A1PHD Course & Workshop 701. Topic Selection.

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Course 701. Course 701. Topic SelectionTopic Selection

By Dr. Bill Lemoine


701. Introduction 701. Introduction

This course helps you state the basis for your doctoral dissertation proposal.

Within 2 days you will have specified 3 things: statement of the problem you are studying; pertinent current literature and research or rationale; and, specific objectives, hypotheses or questions directing the study—all interrelated.

You will have refined your proposal topic with clear, concise statements and a well-defined direction for the study. 2


AgendaAgenda

Topics(1) Statement of the Problem(2) Pertinent Research or Rationale(3) Objectives, Hypotheses, Questions


Overview(1)Overview(1)

• Focused on your topic--word, phrase or sentence--you will write a paragraph or two clearly and briefly relating the purpose of your study. Each thought, word, sentence and paragraph of the problem statement will explain the topic and introduce the pertinent research to follow.Text

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Overview(2) Overview(2)

• Using the problem statement as a frame of reference, clearly state the bases of your study: summarize underlying research specifying its content, methods and findings; reveal major problems or omissions that the experts find including problem concepts; review the extent of the bibliography you considered; and, indicate the new knowledge your study can produce.

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Overview(3) Overview(3)

• Summarize from the literature the precise items of your study by stating measurable objectives, testable hypotheses, or specific questions indicating your study outcomes: focus the reader’s attention; relate research variables; imply the methods to be followed; relate to the problem statement. Text

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Topic One: Topic One: Statement of the ProblemStatement of the ProblemDoctoral students start with an area or

interest to them, their topic.Starting the doctorate, I was interested in

the impact on school funding of community programs conducted in the public schools.

So I read the literature of the community schools movement and school system financing to gauge the linkage.


Statement, continued (2)Statement, continued (2)

What emerged was a proposed research topic based on a lack of research indicating strength of school system funding influenced by various kinds of community programming.

So the problem statement became one of taking the most important “proposed” or “supposed” connections and making the connections concrete.


Statement, continued (3)Statement, continued (3) The topic “Community Schools Budget

Influence” became the proposal topic, “Community Education As A Factor Influencing Community Support for the Public Schools.”

The problem statement in 3 paragraphs indicated: (1) the importance of funding public schools in times of crisis; (2) the movement of schools to increase public participation in programs and planning; and, (3) linking community involvement and increased financial support for school budget referenda.

Write three paragraphs explaining your proposed topic, including...


Statement, continued (4)Statement, continued (4)

The purpose of the study, or circumstances surrounding your topic.

The importance or significance of your expected research outcomes.

Generalizability of findings beyond the study. Introduce the research literature section. Briefly, but completely, delimit the study

providing a frame of reference for evaluating the balance of the study.


Topic Two:Topic Two:Pertinent Research & RationalePertinent Research & Rationale Take the Problem Statement and back up your

assertions with quotes from Pertinent Research. This includes a summary of conclusions from previous research, an explanation of your point of view, rationale for your own approach, revealing prior theory you will use, expand or adapt.

For example, community participation takes many forms, state laws, school board mandates, local policies. School finance depends on these and professional interests, training and attitudes. Linking participation and finance required definitions of all these factors within and among schools and districts.


Research, continued (2)Research, continued (2)

National community schools advocacy literature defined community involvement variables; state department of education policies defined them operationally; data collection by state departments defined the data already available and collectable, so these definitions were explained in the proposal.

School district finance and data collection are defined by educational unit; so public school districts with similar budget referendum laws were identified within a particular state and revealed in the literature section.


Research, continued (3)Research, continued (3) Other important influences on school systems

and public participation were identified: community, district and school size; expenditure levels; socioeconomic status of citizens; election turnout; competing municipal service expenditures; and community wealth. Operant definitions were written for all variables.

All influences on community budget support were related in a model of factors.

All definitions were displayed in a table of operational definitions including sources of data for them.



Clarify your theoretical and practical bases for the study.

Summarize the research, including– (1) primary and secondary sources;

– (2) empirical, not advocacy, studies;

– (3) five most pertinent research studies;

– (4) study uniqueness (if not replication);

– (5) scope that’s not too general or narrow;

– (6) closest studies available, if not research.



Relate problems with prior research indicated by the experts; discuss major problems resolved by your study.

Relate how extensive is the bibliography you have studied: indicate your mastery of relevant issues; discuss the references used.

Finally indicate how this study will expand knowledge in the references you revealed.


Topic Three. Objectives, Topic Three. Objectives, Hypotheses or QuestionsHypotheses or QuestionsBring your study back to the purpose you

stated in the problem statement as defined in the research review with objectives, hypotheses or questions: (1) focus reader’s attention on specific questions; (2) relate your variables in hypotheses; (3) imply your methods and procedures; (4) clarify the problem statement; (5) list them in order(of importance, chronology, or other).


Objectives, continued (2)Objectives, continued (2) Demonstrate your faithfulness to expert

definitions; state outcomes for each item. Hypotheses indicate testable relations; specify

directions of causation; make your predictions of the outcomes; relate rubrics or criteria for making real judgments.

Use operation definitions already revealed; base them on the pertinent research or rationale. Clarify new definitions.

Clarify the importance of the objectives, hypotheses and questions to introduce the study procedures.


SummarySummary

Now your proposal has appeal for the reader, your problem is of concern, your outcomes provide solutions, and you are closely aligned with prior expertise.

There may be new methods for old problems, there may be new products to be developed, and your results are worthy of consideration.

In original objectives or methods you may involve participants, materials or equipment not often used before. Your study is now justified.


Where to Get More InformationWhere to Get More Information

Other training sessionsList books, articles, electronic sourcesConsulting services, other sources

A1PHD Course & Workshop 701. Topic Selection.

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