writing assessment

The Research Topic © 2008 Argosy University

Advanced Academic Study and Writing Page 2 of 2

©2008 Argosy University Online Programs

2 The Research Topic

The Research Topic The research topic is at the very center of any research study. Creswell (2005) has defined research problems as issues, controversies, or concerns studied by researchers. In considering a research problem, ask yourself some of the following questions:

1. Is there an organizational problem that needs to be understood and addressed? 2. What area(s) are of a particular passion with you that you would like to explore? 3. Are there community or social issues that are of a particular concern to you?

Although you will need to be concerned with narrowing your research topic to make it manageable and doable, do not let this stop your thinking at this time. In all likelihood, you will find that your research area is similar to being in a large ballpark. So wander around the infield, the outfield, the dugout, the concession stand, as you seek your specific research spot. For those of you who learn best through examples, listed below are some research areas that Argosy doctoral students have explored:

• What are the predictors of loan officers’ performance based on the financial incentive offered by Microfinance (MFI), as related to underlying causes of productivity, and new loan officers’ productivity?

• What are the leadership styles, and the influences on these styles, for the senior and middle management at an Omani corporate higher education institution?

• What are the perceptions of policing as a profession among two-year and four-year Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement students?

• The purpose of this study was to explore the use of storytelling by educational leaders to determine what role, if any, storytelling played in effective leadership.

• This dissertation study explores the phenomenon of academic writing through student and faculty perspectives.

• The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between mentoring and the self-efficacy of beginning counselors.

Congratulations, you have begun your journey as a dissertator! Source: Creswell, J. W. (2005). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (2

nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, Merrill, Prentice Hall.