"When you write, you lay out a line of words. The line of words is a minter's pick, a woodcarver's gouge, a surgeon's probe. You wield it, and it digs a path you follow. Soon you find yourself deep in new territory. Is it a dead end, or have you located the real subject? You will know tomorrow, or this time next year." -Dillard in The Writing Life

Week Three PW3 - Articulate the problem, purpose of study and research question(s)

Rationale - There is a logic that exists between the problem, purpose of the study, research question(s) and methods that lays the foundation for your study. This logic keeps you on track and gives cogency to your final paper. This week we will be working on components of the typical first chapter of the dissertation proposal.

**Required Readings and Activities

**A. Reading: Hart, Chap 4 OR Galvan 3; Creswell, Chap 4,5

B. Web and Other Links:

Introduction to Research Writing Colorado State
"The Holy Grail - In pursuit of the dissertation proposal" - Michael Watts
What is a dissertation proposal? Bobbi's place

C. Experiences/Activities:

** Evaluate several problem-purpose-question-methods statements for their logic of justification. Can you follow the logic?
** Email your problem-purpose-question-methods statement to your partner. Download your partner's problem-purpose-question-methods statement and give them feedback on the cogency of their work. Does it hang together logically?
** If your dissertation chair has not seen a succinct statement of problem-purpose-question
-methods, share with them this week. What you are doing is establishing some parameters of how you will work together. Do they work best with email attachments? with Word or Word Perfect? Will they want you to deliver a hard copy? How much time do they want before giving you feedback? How will they give you feedback? a telephone call, an emial or a face-to-face appointment? It's important to figure these kinds of things out early!

D. Discussion Starters/Reflective Journal Topics: (Choose one topic and start or continue a discussion thread.)

1) Discuss several problem-purpose-question-methods statements. What makes it difficult to write such statments?

2) How are purpose statements different and similiar in quantiative and qualitative studies?