Literature Review

Lecture Notes

This week's content focuses on finding your APA format.

An important aspect of APA format is structure and form. As you will read in the textbook, the APA style is governed by the  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. In addition, for Leadership Studies, or Organizational Leadership, "This style has gained wide acceptance in the social sciences, business, and earth sciences."

What is important in these lecture notes is the following key point, from Johnson and Johnson (2017),  No amount of skill in writing can disguise research that is poorly designed or managed. Thus, you will need to execute your project with precision. What does this mean to the thesis or capstone project you are starting in this course?

It means that you are writing a thesis that could eventually allow you to publish or have your thesis cited in future research, by other professionals in the field of organizational leadership. In order for your thesis or capstone to be included in this body of scholarly research, everyone (in all universities) follows a certain method to "execute your project with precision."  Below you can find the thesis structure for this purpose.

The paper or literature review you will write and submit this week is actually a draft of Chapter 2 from the following thesis structure:

UNIVERSITY THESIS STRUCTURE

(This is provided for you to have a sense of what your work in LED 680 is building towards for your thesis or capstone project in LED 690)

Chapter 1:

Introduction/Significance of the study (4-6 pages)

· Provide background on the topic.

· Help the reader understand why this topic should be explored, briefly discuss the reasons for interest in the topic.

· Fine-tune the  research question/s.

· Describe the general direction of the study.

 

Chapter 2:

Literature Review (10-15 pages)

· A review of published scholarly literature about the topic.

· Review key results or findings of the author(s). What is known about the topic?

· What previous works provide the best information to date on the topic and what do the studies conclude?  Identify and discuss  controversy in the published literature.

· What are the strengths and weaknesses of these studies and how are they synthesized?

· A literature review is not a summary of articles, but a conceptually organized synthesis, including criticism appropriate to the results of your search.

.

Chapter 3:

Methodology/Research Design (4-7 pages) (originally written in future tense then if data is collected, changed to past tense).

· Explain and discuss the process for examining the data or information. How will you be analyzing or comparing theories or data etc?

· Does your research involve a quantitative approach and hypothesis or a qualitative approach and a research questions/s? or perhaps both as in mixed methods.

· Determine what evidence or data collection answers the various research questions and/or hypothesis

· Develop an original research design for addressing the problem and question stated in the introduction. (I will compare this to that, I will interview etc.)

· Discuss the  relevance of the research design. Why do you think this approach is a good fit to your question/s?

· Any ethical issues expected with a process for addressing them.

· Limitations: what will you  not be researching which is closely related to your topic and why? What boundaries have you chosen for your sample or study and explain your reasoning.

· Discuss how the research design would be (will be) implemented.

· Identify sample, hypothesis, variables, data collection, findings

· Qualitative aspects, interview questions, implementation problems, expected outcomes, timelines.

 

In general, the first three sections or chapters comprise the  mini-proposal or the  research proposal. The mini proposal is the portion that the Institutional Review Board (IRB) will want to review before granting approval or exemption involving the participation of human subjects. Even if you administer only one interview, or a survey, you must obtain review through IRB. In many research proposals, data collection follows the first three chapters.

 

Chapter 4

Research Findings (3-8 pages)

· Presentation of the data/how does your data answer your question, or support/reject your hypothesis?

· What does the research reveal? What are your findings?

· Additional findings or unexpected outcomes

· Details or experiences from the sampling process or data collection process.

 

Chapter 5

Conclusions, Discussion and Recommendations (5-20 pages).

· Conclusions based upon the Research Findings, a discussion of what the findings may mean. This includes possible reasons for non-supported hypotheses. What is the impact or contribution of the knowledge and/or understanding? How does your research assist in the understanding of or the exercise of leadership? What recommendations follow your findings for policy or practice?

· The only section where personal experience may be appropriate.

· Assumptions and limitations

· Potential ethical considerations of the research not covered previously

· Suggestions for future research

· Summary

 

References, see APA format in detail, current edition

Appendices

· IRB approval or exemption letter

· Copy of Letter of Consent (IRB) (if any interaction with Human subjects, including surveys, is used)

· Questionnaire example

· Survey instrument example

Title Page Abstract Title page Copyright page Signature page Dedication (optional) Acknowledgement page (Optional) Table of Contents List of Tables (if needed – required if there are 4 or more tables in the text) List of Figures (if needed – required if there are 4 or more figures in the text) List of Plates (of needed – required if there are 4 or more plates in the text)

2

Topic Proposal for Exploring the Impact of Purpose-Driven Leadership on Unit Cohesion and Mission Effectiveness in Military Organizations

National University

LED 680: Leadership Research

Topic Proposal: Exploring the Impact of Purpose-Driven Leadership on Unit Cohesion and Mission Effectiveness in Military Organizations

The primary research question for this thesis is: "How does purpose-driven leadership influence unit cohesion and mission effectiveness in military organizations?" This question will be explored through a detailed literature review, drawing on scholarly sources to examine the theoretical foundations and practical applications of purpose-driven leadership in military settings. The research will also consider the broader implications of aligning individual goals with long-term organizational objectives, drawing parallels with academic advising and corporate leadership where relevant.

