Developing Effective Research Paper: Plan, Approach And Research Questions

Why is it important to think about the research approach you plan on using for your papers? Most students just default to what they have always done. But what they have always done is typically only one of many different approaches. Does the approach a person takes to research affect the conclusions? Does the type of research question drive the approach to research? Please take a position and defend it.

As always, you need your main posting plus at least two interactive postings with other students. Don't forget to be thoughtful, fact-packed and well-reasoned. Steer clear of postings that say, "I agree with you" or simply restate what someone else has said. Add value!

The Importance of Planning Before Embarking on Research

It is absolutely necessary for a student or researcher to have a well thought-out plan of the research before embarking on it. This ensures one gathers all the relevant information needed for the paper. To develop a term paper that adequately responds to the requirements of the research, one must take a break from their usual research methods (Nolan, 2015, p. 478). Sticking to the same research methods could set you up for failure because every term paper is unique and has specific requirements that must be met.

The outcome of any research paper can only be as good as the approach taken by the researcher. Similarly, the conclusions drawn at the end of a paper derive directly from the approach used in putting together the paper. Once one settles on the right approach they can know what sources to find their data from; e.g. if one intends to use anecdotal evidence to demonstrate variation in trends over time, they would need to adopt a historical approach in handling the paper (Brown, 2018, p. 45).  Also, a student may approach a term paper by relying on multiple sources. Another may approach the same paper by relying on a limited number of sources. The former is likely to gather more pertinent information which will be richer in terms of variety and scope.  To respond in adequate depth to a research paper, one needs to use an approach that is both diverse in scope and deep in terms of content. It is only then that one can make meaningful conclusions and recommendations at the end of the paper. If the approach to the paper is narrow, the information gathered is likely to be limited and it would naturally follow that the conclusions would be insufficient as well.

The research questions define what is to be studied in the paper as well as the strategy to be employed in the study. The manner in which the research questions or hypotheses are formulated dictates the path that is taken in answering the questions and/or the strategy used to verify or falsify the hypotheses (MacArthur et al., 2015, p.860). Indirectly the research questions define the research objectives and as such a deep insight of the domain of study is required in order to develop precise research questions. The questions that are to be answered by the research paper must be relevant to the domain of the research and they must be those that are most worthy to be investigated. The partial research questions help to narrow down the aspects of the main research question. The research questions can very well be said to be the determining factors in deciding the approach to be used in research.

Choosing the Right Approach to Ensure Success

Conclusion

As it emerges from this paper, it is needful that one plans before commencing to work on a research paper. The fact that every term paper is unique in terms of the information required means that one cannot rely on the same research methods every time. The approach taken must be different every time one handles a new term paper. The formulation of relevant research questions is central to the success of the study too. This is what drives the research approach and determines the conclusions one makes at the end of the paper.

Other Students Forum Posting

Learning about the differences between Qualitative and Quantitative research, and the various methods associated with each has been enlightening.  I learned something new that I will be able to use in my normal work and that is great.  I also think the paper by Clauser J. (2007) on Descriptive and Predictive Analysis was also interesting.  I have used those methodologies in my paying job but never fully understood the major differences between the methods of analysis.

It is important to understand the different approaches to research to ensure that the method used is the right fit for answering the question or hypothesis.  What I found is that there might not be an absolute right fit for the specific question or subject and that maybe a little bit of various approaches can be the better fit (Devault, 2018).  The approach does affect the conclusion based on how the data is collected and the source for the data. 

I can utilize the Quantitative Research approach and attempt to gather statistical data on the numbers of detainments and the disposition of those detained, but this will only provide a partial answer.  This is a deductive method of research and uses a cause and effect approach (Clauser & Goldman, 2010).

I can utilize the Qualitative Research approach and attempt to gather historical data and documents that relate to the detainment of undocumented immigrants. This inductive approach would also require more indepth research methods of data gathering to support a conclusion, such as interviews with detained people and specific observations of the process (Clauser & Goldman, 2010).  This approach will likely provide a tainted perspective of the process and is not all based in facts and statistical data.

