Cycle to Identify Problem and Purpose

Proposal Development

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CYCLE

Identifying Problem and Purpose

Identifying a topic, choosing a problem area within that topic and defining a narrow purpose for a single study ( appropriately limited in scope and scale) is an ITERATIVE PROCESS. That is, you will cycle through the following list of items several times to accomplish the task of defining the purpose of your study. This activity points up the meaning of "successive approximations" in defining and clarifying your research.

1. Identify Large Topic Area (related to problem)
2. Enlarge, determine what is attached. Make a Conceptual Map identifying related topics.
3. What part do I wish to explore Now?
4. Identify Problem Area. (Fence off place in Conceptual Map)
5. What part is most Important?
6. Identify 'Real' Problem Area.
7. What is most important and Possible relative to scope and scale for Immediate exploration?
8. Identify Purpose Area.
9. What Question most interests me about the purpose area that meets the requirements of #7?
10. What Method will best assist me in answering #9?
11. What areas remain attached? Construct Refined Conceptual Map.
12. Test for scope, scale, time available for execution, etc. Is it Possible? If it is, you can write a good two sentence brief purpose statement, and begin your search for significant and collateral literature.
13. If yes = Source of Literature Review, begin looking at literature for further refinement.
If no, Recycle from

#1 forward
#4 forward
#7 forward

Depending on Need to reduce scope, scale, time of execution, etc.

Keep a file of Significant Literature and Collateral Literature.
In each category record full reference in proper format with a brief description of the reference.
Those identified as Significant Literature, i.e. will definitely be used in your study, should have an additional category which identifies their Value to Your Specific Study. Those identified as Collateral or Related literature should be include a category called Evaluation for purposes of this study. It should evaluate in what areas related to your specific study this piece of literature is Valuable, of Some Value, or of Little Value. This can be included in your database of literature review sources.

SIGNIFICANT LITERATURE COLLATERAL LITERATURE

1. Full Reference 1. Full Reference

2. Description 2. Description

3. Value to this Study 3. Evaluation

Valuable

Some Value

Little Value

Files may be kept in databases, notebooks, charts or other formats as you desire.

Resources

Dr. Beverly Jones <bjones@darkwing.uoregon.edu

SIGNIFICANT LITERATURE	COLLATERAL LITERATURE
1. Full Reference	1. Full Reference
2. Description	2. Description
3. Value to this Study	3. Evaluation
Valuable
Some Value
Little Value