Purpose Statement Checklist

Research Theory, Design, and Methods Walden University
© 2016 Laureate Education, Inc. Page 1 of 2
Purpose Statement Checklist
Use the following criteria to 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)
Research Theory, Design, and Methods Walden University
© 2016 Laureate Education, Inc. Page 2 of 2
• Include the characteristics of a good quantitative purpose statement (as listed above)
• Indicate the specific method of collecting both quantitative and qualitative data