Litmus Test for a Doctoral-Level Research Problem Background on these “litmus test” questions · The distinguishing characteristic of doctoral-level research (as opposed to masters level) is that it must make an original contribution to the field. However, students may struggle to identify what will authentically contribute to their field or discipline. · The most critical step in making such a contribution is to first identify a research problem with the 4 doctoral hallmarks below. Identifying a doctoral-level research problem is “necessary, but not sufficient,” to produce doctoral-level capstone. REQUIRED DOCTORAL HALLMARKS OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM In Walden’s scholar-practitioner model, a research problem shows promise of contributing meaningfully to the field ONLY if the answer to ALL of the following questions is “yes.” Yes No 1. JUSTIFIED? Is there evidence that this problem is significant to the professional field? There must be relevant statistics (expressing an unjust inequality, financial impact, lost efficiency, etc.), documentable discrepancies (e.g., two models that are difficult to reconcile), and/or other scholarly facts that point to the significance and urgency of the problem. The problem must be an authentic “puzzle” that needs solving, not merely a topic that the researcher finds interesting. 2. GROUNDED IN THE LITERATURE? Can the problem be framed in a way that will enable the researcher to either build upon or counter the previously published findings on the topic? For most fields, this involves articulating the problem within the context of a theoretical or conceptual framework. Although there are multiple ways to ground a study in the scientific literature, the essential requirement is that the problem is framed in such a way that the new findings will have implications for the previous findings. 3. ORIGINAL? For research doctorates (Ph.D.): Does the problem reflect a meaningful gap in the research literature? For the professional doctorates (Ed.D. and D.B.A.): Does the problem describe a meaningful gap in practice? 4. AMENABLE TO SCIENTIFIC STUDY? Can a scholarly, systematic method of inquiry be applied to address the problem? The framing of the problem should not reveal bias or present a foregone conclusion. Even if the researcher has a strong opinion on the expected findings, scholarly objectivity must be maximized by framing the problem in the context of a systematic inquiry that permits multiple possible conclusions. Assignment #1: Net Worth Terminology Due: Week 3 September 11th @11:59pm(est) Requirements: Use the following questions below as a template and address all questions within your written assignment. This paper requires correct grammar, punctuation, and APA format. Assignment #1 “Net Worth Terminology” is worth 100 points (10%) of your course weighted grade. A minimum of Two (2) references are required in proper APA format. References can come from a re.

1. Litmus Test for a Doctoral-Level Research Problem
Background on these “litmus test” questions
· The distinguishing characteristic of doctoral-level research (as
opposed to masters level) is that it must make an original
contribution to the field. However, students may struggle to
identify what will authentically contribute to their field or
discipline.
· The most critical step in making such a contribution is to first
identify a research problem with the 4 doctoral hallmarks
below. Identifying a doctoral-level research problem is
“necessary, but not sufficient,” to produce doctoral-level
capstone.
REQUIRED DOCTORAL HALLMARKS OF THE RESEARCH
PROBLEM
In Walden’s scholar-practitioner model, a research problem
shows promise of contributing meaningfully to the field ONLY
if the answer to ALL of the following questions is “yes.”
Yes
No
1. JUSTIFIED?
Is there evidence that this problem is significant to the
professional field?
There must be relevant statistics (expressing an unjust
inequality, financial impact, lost efficiency, etc.), documentable
discrepancies (e.g., two models that are difficult to reconcile),
and/or other scholarly facts that point to the significance and
urgency of the problem. The problem must be an authentic
“puzzle” that needs solving, not merely a topic that the
researcher finds interesting.

2. 2. GROUNDED IN THE LITERATURE?
Can the problem be framed in a way that will enable the
researcher to either build upon or counter the previously
published findings on the topic?
For most fields, this involves articulating the problem within
the context of a theoretical or conceptual framework. Although
there are multiple ways to ground a study in the scientific
literature, the essential requirement is that the problem is
framed in such a way that the new findings will have
implications for the previous findings.
3. ORIGINAL?
For research doctorates (Ph.D.):
Does the problem reflect a meaningful gap in the research
literature?
For the professional doctorates (Ed.D. and D.B.A.):
Does the problem describe a meaningful gap in practice?
4. AMENABLE TO SCIENTIFIC STUDY?
Can a scholarly, systematic method of inquiry be applied to
address the problem?
The framing of the problem should not reveal bias or present a
foregone conclusion. Even if the researcher has a strong opinion
on the expected findings, scholarly objectivity must be

