Research purpose refers to a study’s overall aim or intent, explaining why the research is being conducted and what it hopes to accomplish.
What Is a Research Purpose?
The research purpose is the central reason a study is being done. It expresses the broader goal that motivates the researcher to explore a particular topic. While research objectives break down specific steps and research questions identify what to explore, the purpose explains the “why” behind the entire study.
In social science, where topics often involve complex social systems, behaviors, or experiences, the research purpose sets the tone. It tells readers, funders, and other researchers what the study hopes to contribute to knowledge, theory, or practice.
For example, if a criminologist is studying community policing, their research purpose might be: “To better understand how community policing influences residents’ trust in law enforcement.” This purpose statement communicates the overarching intent of the research.
Why Research Purpose Matters
Defining the research purpose is a foundational step in the research process. It helps researchers clarify what they hope to achieve and how the study connects to broader social or academic goals.
A strong research purpose:
- Frames the direction of the study
- Provides a link between the research problem and the research questions
- Guides the choice of methods, design, and data collection
- Explains the significance of the study to readers
- Helps justify the value of the research
In both academic and applied research, the purpose also supports funding proposals, project planning, and stakeholder communication.
Research Purpose vs. Objectives, Questions, and Hypotheses
Although closely related, the research purpose is not the same as objectives, questions, or hypotheses.
- Purpose explains why the study is being done.
- Objectives describe what the study aims to achieve.
- Questions ask what the researcher wants to find out.
- Hypotheses predict relationships between variables.
Here’s an example showing how these elements work together:
- Purpose: To understand the impact of after-school programs on student behavior.
- Objective: To evaluate how participation in after-school programs affects rates of school discipline referrals.
- Question: What is the relationship between after-school program participation and student behavior?
- Hypothesis: Students who attend after-school programs will receive fewer discipline referrals than those who do not.
The purpose gives meaning and direction to the rest of the study.
Characteristics of a Strong Research Purpose
A strong research purpose should be:
1. Clear
It should be easy to understand. Avoid overly technical language, long sentences, or vague terms.
Example (clear): The purpose of this study is to explore how parental involvement influences academic motivation in middle school students.
Example (unclear): This research is being done to look into the many things related to student performance in schools.
2. Focused
The purpose should be narrow enough to be studied effectively within the resources and timeframe available. Avoid trying to answer everything at once.
3. Aligned
The purpose must connect directly to the research problem, questions, and design. If the study aims to explore one topic but collects data on something unrelated, the research becomes disjointed.
4. Meaningful
The purpose should highlight the importance of the study. It should explain how the research contributes to knowledge, practice, or policy.
Types of Research Purpose in Social Science
Different types of studies call for different kinds of research purposes. Most fall into one or more of the following categories:
1. Exploratory Purpose
Used when little is known about a topic or when the researcher wants to generate ideas for further study.
Example: The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of first-generation college students.
2. Descriptive Purpose
Focused on documenting characteristics, patterns, or trends. This type of research purpose does not try to explain causes or test theories.
Example: This study aims to describe voting patterns among young adults in urban areas.
3. Explanatory Purpose
Used when the goal is to understand the causes or relationships between variables. This is often used in hypothesis-driven research.
Example: The purpose of this study is to examine how social media use affects political engagement.
4. Evaluative Purpose
Used to assess the effectiveness of a program, policy, or intervention.
Example: This study aims to evaluate the impact of a community mentorship program on high school graduation rates.
5. Predictive Purpose
Used when the researcher wants to forecast outcomes based on data.
Example: The purpose of this study is to predict employee turnover based on job satisfaction, workload, and organizational culture.
How to Write a Research Purpose Statement
Writing a research purpose statement is a practical step in starting your study. Here are simple steps to follow:
Step 1: Identify the Research Problem
Start by clarifying the problem or gap the research addresses. Your purpose should offer a response to that issue.
Example problem: Many rural communities face teacher shortages, but the reasons are not well understood.
Step 2: Use Purpose-Oriented Language
Begin the statement with a clear phrase such as:
- The purpose of this study is to…
- This research aims to…
- This study seeks to…
Step 3: Mention the Key Concepts
Include the main variables, concepts, or phenomena the study will explore.
Example: The purpose of this study is to explore how rural teachers experience job satisfaction and burnout.
Step 4: Indicate the Approach
You can briefly mention whether the study is qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods.
Example: Using qualitative interviews, this study aims to understand how new immigrants adapt to urban neighborhoods.
Step 5: Keep It Concise
Aim for one or two sentences. A purpose statement should be brief but informative.
Examples of Research Purpose Statements by Discipline
Sociology
Topic: Social capital in immigrant communities
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how community networks influence job opportunities for recent immigrants.
Psychology
Topic: Social media and self-esteem
Purpose: This study aims to explore the relationship between social media use and self-esteem in adolescents.
Political Science
Topic: Voter suppression
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to investigate how voter ID laws affect turnout among minority voters.
Education
Topic: Remote learning outcomes
Purpose: This study seeks to evaluate the impact of remote instruction on student performance in elementary schools.
Criminal Justice
Topic: Prison education programs
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess how prison-based education affects reentry outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Anthropology
Topic: Urban migration
Purpose: This study aims to explore how rural-to-urban migrants maintain cultural identity in metropolitan settings.
Research Purpose in a Thesis or Dissertation
In academic research, the research purpose usually appears early in the introduction or proposal. It helps readers quickly understand the goal of the study and sets the stage for everything that follows.
“The purpose of this study is to explore the decision-making processes of first-generation college students when choosing a major, using semi-structured interviews.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few pitfalls to avoid when writing your research purpose:
- Being too broad: Don’t try to solve all problems at once.
- Using vague language: Words like “look into” or “deal with” are unclear.
- Failing to connect to the research question: The purpose must match the focus of the study.
- Overloading the statement: Keep it short and focused on one main goal.
- Forgetting the reader: Write clearly so that others can easily understand your intent.
Final Thoughts
The research purpose is the guiding light of any study. It explains why the research matters and what it hopes to contribute to knowledge, policy, or practice. In the social sciences, where researchers deal with complex and often personal topics, a clear and meaningful research purpose ensures the study stays grounded and focused.
Whether you are exploring community change, testing a theory, or evaluating a program, a well-written purpose helps communicate the value of your work and keeps your research on track.
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Last Modified: 03/25/2025