Research Papers

Research Design and Chapter 1 Checklist
(To be completed by the student one week before the Communication and Research Design Checkpoint and submitted to the DR Chapter 1 drobox by the student)
Task Student’s Response Chair/SME Feedback

Research Method and Design Identify the research method and design.
Why is it appropriate in relation to the problem, as indicated in the Problem Statement?
How does it align with the research standards of the discipline and the SB’s best practice guide on qualitative or quantitative research design and methods? Have you substantiated your methodology with sources?
Why is the method and design appropriate to answer the research questions?

Population and Sample What are the characteristics of the population?
Why is the population appropriate, given the study problem, purpose, and research questions?
What is the estimated size of the sample?
Why is this sample size appropriate, and how does this sample size align with the SB’s best practice guides on research design and methods?
Materials and Instrumentation What materials/instruments will be used to collect the data?

Data What data will be collected and, if it is a qualitative study, how will your data be verified (e.g. triangulated; see the SB’s best practice guide on qualitative research design and methods)?

How will you obtain access?

Procedure for Data Collection Where and how will the data collection take place and how will the data be recorded (e.g. if qualitative, what recording equipment will you use to record interviews or focus groups, if these are part of your design)?

Data Analysis How will the data be analyzed?
Why is this type of analysis appropriate?

Student completes this checklist, based on Chapter 1

Task Student’s Response
Yes / No

Introduction

The Introduction section of Chapter 1 gives a general overview of the problem but does not directly state the problem.
Scholarly sources are synthesized throughout the discussion; all are relatively recent (to ensure the relevancy of the completed study, resources that are very recent, such as 2-3 years, should be included). Y / N
Statement of the Problem

It contains:
1. An attention-grabbing statement that is supported by current, credible, scholarly literature.
2. A statement that may include a statistic and is supported by primary research or a credible source.
3. A statement of the general problem.
4. A statement of the specific problem.
5. Student (a) frames the problem, (b) validates that it exists with verifiable data, and (c) identifies why, and for whom, the problem matters.
6. Must be 300 words or less.
7. Must align with degree and specialization. Y / N
Purpose of the Study

It contains:
1. The aim of the study.
2. Method and design are identified.
3. Central phenomenon (qual) or variables (quant) are identified.
4. Must align with the problem.
5. Must align with the RQs. Y / N
Introduction to Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

Framework is indicated.

Note: a theoretical framework is required for Ph.D. dissertations (though a conceptual framework may support a theoretical framework). A conceptual framework or theoretical framework may be used in an applied degree dissertation (e.g. DBA, DPA).

If Theoretical, the overview of the framework should include seminal and current scholarly sources, synthesis, and align with the student’s degree.

Qual. studies – identify key tenets of the theory.
Quant. studies – demonstrate alignment with variables.

If Conceptual, the overview of the framework or model should include seminal and current scholarly sources, synthesis, and align with the student’s degree. A diagram of the framework may be presented. Y / N
Research Methodology and Design

There is a clear and succinct articulation of the selected methodology and design. There is rationalization of the alignment of the method and design with the problem and purpose. Rationale is supported by the research literature. Y / N
Research Questions

● Qualitative: 1-3 RQs that align with the problem and purpose (how, what, or why questions). Sub-questions may be included. No cause and effect questions. Links to the theoretical or conceptual framework should be obvious. Population of interest should be included.

● Quantitative: RQs include all variables identified in the purpose statement. Links to the theoretical or conceptual framework should be obvious. Number of questions should match the inquiry. Population of interest should be included.
● Pairs of hypotheses aligned with the associated RQs are correctly phrased based on the statistical test proposed in the purpose statement. Y / N
Significance of the Study

● Describe why the study is important and how it can contribute to the field of study. Explain how the results might both be significant to leaders and practitioners in the field and contribute to the literature (applied studies).
● Explain how the results advance the guiding framework and contribute to the literature (PhD studies).
● Describe the benefits of addressing the study’s problem, achieving the study’s purpose, and answering the research questions.
● There should be no definitive predictions. Y / N
Definitions of Key Terms

Single sentence definitions that are supported by current literature. Y / N
Summary

½ to ¾ of a page, highlighting the items covered in the chapter. No new information is introduced here. Y / N