collection, analysis, innovation, and/or interpretation should be
aligned with the research question/project goal.
EK 1.4B2: Methods of inquiry may include research methods (e.g., qualitative , quantitative , or
mixed) or artistic processes (e.g., generating, conceptualizing, testing, and then refining aesthetic
approaches).
EK 1.4B3: Throughout the process of determining scope and feasibility, the scholar may, where
appropriate, adjust the course of inquiry and/or develop different tools, methods, and processes.
EK 1.4B5: Based on the research question or project goal, methods of data or information
collection may be qualitative (e.g., open-ended survey questions, interviews, observational notes,
interpretation of texts); may be quantitative (e.g., precise measurements, modeling, using structured
and validated data collection instruments and procedures); or could include a combination of both
qualitative and quantitative (mixed).
EK 1.4B6: Scholars analyze data or information in a variety of ways appropriate to the inquiry.
Primary Research
Advantages
Researcher can
focus on both
qualitative and
quantitative
issues
Addresses specific
research issues
Disadvantages
Can be very
expensive in
preparing and
carrying out the
research
Requires the
development and
execution of a
research plan
Researcher
It takes longer to
controls the
undertake
design to fit their primary research
needs
than to acquire
secondary data
Secondary Research
Advantages
Disadvantages
Somebody has
done all the
legwork for you
Establishing
credibility may be
an issue
It might not be an
exact fit for your
purpose
Quantitative
Focus is on objectivity
Explanatory
Qualitative
Focus is on interpretation
Descriptive/Exploratory
4. You will also need to be able to describe the method that you are using to collect and analyze this data.
You will need to defend why it is well-aligned for your approach and purpose. The literature review in
your paper will highlight that there is a gap in the current knowledge about your topic. The type of gap
you are identifying should help you determine which method of data collection and analysis will help you
fill that gap. You will discuss the limitations of your selected method at the end of your paper when you
are analyzing your data and filling the gap. You will also discuss how what you have found through your
research compares to the previous scholarship in the field. You can suggest the need for further research
and discuss how your research will affect the field going forward.
The next few pages have some charts that you have seen in different PowerPoints and posts, but I wanted
to include them on this handout.
Inquiry
Process
Approach
Design
Method
Case Study
research
Causalcomparative
research
Explain
Primary/
Secondary
Data
1, 2, both
Usually 1
NonQuantitative or
Experimental Mixed
both
Explore
Correlational Explore/Explain
Non-Experimental
research
NonExperimental
both
both
Descriptive Explore
research
NonQualitative
Experimental
both
Ethnographic Explore
Non-Experimental
Qualitative
Experimental Quantitative or
Mixed
Usually 1
Usually 1
Grounded
Explore/Explain
Hermeneutic
Theory
Explore
Non-Experimental
Historical
research
Explore
NonQualitative
Experimental
both
Usually 2,
sometimes
both
Usually 2,
Metaanalysis
research
Narrative
Explore/Explain
Content analysis
Experimental
research
Explain
research
Explore
research
Phenomenology
Qualitative
Qualitative
NonQualitative/
Experimental Quantitative/
Mixed
NonQualitative
sometimes
both
Usually 2
Usually 1
Experimental
Explore
Explore/Explain
Quasiexperiment
True
al
Explain
Experimental
research
NonExperimental
Qualitative
Quantitative
Non-Experimental
Qualitative
Experimental Quantitative/
Mixed
Usually 1
Usually 1
Experimental Quantitative
Usually 1