3. maximized by framing the problem in the context of a
systematic inquiry that permits multiple possible conclusions.
Assignment #1: Net Worth Terminology
Due: Week 3
September 11th @11:59pm(est)
Requirements:
Use the following questions below as a template and address all
questions within your written
assignment. This paper requires correct grammar, punctuation,
and APA format.
Assignment #1 “Net Worth Terminology” is worth 100 points
(10%) of your course weighted
grade. A minimum of Two (2) references are required in proper
APA format. References can
come from a refereed peer reviewed journal article, course
textbook, and or an Internet source.
The following below should be included in your assignment:
This assignment requires 2-4 pages
(Excluding Title and Reference Page). The assignment should

4. be typed and submitted on a
Word Document, font size 12 font, font names that should be
used are times new roman or
Calabria (not both), normal margins (no more than 1 inch),
double spaced.
Review the chapter 3 about net worth terminology and Exhibit
3-3.Find two separate articles that
are healthcare industry/ organization related on two or more of
the financial terms listed: Assets,
Equity, Fund Balance, Liabilities and Net Worth. Note that the
article’s publication date should
be from September of 2013 to the current date.
Include your paper:
-6
sentences) per summery
listed (One
paragraph (4-6 sentences) per
financial term
(One paragraph (4-6
sentences) per term
discuss whether the net worth

5. terms you have found/used in your paper appears to be referring
to for-profit
corporations; for-profit sole proprietors or partnerships, or not-
for-profit companies.
What led you to believe this? (One paragraph (4-6 sentences)
author of these articles, would you have been
more specific? If so, why?
If not, why not? (One paragraph (4-6 sentences).
Assignment #1: Net Worth Terminology
Grading Rubric:
This assignment requires 2-4 pages (Excluding Title and
Reference Pages). The assignment
should be APA format, typed on a Word Document, font size 12
font, font names that should be
used are times new roman or Calabria (not both), normal
margins (no more than 1 inch), double
spaced.

6. Content Total Possible Points
Title Page :
Student Name (First and Last)
Student Panther ID Number
Title of Assignment
5
A brief summary of each articles (One
paragraph (4-6 sentences) per summery
15
An explanation of two different financial
terms listed (One paragraph (4-6
sentences) each term.
15
A discussion of each of the terms’
application to healthcare finance (One
paragraph (4-6 sentences) per term.
20
Discussion on whether the net worth

7. terms you have found/used in your paper
appears to be referring to for-profit
corporations; for-profit sole proprietors or
partnerships, or not-for-profit companies.
What led you to believe this? (One
paragraph (4-6 sentences)
15
Discussion on if you were the author of
these articles, would you have been more
specific? If so, why? If not, why not?
(One paragraph (4-6 sentences)
15
Reference Page: Proper APA format for
Two references and citations in the body
of the presentation is seen.
Citations/references can came from a
refereed/peer review journal article,
course textbook, and or an Internet

8. source.
5
College level writing seen which includes;
Complete sentences, proper grammar,
spelling, punctuation, mechanics and
APA formatting
10
Deductions: Turn It in Originality Report
over 30%. Assignment on wrong
document. Assignment minimum page
count not met. Missing Links to articles.
N/A
Total Points 100
All students will have from the opening of the course until the
assignment due date to submit
each assignment required via turn it in assignment dropbox
area. All students will have one
attempt to submit each assignment required for the course.
Therefore, it is very important that

9. the student double check their work before they submit the final
assignment for review and
grading. If a student submit the wrong assignment to the turn it
in assignment dropbox area it is
subject to a “0” numeric grade. If a student submit a blank
assignment to the turn it in
assignment dropbox area it is subject to a “0” numeric grade. If
a student submit the correct
assignment to the wrong turn it in assignment dropbox area it is
subject to a “0” numeric grade.
If a student do not submit the assignment on the required
software and or document for the
assignment (refer to the assignment criteria) (example, a
Microsoft word document, PowerPoint
presentation (PPT) and or pdf /provide weblink for Prezi
(PPT)), it is subject to a “0” numeric
grade. If a student submit a recycled assignment (whether it be
from another student in the same
course, for another course, from a repeated course, student own
work submitted to another
course, someone else work submitted to another course, etc.) to
the turn it in assignment dropbox
area it is subject to a “0” numeric grade. No exceptions!!

