Alignment Audits and Modifications Good alignment across your study components is critical for several reasons. A well-aligned study will have methodological rigor, meaning your research will be of higher scholarly quality and the knowledge to be generated will bring more value to your discipline. A well-designed study will reflect that you have a solid understanding of the nature of the proposed research and the application of a given research method and research design to your topic. A well-aligned study will support implementation of the research plan with fidelity to the research design, helping you to achieving your research objectives and answer your research questions. A well-aligned Prospectus is much more likely to be approved by your chair, committee member, and/or URR, allowing you to move forward with your dissertation research.. As you work towards completing the first full draft of your Prospectus, now is the time to assess your complete work. In order to correct for misalignment, you must first assess your study components, element by element, for congruence to identify where misalignment exists. Complete Activity 1, Activity 2, and Activity 3, all of which are found in this week’s Learning Resources. With these thoughts in mind: Post the following: All three completed Activity documents, which function as an alignment audit of your work and required modifications to your Prospectus draft, if any, to take place based upon your audit A completed Change Matrix form, which, if completed correctly, will evidence that you successfully integrated the feedback from your peers (when appropriate to do so) and various Real Time Updates and guidance postings made by the Instructor to you and your classmates during Weeks 2 through 5. Please note that the grading rubric for this Discussion includes criteria and point values for the change matrix activity. Points will be earned based upon how well prior revision requests and recommendations are integrated into this Discussion posting. 1 Week 5 Discussion 2: Activity 3 Now that you have assessed your study components, element by element, for congruence, and you identified corrections for misalignment, the next step is to bring the different aspects of your study back into alignment. Complete a new alignment table to assess alignment of your modified study. Be careful, when modifying one element to correct for misalignment with another element, the revised wording could result in introducing a misalignment with a previously aligned element. Element Pre-Audit* Element Alignment** Problem Statement Research Gaps Research Objectives Research Questions Research Method and Design Research Methodology © 2016 Laureate Education, Inc. Page 1 of 1 1 Week 5 Discussion 2: Activity 2 Based on your evaluation in Activity 1, complete this summary table indicating which elements are in good alignment. Identify which elements need to be modified to achieve alignment and what is the.

1. Alignment Audits and Modifications
Good alignment across your study components is critical for
several reasons. A well-aligned study will have methodological
rigor, meaning your research will be of higher scholarly quality
and the knowledge to be generated will bring more value to
your discipline. A well-designed study will reflect that you have
a solid understanding of the nature of the proposed research and
the application of a given research method and research design
to your topic. A well-aligned study will support implementation
of the research plan with fidelity to the research design, helping
you to achieving your research objectives and answer your
research questions. A well-aligned Prospectus is much more
likely to be approved by your chair, committee member, and/or
URR, allowing you to move forward with your dissertation
research..
As you work towards completing the first full draft of your
Prospectus, now is the time to assess your complete work. In
order to correct for misalignment, you must first assess your
study components, element by element, for congruence to
identify where misalignment exists. Complete Activity 1,
Activity 2, and Activity 3, all of which are found in this week’s
Learning Resources.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post the following:
All three completed Activity documents, which function as an
alignment audit of your work and required modifications to your
Prospectus draft, if any, to take place based upon your audit
A completed Change Matrix form, which, if completed
correctly, will evidence that you successfully integrated the
feedback from your peers (when appropriate to do so) and
various Real Time Updates and guidance postings made by the
Instructor to you and your classmates during Weeks 2 through
5. Please note that the grading rubric for this Discussion
includes criteria and point values for the change matrix activity.

2. Points will be earned based upon how well prior revision
requests and recommendations are integrated into this
Discussion posting.
1
Week 5 Discussion 2: Activity 3
Now that you have assessed your study components, element by
element, for congruence, and you identified corrections for
misalignment, the next step is to bring the different aspects of
your study back into alignment. Complete a new alignment table
to assess alignment of your modified study. Be careful, when
modifying one element to correct for misalignment with another
element, the revised wording could result in introducing a
misalignment with a previously aligned element.
Element
Pre-Audit*
Element Alignment**
Problem Statement
Research Gaps
Research Objectives
Research Questions
Research Method and Design

