Purpose of Research
Purpose of Research
Write this chapter in present tense. Use double spacing, 12 point Times
New Roman or Arial font. Indent every paragraph by 5 spaces. Use level one
headings for the key sections – center, bold and title case. Write a brief
introduction to your topic. Capture your reader’s attention. Preview the headings
for the entire chapter: purpose of the research, preview of literature, preview of
Purpose of Research
Preview Literature
Identify the 2-5 key areas of your literature review. Cite the leading
Preview Methodology
Briefly describe the steps you will take to conduct the research. Cite any authors
Significance of Research
State how this research can improve education. How will it affect students,
teachers, administrators, families, and the community at large? How will it build
change?
Summary of Chapter
Definitions
List in alphabetical order all the terms in your research questions, abstract,
literature review and methodology. This is your opportunity to clarify how you will
use these terms. Check with your chair on where the definitions should go: at
Write this chapter in present tense. Write a brief introduction to your topic,
recapping the research questions. Preview the key literature review themes.
Articulate the first theme in the literature. Do not summarize the articles.
and then use the research and key authors to make a case for the theme.
Distinguish between the different research studies. Articulate how each work
supports or opposes each other. Lay out a foundation of the work that supports
and informs your research. Provide enough detail about the context and key
a theme and then use the research and key authors to make a case for the
theme. Distinguish between the different research studies. Articulate how each
work supports or opposes each other. Lay out a foundation of the work that
supports and informs your research. Provide enough detail about the context and
Articulate the third theme in the literature. Do not summarize the articles.
and then use the research and key authors to make a case for the theme.
Chapter 1-5 Thesis Outline Revised 9/11
Distinguish between the different research studies. Articulate how each work
supports or opposes each other. Lay out a foundation of the work that supports
and informs your research. Provide enough detail about the context and key
(Provide as many themes as needed. Make sure you cite all authors with
the name and date. Include the page number if you use a quotation. If you quote
Summary of Chapter
topic, recapping the research question and previewing the methodology for
conducting the research. Preview all the sections of the chapter: design,
Design
focus group interviews. Explain how this design is a good match to answer the
research questions.
Participants
Describe who will participate in the research study. Share selection criteria
Setting
Instruments
Describe and provide copies of any tools you will use to conduct the
research. For example if you are doing interviews, provide the recruitment flyer,
Procedures
Describe in detail the chronological steps you will take to conduct the
research. If you have written an IRB, pull it out as a guide for writing this section.
Analysis
Describe the theoretical lens you will use to analyze your research data
(grounded, critical, postmodern theory…). Describe what process you will use to
make sense of the data. What will you look for and why? Will you model your
Summary of Chapter
the chapter, write a paragraph recapping the problem statement and how the
research conducted addresses this problem. Preview the names of all of the
headings for this chapter. As per APA format, do not use a heading for the
Introduction.
Data Presentation
Describe the research findings within the setting, research questions and
field of education. You may organize the findings to reflect the themes in the
Data Analysis
Analyze the data and explain how you made sense of the findings. The
analysis can be a separate section or you can combine it with the data
presentation above. Consider how the reader will make sense of the data
Interpretations
Interpret the data and analysis as related to the research questions. How
do the findings relate to education practices? How can education benefit from the
Summary/Conclusion
Chapter 1-5 Thesis Outline Revised 9/11
recommendations.
Chapter 1-5 Thesis Outline Revised 9/11
This chapter is your personal reflection on the research process. You can
write this in first person. For the introduction to the chapter, write a paragraph
recapping the problem statement and how the research conducted addresses
this problem. Preview the names of all of the headings for this chapter: Summary
research directions. As per APA format, do not use a heading for the
Introduction.
Finding Summary/Interpretations
research questions. Assume that the reader did not read any of the previous
chapters. This chapter needs to stand alone to explain your work. Provide
demographics.
This can be 1-10 paragraphs long. Describe what you personally learned
what you learned? What can you recommend for best practices and educational
Limitations of Research
What are the limits of this research? What do you wish you had done
development? How can this research lead to effective instruction? How can this
research be extended?
Summary/Conclusion
Summarize the entire research - chapters 1-5. Include the key concepts of