Purpose-driven leadership is defined by leading with a clear and compelling mission that significantly affects military organizations, especially in terms of improving unit cohesion and mission effectiveness. In the military, purpose-driven leadership involves leaders who clearly articulate a vision and align their actions and decisions with this overarching purpose. In recent years, it has become evident that a different style of leadership needs to be effective in the military. This approach creates a sense of belonging and shared commitment among military personnel, which is essential in high-stakes environments. Leaders who embody and communicate a strong sense of purpose can inspire their teams to achieve remarkable outcomes (Sparks & Schenk, 2001). Aligning individual and organizational goals under a unified purpose not only boosts morale but also drives collective effort towards mission success, giving members of the organization a “buy-in” so they can freely communicate and express their visions.

A key impact of purpose-driven leadership in the military is the enhancement of unit cohesion. When military leaders emphasize a common purpose, it strengthens the bonds among team members (Sparks & Schenk, 2001). This unity is crucial in military operations where trust and cooperation are vital. Leaders who consistently reinforce the mission and values of the organization help build a cohesive unit that can operate effectively under pressure. The shared sense of purpose fosters mutual respect and understanding, which are essential for effective teamwork and coordination.

Furthermore, purpose-driven leadership enhances mission effectiveness by ensuring that all members of the unit are focused on common goals and objectives. The article by Sparks and Schenk (2001) discusses how leaders who provide a strong sense of purpose can mitigate the adverse psychological effects of challenging situations, such as pre-deployment quarantine during a pandemic. By fostering a supportive environment and emphasizing the importance of the mission, leaders help service members maintain their psychological well-being and readiness for deployment. This readiness and psychological resilience are crucial for mission effectiveness, as they ensure that service members are mentally and physically prepared to perform their duties.

Moreover, purpose-driven leadership can lead to better adherence to protocols and procedures, which is essential for operational success. Leaders who instill a sense of purpose can motivate others to follow guidelines meticulously, reducing the risk of errors and enhancing overall mission effectiveness. This adherence to protocols, driven by a clear understanding of their importance, directly contributes to the success of military operations.

The literature review will include an examination of various scholarly sources that discuss the theoretical foundations of purpose-driven leadership. This includes exploring concepts such as transformational leadership, servant leadership, and ethical leadership, which all emphasize the importance of a clear and compelling mission. Additionally, the review will consider empirical studies that have investigated the impact of purpose-driven leadership on organizational outcomes, particularly in military settings.

The research will also draw on case studies and examples from both military and corporate contexts to illustrate how purpose-driven leadership can be effectively implemented. These case studies will provide practical insights into the strategies and practices that successful leaders use to align individual and organizational goals. By comparing these examples, the research will highlight the common elements of effective purpose-driven leadership and identify best practices that can be applied in military organizations.

In addition to the literature review, the research will include interviews with military leaders and personnel to gather firsthand insights into the impact of purpose-driven leadership. These interviews will provide valuable perspectives on how leaders can effectively communicate and embody a sense of purpose, as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with this leadership approach. The qualitative data collected from these interviews will complement the findings from the literature review and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

The broader implications of this research extend beyond military context. By drawing parallels with academic advising and corporate leadership, the research will highlight the universal principles of purpose-driven leadership that can be applied in various organizational settings. This includes the importance of aligning individual goals with long-term organizational objectives, fostering a sense of belonging and commitment, and creating an environment where individuals feel valued and motivated to contribute to the mission.

In conclusion, this thesis will explore the impact of purpose-driven leadership on unit cohesion and mission effectiveness in military organizations. Through detailed literature review, case studies, and interviews with military leaders, the research will provide a comprehensive understanding of how purpose-driven leadership can enhance organizational outcomes. By highlighting the theoretical foundations and practical applications of this leadership approach, the thesis will contribute to the broader field of organizational leadership and provide valuable insights for military and corporate leaders alike.

References:

Trachik, B., Tucker, R. P., Ganulin, M. L., Merrill, J. C., LoPresti, M. L., Cabrera, O. A., & Dretsch, M. N. (2020). Leader provided purpose: Military leadership behavior and its association with suicidal ideation.  Psychiatry Research,  285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112722.

Sparks, J. R., & Schenk, J. A. (2001). Explaining the effects of transformational leadership: an investigation of the effects of higher-order motives in multilevel marketing organizations.  Journal of Organizational Behavior,  22(8), 849–869. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.116

Bühler, A., & Willmund, G.-D. (2021). Adherence and Psychosocial Well-Being During Pandemic-Associated Pre-deployment Quarantine.  Frontiers in Public Health,  9, 802180. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.802180

Trachik, B., Moscardini, E. H., Ganulin, M. L., McDonald, J. L., McKeon, A. B., Dretsch, M. N., Tucker, R. P., & Sowden, W. J. (2022). Perceptions of purpose, cohesion, and military leadership: A path analysis of potential primary prevention targets to mitigate suicidal ideation.  Military Psychology,  34(3), 366–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2021.1962184

Brandebo, M. F., Börjesson, M., & Hilmarsson, H. (2022). Longitudinal studies on cohesion in a military context -- A systematic review.  Military Psychology,  34(6), 732–741. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2041995