Application 3 – Final Paper

At the end of this course, you will write a 15- to 20-page literature review that captures relevant theories and empirical research leading to a significant research topic, problem and research question(s). Approach your topic as though you were arguing for funding which might support a vital new step in understanding methods for systems design, implementation, and analysis. While you do not have to actually design a study to the point of specifying research measures or samples, try to evolve your thinking to the point of framing a relevant research topic, problem and question(s) on which your proposed research would be focused. This question should be complete enough to suggest why the answers obtained further develop an important theory or address a gap in a current model, or demonstrate an immediate application to solving common people/process problems related to systems. Rather than attempting to include as many references as possible, try to emphasize the logical coherence of your evidence of conceptual foundations. Build a rhetorical argument for why your research problem and question(s) are important. An obvious extension of your paper would be to consider using it as a springboard for a dissertation proposal. Your paper could also be useful for the development of Chapter 2 of your proposal/dissertation.

Your literature review paper should include the following elements:

• Adherence to APA format, 6th edition, which requires a title page, an abstract, a reference list, and appropriate sections and their headings.
• Thoroughly review the literature to provide evidence of a potential research opportunity/gap.
• Based upon the findings from your literature review, clearly define the gap in research, focusing on what has been discussed in the academic literature and what has not.
• The gap should lead to the definition of a potential topic which should be a viable topic for potential dissertation research.
• In your conclusion section, include a draft Problem Statement.

End the paper with at least one research question that is demonstrably linked to your problem statement, but do not address any hypotheses or design considerations.