10. 1
8
Annotated Bibliography
Author Name
Walden University
RSCH 8110/7110/6110: Research Theory, Design, and Methods
Instructor Name
Due Date
Annotated Bibliography
A
utism researchers continue to grapple with activities that best
serve the purpose of fostering positive interpersonal
relationships for children with autism. Children have benefited
from therapy sessions that provide ongoing activities to aid
their ability to engage in healthy social interactions. However,
less is known about how K–12 schools might implement
programs for this group of individuals to provide additional
opportunities for growth, or even if and how school programs
would be of assistance in the end. There is a gap, then, in
understanding the possibilities of implementing such programs
in schools to foster the social and mental health of children with
autism. The six articles I selected for this assignment present
research on different types of therapeutic programs that have
been used to promote social interactions in children with
autism.
Annotated Bibliography
Wi
mpory, D. C., & Nash, S. (1999). Musical interaction therapy –
therapeutic play for children with autism. Child Language and

11. Teaching Therapy, 15(1), 17–28.
https://doi.org/10.1177/026565909901500103
Wi
mpory and Nash provided a case study for implementing music
interaction therapy as part of play therapy aimed at cultivating
communication skills in infants with autism spectrum disorder
(ASD). The researchers based their argument on films taken of
play-based therapy sessions that introduced music interaction
therapy. To assess the success of music play, Wimpory and
Nash filmed the follow-up play-based interaction between the
parent and the child. The follow-up interactions revealed that 20
months after the introduction of music play, the child developed
prolonged playful interaction with both the psychologist and the
parent. The follow-up films also revealed that the child initiated
spontaneously pretend play during these later sessions. After the
introduction of music, the child began to develop appropriate
language skills.
Si
nce the publication date for this case study is 1999, the results
are dated. Although this study found that music interaction
therapy is useful, emerging research in the field has
undoubtedly changed in the time since this article was
published. Wimpory and Nash wrote this article for a specific
audience, including psychologists and researchers working with
infants diagnosed with ASD. Their focus means that others
beyond these fields may not find the findings applicable to their
work.
I
am interested in the role of music in therapy to foster social and
mental health in children with ASD. Therefore, Wimpory and
Nash’s research is useful to me for background information on
the implementation of music into play-based therapy in infants
with ASD. Wimpory and Nash presented a basis for this
technique and outlined its initial development. Therefore, their
case study can be useful to my research when paired with more

12. recent research on the topic.
Conclusion
For the Week 10 Application assignment, include a one-
paragraph conclusion that presents a synthesis of the six articles
you annotated.
�An introduction paragraph is a helpful addition to your
annotated bibliography to tell your reader about your topic of
interest and the general context of your topic.
An introduction paragraph is not required for the Week 6 and
Week 8 Application assignments.
An introduction paragraph is required for the Week 10
Application assignment; this single paragraph should provide
context for why you selected the six research articles that you
did.
�Each APA style-formatted reference entry should be followed
by a three-paragraph annotation that includes (a) a summary of
the source, (b) an analysis of the source, and (c) an application
of the source.
�The first paragraph of the annotation is a � HYPERLINK
"https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/assignments
/annotatedbibliographies/summary" ��summary� of the
source.

13. The summary should present the (a) main findings of the study,
(b) primary method(s) of the study, and (c) theoretical or
conceptual basis of the study.
�The second paragraph of the annotation is an � HYPERLINK
"https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/assignments
/annotatedbibliographies/critique" ��analysis� of the source.
The analysis should explain the strengths and limitations of the
source.
�The third paragraph of the annotation is an � HYPERLINK
"https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/assignments
/annotatedbibliographies/application" ��application� of the
source.
The application should (a) justify how the source is applicable
to your research interest, (b) describe how the source’s method
is applicable to your research interest, and (c) indicate how the
source might help to guide your future research on the topic.
In this paragraph, it is acceptable to use the � HYPERLINK
"https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/scholarlyvoi
ce/first" ��first person� (I, me, my) in your writing.
��A conclusion is not required for the Week 6 and Week 8
Application assignments.

14. A conclusion is required for the Week 10 Application
assignment; this single paragraph should present a �
HYPERLINK
"http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/evidence/synt
hesis" ��synthesis� of the six research articles you annotated.
Article (With DOI)
Alvarez. E. & Tippins, S. (2019). Socialization agents that
Puerto Rican college students use to make financial
decisions. Journal of Social Change, 11(1), 75–
85. https://doi.org/10.5590/JOSC.2019.11.1.07
Laplante, J. P., & Nolin, C. (2014). Consultas and socially
responsible investing in Guatemala: A case study examining
Maya perspectives on the Indigenous right to free, prior, and
informed consent. Society & Natural Resources, 27, 231–
248. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2013.861554
Use the DOI number for the source whenever one is available.
DOI stands for "digital object identifier," a number specific to
the article that can help others locate the source.
In APA 7, format the DOI as a web address. Active hyperlinks
for DOIs and URLs should be used for documents meant for
screen reading. Present these hyperlinks in blue and underlined
text (the default formatting in Microsoft Word), although plain
black text is also acceptable. Be consistent in your formatting
choice for DOIs and URLs throughout your reference list.
Also see our Quick Answer FAQ, "Can I use the DOI format
provided by library databases?"
Jerrentrup, A., Mueller, T., Glowalla, U., Herder, M., Henrichs,
N., Neubauer, A., & Schaefer, J. R. (2018). Teaching medicine