The type of research question or hypothesis does drive the selected approach to a certain extent.  If the hypothesis is seeking a purely number driven answer then a quantitative approach is more suited to that research.

The Role of Research Questions

There is also over a dozen methodologies under the descriptive and predictive research models to utilize in analyzing data gathered under the research approaches.  The methods that I think would be helpful include analogy, regression and correlation, and trend analysis (Clauser J., 2007).

Which research approach is the best fit for my hypothesis? The hypothesis for my research paper is:

HO: Local governments are passing local laws or ordinances that create Sanctuary cities in response to federal immigration policies and laws that are believed to target immigrants living in their communities.

HA: Local elected officials have perceived that federal immigration policies and laws are unjustly targeting undocumented immigrants in their communities for arrest and deportation without due process of law. 

I believe that the deductive ‘cause and effect’ approach to Quantitative Research coupled with the regressive and correlation methodology and some trend analysis can gather enough facts to support or dismiss the HO and HA and allow a final conclusion to be built around the supporting information.

This week’s forum was very interesting to me.  I have spent the entirety of my adult life working in the military and law enforcement realm of analysis and report development and apparently have only used two or three variations of research methods during the past 30 years.  It’s not that I am resistive to change, but rather I tend to follow the path of least resistance, and change can be viewed as disruptive to normal and established processes.  I have routinely used the quantitative research approach with analogy, regressive and correlation, and trend analysis in my work as a deployment planner, but never knew it. 

Other Students Forum Posting

There are two different research approaches that have been said to be if the most popular approaches. Quantitative research which uses statistics as a form of data analysis. Quantitative research is said to be unbiased because is “based solely on analysis of the data and how the analytical program is set up to measure and interpret it” (Clauser 2010, 106-128). With advantages comes disadvantages. One being that the quantitative approach “requires significant data to achieve a result that can generate conclusions about the world” (Clauser 2010, 106-128). This particular way to research can become unreliable if there is any change to the original method of testing. This has been the only type of source of information I have stayed away from in my research because I have not been trained on how to interpret the information given. I have seen many journal article articles that have produced graphs for the information in these tests, but have not took the time to try to understand them.

Different Research Approaches: Qualitative and Quantitative

Qualitative research, or the examination method has been the information I have tried to stick with for my research papers because it lacks the complex graphs and other data that professionals and people who are tasked to look into that type of data on a regular basis. Qualitative research is good for an observation of adolescence who suffer from social-behavioral issues. These particular individuals fall right under the category of observing behavior patterns and relationships with their peers (Clauser 2010, 106-128).

Why is it important to think about the research approach you plan on using for your papers? Our first task this week is to think about your approach to your research papers. This is important because without having the plan set out, you could end up with a paper that could be at risk for plagiarism or a paper with not much contribution to the topic. The purpose is to research a topic based on a hypothesis that you created in hopes of getting that research question answered within the paper. Thinking about your approach ahead of time helps to put together a solid paper will credible sources that you clearly understand.

Most students just default to what they have always done. But what they have always done is typically only one of many different approaches. I believe that with the given circumstances of having a full-time job outside of school, my old method of gathering my sources of information early, then reading through them, it will make for an easy to write paper. Now that we have more ways to understand research approaches with inductive and deductive reasoning, quantitative and qualitative approaches, I believe that it gives a different strategy of attacking research.

 Does the approach a person takes to research affect the conclusions? This has been the first time I have been introduced to inductive and deductive reasoning. I would have never known that Quantitative research compares to deductive reasoning and Qualitative research compares to inductive reasoning. Knowing this will help to understand better at researching your topic. I do feel that using one method over the other will produce different results. Only because the qualitative research approach does not require a hypothesis to begin your research.

Does the type of research question drive the approach to research? I personally feel that the type of research question that you chose to answer in your research has a somewhat big effect on your drive toward the research. Depending on what questions you want answered, the different approach to research will prove to be more beneficial to your search. I believe strongly in qualitative approaches to writing because I find myself to be a very observant person and make most of my decisions off well drawn out observations. Using statistics as a means to base a decision has never been one that I found to be very accurate.  

