A research statement is a :wikt:summary|summary of research achievements and a proposal for upcoming research. It often includes both current aims and findings, and future goals. Research statements are usually requested as part of a relevant job application process, and often assist in the identification of appropriate applicants. A typical research statement follows a typical pattern in regard to layout, and often includes features of other research documents including an abstract, research background and goals. Often these reports are tailored towards specific audiences, and may be used to showcase job proficiency or underline particular areas of research within a program.
Purpose of a Research Statement
The purpose of a research statement is to let the viewers know the essence of the research document, the main points of the research and where the research will lead to later on. The later paragraphs of a statement might highlight the benefits that the research report will provide to its relevant subject field. A research statement if done properly can be successful in answering the questions below:
What is your interest in the research study?
What were the unsolved questions that compelled a student to undertake the study?
What are the major accomplishments that resulted from the study?
What methodologies were used in collection and analysis of data for the research project?
What were the factors that limited the scope of the research?
What other challenges were encountered during the research and how were they overcome?
What is the application of your research in society?
What is the importance of the research project within its relevant field?
Does your research pave the way for further studies in the field?
Academic researchers stress the point that a research statement cannot simply be answered by saying yes or no but is supported by valid evidences.
Some of the main research statements for quantitative researches are
Descriptive Research Statements
Relational Research Statements
Difference Research Statements
Quantitative research statements are based on the logic of deduction and reasoning and are formed by identifying the variables of a general theory and observing a few selected variables.
Some of the main research statements for qualitative researches are
Ethnographic research statements
Historical research statements
Legal research statements
Qualitative research statements are based on inductive reasoning and are restated several times during the collection of data. They explain what influence qualitative statements or variables have in decision making under uncertain conditions.
Types of Research Statements
Usually two types of research statements are formed for a research paper.
Objective Research Statement: An objective research statement gives a balanced overview of the whole of the research study.
Subjective Research Statement: The subjective research statement is based on the results of research analysis.
Bad Practices of Research Statements
Below are some of the reasons many research proposals are turned down by research committees.
The research study is trivial and does not contribute beneficially to the relevant field.
The research statement is built on a hypothesis that is unstable and lacks enough evidence to be compelling.
The statement relates to only a limited area and hence does not address the mainstream issues of its field.
The research statement is too broad in scope requiring analysis of multiple variables at once.
The research statement does not fully grasp the complexity of the research study.
