Presenting Justification of a Research Question and Research Approach

Length: 3000 words
An essay presenting justification of a research question and research approach
An essay. Write in full sentences and well-structured paragraphs; no lists or tables please. A well-structured paragraph usually has a first sentence that introduces the point you are making, body sentences that give the 'evidence' for the point being made and a concluding sentence clarifying that point. The essay should have an overall argument (ie a thesis) which is introduced in the Introduction, developed through each paragraph in the body of the essay and logically presented with a recommendation in the Conclusion. You are also expected to use the 4 headings of the 4 sections detailed below. 
Introduction (approx. 450 words) The Introduction outlines the research topic; it should be a rewritten/refined version of the topic development sections of previous assignments. The introduction includes the quantitative research question What is the efficiency rate of educational adverts placed in hospital brochures on reducing the number of smokers? and the qualitative question, In a patient, with a history of smoking, admitted with a cardiac episode, what educational strategy is best to promote smoking cessation at six months following discharge from the acute care setting?; it should end in the essay’s thesis statement. The thesis statement is a single sentence that informs the reader about what we are arguing in this essay. The thesis statement might take the form: “In this essay I argue that this research problem is best addressed with the question XXX using the XXX paradigm” (OR eg, XXX design, XXX method, XXX approach...]. (The question I want PRESENT AS the best question is the qualitative question, In a patient, with a history of smoking, admitted with a cardiac episode, what educational strategy is best to promote smoking cessation at six months following discharge from the acute care setting?)
Justification relative to other research (approx. 750 words) This section requires a critical discussion of the most relevant, most current research on THE topic. The focus here is on the discussion element of a literature review, you will not be presenting an individual critique of each of the relevant articles although you will draw from such a critique. Furthermore, the section is not the same as a full critical literature review because you are undertaking the discussion relative to your two different research questions. When drafting the section you should refer to your search strategy and the table of relevant research. First, you use your systematic search to argue that neither of your research questions have already been investigated in the way you intend. Very briefly outline your search strategy (including databases) and the number of relevant articles found (no tables please). Next, you use the most relevant articles to show how your research questions relate to existing research; also show how your questions are potentially useful for researching your problem. Depending on your topic and the research literature, your discussion will also argue that one of your research questions is superior to the other (-In a patient, with a history of smoking, admitted with a cardiac episode, what educational strategy is best to promote smoking cessation at six months following discharge from the acute care setting?-)Your justification of this argument should be through critique of the existing research relative to your research problem and questions rather than on methodology which is covered in the next section. Consider critiquing, for example, how well the existing research has addressed the particular combination of key terms that make up your problem statement and/or one or both of your research questions.
Justification of chosen approach (approx. 1350 words) The focus of this section is the critical discussion of two research approaches in order to justify your final chosen approach. Your justification of this final chosen approach will also help justify your chosen research question as each question is focused on either qualitative or quantitative methods. 
To begin this section write a single paragraph introducing the two approaches for each of your questions. You should then separately describe the methodological framework for each question; note that at this point you are just describing, not comparing. Preferably you will specify paradigm, methodology and design; it is not sufficient just to say that the methodology is ‘qualitative’ or ‘quantitative’. Specifically, you should describe: the main assumptions of the paradigm and/or methodology; the research design including sampling and recruitment, data collection methods and methods of analysis/interpretation. Once you have described the methodological framework relevant to each question type, you should critically compare your two approaches in the context of your research problem. You will begin the comparative process by discussing the two overall approaches (i.e. paradigms and methodologies) with regard to your research problem and how the problem is expressed quantitatively and qualitatively in each of your two research questions. You should also compare each aspect of the research design (i.e. methods, recruitment) while referring to issues particular to your project plan. Issues you should specifically discuss are: site selection and access; gatekeeper and participant/researcher relationships; ethical issues; methodological congruency, and; issues related to validity, reliability and rigor. As you undertake this comparison, you should also be building an argument for one approach and against the other; discuss the merits of your chosen research approach versus the alternative approach. Appropriately referenced statements should be provided to support each claim for/against the particular aspect of your methodological framework. Ultimately your aim in this section is to justify that one approach is more appropriate than the other in the context of your particular research problem.
Conclusion (approx. 450 words) This section should consist of a single paragraph. You should firstly present a summary of the argument developed through your essay. Include the conclusions that you arrived at as a result of your discussions in the previous sections. Conclude with a recommended research question and research approach for your particular research problem.
PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE FOLLOWING IS INCLUDED
Evidence of the following: 1. Introduction, including: a. Problem statement b. Outline of problem context and background c. Definition of key terms d. Both research questions and aim/s e. Thesis statement
Justification relative to other research, including: 
a. A well-designed search strategy 
b. Well supported critical discussion of relevant literature clearly showing: 
i. how both research questions relate to other research 
ii. usefulness of both questions to investigate research problem
Justification of chosen approach, including: 
a. Clear description of each question’s methodological framework specifically: 
i. Main assumptions 
ii. Research design
iii. Sampling & recruitment 
iv. Methods of data collection 
v. Methods for data analysis (with statistical tests where relevant) & interpretation 
b. Demonstrated understanding of:
i. different paradigms, methodologies and research 
ii. how different frameworks guide sampling, data collection and interpretation 
c. Congruency between each approach and:
i. particular research question 
ii. recruitment and sampling issues 
iii. data collection methods
iv. methods of analysis and interpretation 
d. Comparison of frameworks including consideration of: 
i. site selection issues and access 
ii. relationships (gatekeeper & researcher/participant) 
iii. project resources 
iv. ethical issues 
v. issues of rigor, reliability and validity 
e. Development of clear argument based on sound reasoning 
f. Clear justification of decision-making 
g. Justification of chosen approach relative to research problem
Conclusion, including: 
a. Summary of argument 
b. Recommendation