The Impact of Research Approach on Conclusions

Other Students Forum Posting

Why is it important to think about the research approach you plan on using for your papers?

It is my personal belief based on my past experiences to plan out how you intend to approach your research paper. From obtaining scholarly information to better support your argument to proper citations to avoid any suspicion of plagiarism. As I gain a greater knowledge of research methods, I attempt different approaches to support my thesis and choose the best argument for my assignment. Additionally, I tend to utilize supporting articles, journals, novels or even peer review documents with possible solutions to mitigate what I am debating. Once that is determined, I attempt to compose a fair balance between quantity and quality. Represented by the quality of the information within the quantity of the articles I chose. This would in turn allow me to gain a greater insight of why I selected the topic and provide the framework to the dispute. This I believe, would create a solid foundation for my assignment.

Most students just default to what they have always done. But what they have always done is typically only one of many different approaches.

At the beginning of this semester, I have to admit I found myself falling back into what I know best when conducting research, seeing how it was a comfort zone for me. I kept an open mind and worked really hard to learn stronger approaches such as narrowing down my searches in the APUS Library or which articles are relevant to my research. This is why I do believe it will contribute to a person deciding on the approach for their assignment ultimately composing their conclusion and whether their argument is strong enough to support their paper.

Does the type of research question drive the approach to research? Please take a position and defend it.

Prior to beginning my examination, I asked myself some questions to assist me with understanding whether or not the research question will determine the approach of my research. Questions such as, “is there a significant amount of knowledge already available regarding the subject that allows me to make a prediction about the results of the study before I begin?” If I find this to be true, then this will allow for me to have an effective hypothesis. If I find that the research is more examining and investigative in nature I will approach the question of, “Will this require me to collect additional data and analyze results before drawing any conclusions?” Therefore, my research topic will be developing a research question. Ideally understanding the differences and choosing the correct approach will drive the rest of your research project.

The same thought process can be observed in the approaches of homeland security. Laws are implemented and security is provided with the intention of protecting the citizens of this nation. Traditionally, we have learned from our past experiences which in turn provides insight on what should be implemented to avoid future occurrences. With composing an assignment, extensive research should be applied to maximize the results of your investigation and contribute to making it noteworthy.

Other Students Forum Posting

Why is it important to think about the research approach you plan on using for your papers? Most students just default to what they have always done. But what they have always done is typically only one of many different approaches. Does the approach a person takes to research affect the conclusions? Does the type of research question drive the approach to research? Please take a position and defend it. 

Depending on the topic of choice is going to affect the way in which we chose to do our research on that topic. Once we have chosen our research topic we next have to make the decision by which is the best way to go about researching that topic. The type of approach that we use is going to dramatically effect the quality of the information that we are trying to research and put out to our readers. We also have to think about the way that the readers are going to interpret our data and bring them to the same conclusion that we have about our topic.  My topic involves how the department of homeland security works together with the communications sector to assist protect the United States in the event of a disaster. 

There are several different research methods that one can use to help explain this to readers but the best one might be the Qualitative Research Approach. This type of research is fact based and those facts for the most part come from documents. Working with such a big topic like this we need to be sure that everything we are putting out to our readers is only fact based. What else I like about this type of research is that it also uses case studies. Case studies are great in the research and examination of what the the department of defense does for us in the event of a disaster by going back in time to exam what they done and the past. We can look back at what did not work for them before and make a hypothesis on what adjustments they are going to make in the future. 

To me when writing my paper I want to focus the most on the historical data that can be used to show what the department of homeland security has done for our country in the past and from there move on to how they have approved their approaches. This also means that we are going to be following along with the inductive approach and this requires that we have more indepth research approaches to support our conclusion. We need to give as many facts as possibly to support our theory so that way the readers does not have much room to move their own thoughts to the left or the right. All research methods have a purpose for why they are better for helping to find the conclusion but we have to the method that is going to make our research the best.