15. with the help of “Dr. House.” PLoS ONE, 13(3), Article
e0193972. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193972
For journal articles that are assigned article numbers rather than
page ranges, include the article number in place of the page
range.
Summary
For each source listed, you will begin with a summary of the
information you found in that specific source. The summary
section gives your reader an overview of the important
information from that source. Remember that you are focusing
on a source's method and results, not paraphrasing the article's
argument or evidence.
The questions below can help you produce an appropriate,
scholarly summary:
· What is the topic of the source?
· What actions did the author perform within the study and
why?
· What were the methods of the author?
· What was the theoretical basis for the study?
· What were the conclusions of the study?
Remember, a summary should be similar to an abstract of a
source and written in past tense (e.g. "The authors found that…"
or "The studies showed…"), but it should not be the source's
abstract. Each summary should be written in your own words.
Critique/Analysis
After each summary, your annotations should include a critique
or analysis of each source. In this section, you will want to
focus on the strengths of the article or the study (the things that
would make your reader want to read this source), but do not be
afraid to address any deficiencies or areas that need
improvement. The idea of a critique is that you act as a critic—

16. addressing both the good and the bad.
In your critique/analysis, you will want to answer some or all of
the following questions (taken from the KAM Guidebook):
· Was the research question well framed and significant?
· How well did the authors relate the research question to the
existing body of knowledge?
· Did the article make an original contribution to the existing
body of knowledge?
· Was the theoretical framework for the study adequate and
appropriate?
· Has the researcher communicated clearly and fully?
· Was the research method appropriate?
· Is there a better way to find answers to the research question?
· Was the sample size sufficient?
· Were there adequate controls for researcher bias?
· Is the research replicable?
· What were the limitations in this study?
· How generalizable are the findings?
· Are the conclusions justified by the results?
· Did the writer take into account differing social and cultural
contexts?
Application
Finally, the last part of each annotation should justify the
source's use and address how the source might fit into your own
research. Consider a few questions:
· How is this source different than others in the same field or on
the same topic?
· How does this source inform your future research?
· Does this article fill a gap in the literature?
· How would you be able to apply this method to your area of
focus or project?
· Is the article universal?
First person may be appropriate to use in an application
paragraph of the annotated bibliography, but doing so will

17. depend on what aspects of the article you are discussing and
faculty preferences. For example, if you are discussing how the
article is applicable to your research project, first person may
be appropriate. If you are talking about how the article relates
to the literature or field as a whole, first person may not be
appropriate. In all cases, be sure to follow our guidance
on appropriate use of first person.
Example
The example annotation below includes the citation, a summary
in the first paragraph, the critique/analysis in the second
paragraph, and the application in the third paragraph.
Gathman, A. C., & Nessan, C. L. (1997). Fowler's stages of
faith development in an honors science-and-religion
seminar. Zygon, 32(3), 407–414. https://doi.org/10.1111/0591-
2385.00099
The authors described the construction and rationale of an
honors course in science and religion that was pedagogically
based on Lawson's learning cycle model. In Lawson's model, the
student writes a short paper on a subject before a presentation
of the material and then writes a longer paper reevaluating and
supporting his or her views. Using content analysis, the authors
compared the students' answers in the first and second essays,
evaluating them based on Fowler's stages of development. The
authors presented examples of student writing with their
analysis of the students' faith stages. The results demonstrated
development in stages 2 through 5.
The authors made no mention of how to support spiritual
development in the course. There was no correlation between
grades and level of faith development. Instead, they were
interested in the interface between religion and science,
teaching material on ways of knowing, creation myths,
evolutionary theory, and ethics. They exposed students to
Fowler's ideas but did not relate the faith development theory to
student work in the classroom. There appears to have been no

18. effort to modify the course content based on the predominant
stage of development, and it is probably a credit to their
teaching that they were able to conduct the course with such
diversity in student faith development. However, since Fowler's
work is based largely within a Western Christian setting, some
attention to differences in faith among class members would
have been a useful addition to the study.
Fowler's work would seem to lend itself to research of this sort,
but this model is the only example found in recent literature.
This study demonstrates the best use of the model, which is
assessment. While the theory claimed high predictive ability,
the change process that the authors chronicled is so slow and
idiosyncratic that it would be difficult to design and implement
research that had as its goal measurement of movement in a
faith development continuum.