RESEARCH RESCUE LAB:
A HOLISTIC VIEW OF THE RESEARCH PAPER
Dr. Kelley Wood
School of Professional Studies
Trinity Washington University
A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
It is a process from start to finish
The topic of your inquiry leads to the discussion
Topic of
Inquiry
Literature
Survey
Research
Questions,
Problems,
Purpose,
Significance
Abstract
Introduction
Literature
Review
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
Research
Methods
Results /
Findings
Discussion
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Topic of Inquiry
– Investigate an interest in a topic related to your career
field
– This is the overarching question that motivates your
research
• Does transformational leadership in the federal government
agencies provide opportunities for advancement?
• Does social media use promote and facilitate better
workplace relationships?
• Do the economic conditions in failed states yield more
radicals interested in terrorism?
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Topic of Inquiry
– Discuss this topic of inquiry with your advisor,
program chair, and instructors!
– Watch and listen for clues that might help you
focus your topic
– Search intensively in the Trinity library
databases, your textbooks, and other reliable
resources
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Literature Survey
– Ground yourself in the scholarly fields related to this
inquiry
– The more you read and the more diverse your
readings, the better informed you will be
– This stage is very important!
• You are mastering your topic of inquiry
– Begin developing an annotated bibliography of the
material you are collecting
• Organize it into logical groupings – categories and
subcategories
• Start to organize the categories and subcategories into a
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
narrative
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Research Question(s)
• Now that you are mastering the topic of
your inquiry, you know what to investigate
more specifically
– You are narrowing your topic of inquiry
• Moving from broad issues that cannot be resolved
within the constraints of your semester
• To narrow, focused issues that you can resolve
within the constraint of your semester
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Research Question(s)
• Now that you are mastering the topic of your
inquiry, you know what to investigate more
specifically
– You might winnow out resources that are not
necessary to this narrower topic
• Not to worry, you were informed by them and they will
continue to effect your perspective of the topic of inquiry
• Set them aside where you can find them just in case!
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Research Question(s)
• This can be difficult, especially if you have not
spent enough time mastering your topic of
inquiry
– There is a direct relationship between the time spent
in gaining mastery and the relative ease of completing
this project
– The more you know, the easier this will be!
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Research Question(s)
• I recommend following along with the exercises
in:
– Booth, Colomb, & Williams (2009). The Craft of
Research. Chicago, Illinois: Chicago University Press
• Several are on reserve and in the stacks of the library on
campus!
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Abstract
• In APA style we have 150 words in which to
accomplish this task
– You must be economical, concise, and coherent
– Continue to polish this as you revise drafts of your
paper
• Use a version of the ancient philosophical art of
Syllogism
– Major point (general context)
– Minor Point (specific context)
– Conclusion (statement of the problem)
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Abstract
– 1 sentence regarding the general context of your
research topic of inquiry
– 1 sentence of specific context
– 1 sentence stating the research problem
– 1 sentence stating the method of inquiry
– 1 sentence stating the method of analysis
– 1 sentence describing the results or findings
– 1 sentence describing the conclusions,
recommendations, implications
• All in 150 to 250 words!
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Abstract – Playing it forward
– Where will you use this?
– 1 sentence regarding the general context of your
research topic of inquiry
– 1 sentence of specific context
• The Introduction chapter’s preamble (background)
section
• The Literature Review chapter’s development of the
topic’s context, which starts the chapter
– 1 sentence stating the research problem
• The Introduction chapter’s Statement of the Problem
• The Literature Review section of the context of the
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problem
Washington University SPS
A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Abstract – Playing it forward
– 1 sentence stating the method of inquiry
– 1 sentence describing the results or findings
• The Introduction chapter’s Research Methods
section
• The Literature Review chapter’s guide to Other
Research and Methods section and
• As a guide to the Research Methods chapter
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Abstract – Playing it forward
– 1 sentence stating the method of analysis
– 1 sentence describing the results or findings
• The Results or Findings chapter
– 1 sentence describing the conclusions
• The Discussion Chapter
– These two sentences in the abstract can be held until
you have completed the related chapters
– Additionally, the Abstract can become a guide to the
Summary of the Discussion chapter
• What a bonus!
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Introduction
• This is the roadmap to, or the blueprint of,
the first three chapters - the proposal
• The purpose of this chapter is to inform
your readers by outlining the proposal
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Introduction
• Begin each chapter with a preamble or preface
– This is especially important in the introduction, which provides
the background and the build up to the statement of the problem
• You will recognize this as the background section of other
publishing styles
– In all other chapters the preamble informs the reader of what lies
ahead in the chapter
• End each chapter with a summary
– Remind the readers of the highlights of this chapter before they
move on to the next.
