Assignment:
Research Article
Associations between Gun Violence Ex posure, GangAsso ciations, and Youth A ggression: Implications forPrevention and Intervention Programsby Myriam Forster, Timothy J. Grigsby, Jennifer B. Unger, and Steve Sussman
Purpose Statement Checklist
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)
Discussion:
Q: Provide a critique of the research study in which you: (1) assess the purpose statement using the purpose statement checklist as a guide; (2) examine the alignment among the theory, research problem, and purpose; and (3) describe your position on the relationship between research and social change.