Directions

Students are required to make main posts (three to four paragraphs) that address the specific discussion by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. and peer review posts (responses to his or her classmates’ posts that are one to two paragraphs each) by 11:59 p.m. Sunday.  All posts must utilize and cite material from the unit’s course information/readings, including complete internal citations and a reference list.  The main post is worth 10 points the peer review is worth 5 points.

What are substantive postings? Substantive postings include:

• Responding to discussion questions as well as discourse between students related to subject matter within the course.  This includes posting responses to others’ answers within a Discussion Area.  A response may express agreement with or challenge to the point of view expressed, supported by references (citations) to the text or lecture.
• Contributing to the discussion based upon course content, theory, or personal experiences, not simply personal opinions.

Finally, for peer review your response to a previously posted answer must also be substantive, not a simple “I agree with you” answer.

Review the Discussion Grading Rubric located under Course Home prior to beginning.

Reading Questions (Choose One)

Q1- Discuss the importance of the purpose statement in any research, and distinguish between the purpose statement and the significance of the study, including relative to your current/actual research proposal.

Q2- What is the deficiency model of an introduction? Discuss how using this model when writing the introduction to a study or proposal may set the stage for the reader.

Q3- How does a research problem differ from both the research topic and the purpose statement? Use specific examples to support your answer.

Q4- A mixed methods purpose statement should include a rationale for combining both qualitative and quantitative data. Discuss the rationale for mixed methods and provide an example of each.