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Introduction
• Chapter sections
• Preamble – informed by the abstract
–
–
–
–
–
Statement of the Problem – informed by the abstract
Purpose of the Study – informed by the abstract
Significance of the Study – informed by the abstract
Theoretical Perspective
Research Question(s)
• Hypotheses (if quantitative or mixed-methods)
–
–
–
–
–
–
Research Method
Ethical Considerations
Definition of Key Terms
Delimitations
Limitations
Summary
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Literature Review
– This chapter builds your argument, through logic, that
is the basis of the study
• The result of this is the Theoretical Framework or Theoretical
Construct
• You will use several forms of essay to accomplish this
– Compare and contrast, informational, descriptive, argumentative,
etcetera
– Theoretical Framework or Theoretical Construct
• This outlines the theory of your inquiry
• Thus, it informs the data collection instrument
• Mention each dependent and independent variable
(quantitative)
• Or factor (qualitative)
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Literature Review
• Review of Other Research Methods
– Used in investigating similar topics
• Theoretical Framework or Theoretical
Construct
– This is a model of the theory of your inquiry
– Describe and define the elements as they will be used in
your study
– It finishes with a figure of the model as a visual
representation
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Literature Review
– Sections of the chapter
• Review of Other Research Methods
– Used in investigating similar topics
• Theoretical Framework or Theoretical
Construct
– This is a model of the theory of your inquiry
– Describe and define the elements as they will be used in
your study
– It finishes with a figure of the model as a visual
representation
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Literature Review
– Sections of the chapter
• Theoretical Framework or Theoretical
Construct
– Use the model of the theory of your inquiry to determine
the content of the data collection instrument
– See the example in the next few slides
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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Variable
or Factor
Variable or
Factor
Theory
A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
Concept
Concept
Concept
Becomes the…
Concept
Concept
Concept
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Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
Becomes the…
Question
Question
Question
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
Factor
Question
Data Collection
Instrument
Question
Factor
Question
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Variable
or Factor
Variable or
Factor
Concept
Question
Concept
Question
Concept
Question
Concept
Question
Concept
Question
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
Data Collection
Instrument
Question
Factor
Concept
Factor
Theory
A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Research Methods
– Determine and discuss the strategy for collecting data
– Think of this as the outline of your experiment, which
tests your model (research design) and its ability to
reliably predict results
– Discuss how you will collect reliable and valid data in
a way that can be replicated
– Develop the Data Collection Instrument
• Is derived from the quantitative Theoretical Framework , or
the qualitative Theoretical Construct or Conceptual Map
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Research Methods
• Preamble – informed by the abstract and introduction
– Setting
– Population/ Data Source
– Research Design (Strategy) – informed by the
abstract and introduction
• If quantitative – also include measurements for
common tests in this section
– Data Collection Instrument Protocol
• Observation, Interview, Questionnaire, Survey
– Data Analysis Strategy
– Summary
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• The Proposal
– Written in future tense as you propose to accomplish
this research
• Sections of the Proposal
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Title Page
Abstract
Table of Contents
Introduction
Literature Review
Research Methods
Appendices
• Now you can write your IRB Application!
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• After you collect data
– Begin on the final two chapters!
– Review the data collected as you go
– Practice your data analysis strategy
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Results (Quantitative and Mixed-methods)
– Data should reflect the Theoretical Framework
• Or
• Findings (Qualitative)
– Data should reflect the Theoretical Construct
• The purpose of this chapter is simply to report
on the data you have collected
– Analysis is reporting, describing, and defining your
data
• You will use the scholarly skills of analysis
– Define, describe, compare, contrast, differentiate,
illustrate, outline, relate, separate, and deconstruct
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Results or Findings
• Sections of the Chapter
• Preamble
– Data Analysis Strategy - informed by
the research methods
– Discussion of the Sample
(Discussion of Participants if
qualitative)
• Your actual participants
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Results or Findings
• Sections of the Chapter
– Data Coding and Analysis
• Qualitative
– Discussion of the three stage coding process and
examples of your findings
– Report and present what is in your data through
descriptive and inferential analysis
• Theoretical Framework or Theoretical Construct
– Relate some of your results or findings to each
variable or factor
– Reliable, Replicable, Valid
• Summary
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Discussion
– Should address the research questions
– This is the main event
– You will use the scholarly skills of Synthesis and
Evaluation
• Synthesis - categorizes, combines, compiles, composes,
creates, devises, designs, explains, organizes, plans,
rearranges, reconstructs, relates, reorganizes
• Evaluation - appraises, compares, concludes, contrasts,
criticizes, critiques, defends, describes, discriminates,
evaluates, explains, interprets, justifies, relates, summarizes,
supports
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Discussion
– Sections of the Chapter
– Preamble
• Research Questions - from the introduction and
the results or findings
– Hypotheses (If quantitative show how the alternate or
the null were proven)
– Discussion of the results or findings in addressing the
research questions
– Present examples of data related to your questions
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Discussion
– Sections of the Chapter
• Conclusions
– What can be inferred from the data analysis completed in
the previous chapter?
– Evidence based – data analysis is your evidence
• Recommendations - informed by the delimitations
and limitations
• Implications - informed by the delimitations and
limitations
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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A Holistic View of the
Research Paper
• Discussion
– Sections of the Chapter
• Significant Learning (*Optional)
• Summary
– In this summary you will summarize the whole research
project
– Use your abstract as a guide and super size it into an
informative narrative
Dr. Kelley D. Wood Trinity
Washington University SPS
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