Overview
DQ1. Review the following guides:
- Qualitative Purpose Statement Design Selection and Research Question Development
- Quantitative Purpose Statement Design Selection and Research Question/Hypotheses Development
Reflect on your progress aligning your problem, purpose, and research questions.
Discuss the following with your classmates:
- How does your research problem shape your purpose statement and research questions?
- What challenges have you encountered in ensuring alignment between your research design (quantitative or qualitative) and your research questions?
- Provide one example from your work-in-progress to illustrate this alignment or a specific challenge you are addressing.
Include references to specific sections from the guides to support your response (e.g., aligning purpose and design, refining questions to match your design). DQ2. The purpose of the ACCESS courses is to equip you with the essential skills for conducting research. The work completed in this course holds the potential to evolve into the foundation of the dissertation topic. Upon receiving feedback from faculty, you are encouraged to take time to reflect on their progress. Specifically, if the selected topic demonstrates promise as a potential dissertation focus, it is advisable to make revisions at this stage. The work developed during this course may serve as a valuable starting point, which can be revisited and expanded upon as you gain a deeper understanding of the chosen topic. It is crucial to refine the current work and ensure it is stored in an accessible location for future reference and further development.
If you determine that the selected topic is unsuitable for your dissertation, it is important to reassess and explore alternative research areas. In this case, you should revisit your initial brainstorming process and identify new topics that align more closely with your academic interests and long-term research goals. It is recommended that you conduct a comprehensive review of the literature in potential new areas, ensuring that sufficient scholarly resources exist to support future research. Additionally, you should seek guidance to refine the focus and develop a more viable dissertation topic. As part of this process, you should maintain a well-organized record of your findings and reflections to inform the development of the revised research direction.
Consider the progress you have made on your research project or dissertation.
Discuss the following with your classmates:
- Is the topic still one you are considering for your research project or dissertation?
- If yes, what actionable steps will you take once this course ends to further your understanding of the topic and to develop your ideas?
- If you are considering a different topic, what actionable steps will you take to select a new topic?
As a reminder, the final dissertation topic rests with your committee members when in Phase 2.