Problem And Purpose Template

University of Phoenix Material

Problem and Purpose Statement Templates

Templates for Purpose Statements

Below are the criteria from the checklist that show the parts required in the problem statement. Samples of a qualitative, quantitative, and mixed study problem statement are provided as examples.

|Problem Statement |
|1. General problem identifying need for study: The problem is ______ |
|2. Specific problem proposed for research: 3 out of 5 chief executive officers are overweight and at risk for heart attack |
|3. Introductory words describing methodological approach given and appropriate to the specific problem; “This qualitative or quantitative case |
|study will explore or examine…”
|
|4. General population group identified: Chief executive officers from Fortune 500 organizations will be surveyed to determine ….. |

Qualitative Problem Statement

African American females remain drastically underrepresented in community college president positions (problem), despite the increase of African American community college presidents over the last ten years (Phelps & Taber, 1997).
Only 5% of 1,220 community colleges (specific problem: encourage numbers, as that helps illustrate specific problem) have African American presidents (Phelps & Taber, 1997). African American women occupy a small percentage of Phelps’ figure of 5%.

This qualitative case study (study type) will describe personal and professional perceptions experienced by 20 African American women who have achieved the role as a United States community college president. (population) The data will provide leaders information related to leadership development, mentoring, and accession strategies for African American females interested in community college presidential roles.

Quantitative Problem
Statement

Department of the Army civilian managers and supervisors, who hold leadership positions, are perceived as not having the same leadership training and competencies as their military counterparts (problem) (Viall, 2003). A study conducted by the Army Chief of Staff reported, “There is no well developed and executed, integrated, systemic approach for civilian leader development for the Army” (Viall, 2003). The Department of the Army, however, does have equal and required civilian and officer institutional leadership training, education, and development policies in place (specific problem) (Army, 1999, para. 1-6-3). These policies are outlined and explained in United States Army Training and Doctrine Command Regulation 351-10, and implemented for use by civilians through the Army Civilian Training, Education and Development System. The system was implemented to provide a sequential, progressive leadership development plan that provides civilians with a career leadership-learning path equal to leadership training provided in the Officer Education System (Army, 1999, p. 22).

This quantitative study (methodological approach) will utilize quantifiable and qualifiable research methods to compare the leadership training, education, and development regulations and programs of United States Army officers to that of civilians in a large federal laboratory located in the southeastern United States, (population being studied) to determine why civilians are perceived as not having the same leadership competencies as military counterparts.

Mixed Methods Problem Statement

Virtual employees are becoming more prevalent in business environments. There are approximately 24 million virtual workers in the U.S., representing 18% of the total workforce (The Dieringer Research Group, 2004), up from 19 million in 1999 (Pratt, 1999). By 2010, there may be over 40 million virtual workers in the U.S. (Jala International, Inc., 2004). In 2001, 51% of North American companies had virtual employee programs (Wiesenfeld, 2001). In some areas, the use of virtual employees and teams “has outpaced our understanding of the dynamics and unique characteristics” (Pauleen & Young, 2002, p. 205). (general problem) Whereas virtual environments require the same basic management and leadership responsibilities, they may encumber managers when conducting individual performance feedback and employee developmental activities (Bell & Kozlowski, 2002). (specific problem) This mixed method study (type of study) will use a modification of Morrill’s (1997) Likert-type instrument with several open-ended questions to explore the patterns of perceived feedback effectiveness and best practices for communicating feedback to virtual employees. The study will electronically survey all employees in _____ division, who have been in their position for at least one year and are located throughout the continental U.S. (geographic location) to describe the degree of correlation between the virtualness of the employee and the perceived level of performance feedback, developmental feedback, trust, and leaders member exchange. The survey will collect data to identify best practices for communicating performance and developmental feedback to virtual employees.
Templates for Purpose Statements

Below are the criteria of a purpose statement taken from the checklist.

|Purpose Average of ¾ page |
|1. Research method identified as qualitative, quantitative, or mixed study |
|2. Research method appropriate to proposed study |
|3. Research design clearly stated. |
|4. Research design appropriate to research method |
|5. Research concepts for qualitative research, variables for quantitative research, or both for mixed methods research briefly discussed |
|For quantitative research method: Must identify distinct variables being studied |
|For qualitative research method: Must discuss what concepts being studied |
|6. Specific population group identified |
|7. Geographic location identified |

Sample Template for a Qualitative Study

The purpose of this qualitative ______________(case study, ethnography) is to _________ (describe, explore) _______________________(phenomenon being studied) for _______ (participants) at _________________(geographical location). At this stage, the _______________________(central phenomenon being studied) will be defined as ___________ (provide a general definition).

Sample Template for a Quantitative Study

The purpose of this quantitative ___________ (correlational) research is to_____ (compare or see to what degree a relationship exists) between/among ______________________(independent variable ) to ___________________(dependent variable) for ________________ (participants) at ___________________(geographical location). The independent variable ________ will be defined/measured as/by_______(provide a general definition). The dependent variable will be defined/measured as/by ______ (provide a general definition).

Sample Template for a Mixed Method Study

The purpose of this mixed methods study is to explore participant views with the intent of to developing and testing an instrument with a population sample. The first phase is a qualitative exploration of _______________ (central phenomenon) by collecting _____ (data) from _____ (participants) at __________ (geographical location). The second phase will use a quantitative research method. Themes from this data will be developed into an instrument (or an ______ instrument will be used) to (compare) ________ (the independent variable) with _________(dependent variable) for _________ sample of population) at __________ (geographical location).