3. Research Methodology
© 2016 Laureate Education, Inc.
Page 1 of 1
1
Week 5 Discussion 2: Activity 2
Based on your evaluation in Activity 1, complete this summary
table indicating which elements are in good alignment. Identify
which elements need to be modified to achieve alignment and
what is the nature of the revision.
Element
Alignment
1 (Poor) to 5 (Excellent)
Description of Revision Needed to Ensure Alignment
Problem Statement
Research Gaps
Research Objectives
Research Questions
Research Method and Design

4. Research Methodology
© 2016 Laureate Education, Inc.
Page 1 of 1
Week 5 Discussion 2: Activity 1
Evaluate the alignment of each of the elements of your study
with the other elements of your study.
Element
Pre-Audit*
Element Alignment**
Problem Statement
Research Gaps
Research Objectives
Research Questions
Research Method and Design

5. Research Methodology
*Pre-Audit = Verbatim wording of the element from the
Prospectus or key words and phrases from the wording of the
element used to assess alignment
**Element Alignment = State whether the element is aligned
with each of the other elements and why. Comment by Sarah E.
Hedges: Should this be how it is aligned vs. why?
© 2016 Laureate Education, Inc.
Page 1 of 1
MGMT 8990
Source of the Change
Requested Change
Resolution

19. PhD in Management Preliminary Prospectus Rubric
The preliminary prospectus is worth a total of 285 points.
Satisfactory (84–105 points)
Unsatisfactory (0–83 points)
Problem Statement—Justification
20 points maximum
The proposed problem statement cites relevant statistics,
documentable discrepancies, and/or other scholarly facts that
point to the significance and urgency of the problem.
20
The proposed problem statement does not sufficiently cite
relevant statistics, documentable discrepancies, and/or other
scholarly facts that point to the significance and urgency of the
problem.
Problem Statement—Grounded in the Literature
20 points maximum
The proposed problem statement is framed in a way that will
enable the researcher to either build upon or counter the
previously published findings on the topic. This includes
appropriately articulating the problem statement within the
context of a theoretical or conceptual framework and framing it

20. in such a way that the new findings will have implications for
the previous findings.
20
The problem statement is not framed in a way that clearly builds
upon or counters the previously published findings on the topic.
An appropriate theoretical or conceptual framework has not
been identified or its use (or lack of use) has not been
sufficiently explained. It is unclear or unstated how any new
findings will have implications for previous findings.
Problem Statement—Originality
20 points maximum
The proposed problem statement provides evidence of a gap in
the research literature that justifies the study and discusses the
potential significance of the study.
20
The proposed problem statement does not provide sufficient
evidence of a gap in the research literature that justifies the
study. It does not present a clear statement regarding the
potential significance of the study.
Problem Statement—Amenable to Scientific Study
15 points maximum
The proposed problem statement is framed in the context of a
systematic inquiry that permits multiple possible conclusions.
15
The problem has not been framed in the context of a systematic
inquiry that permits multiple possible conclusions. The framing
of the proposed problem statement reveals bias and/or a
foregone conclusion.
Research Question
30 points maximum
Key research questions are summarized.
10
Research questions are not summarized. The nature of the study,
specific research questions, hypotheses, or research objectives

21. are not concisely and clearly described. The purpose of the
study is not logically explained.
The nature of the study, specific research questions, hypotheses,
or research objectives are concisely and clearly described.
10
The purpose of the study is expressed in a logical, explicit
manner.
10
Satisfactory (84–105 points)
Unsatisfactory (0–83 points)
Research Design
65 points maximum
The research design section identifies and justifies the use of a
specific research design, indicating whether the research project
uses quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods (hybrid).
25
The research design section does not identify and/or does not
justify the use a specific research design.
The statistical tools or processes to be used are not clearly
detailed.
The appropriate variables or concepts in the context of the study
have not been identified.
The statistical tools or processes to be used are clearly detailed.
20

22. The appropriate variables or concepts in the context of the study
have been identified.
20
Data and Validity
40 points maximum
The research design includes a discussion on potential data to
be collected.
20
The research design does not include a discussion on the
potential data to be collected.
Preliminary thoughts for ensuring the validity, accuracy, and
ethics of potential data gathered are not detailed.
Preliminary thoughts for ensuring the validity, accuracy, and
ethics of potential data gathered are detailed.
20
APA Style and Grammar
45 points maximum
Satisfactory (36–45 points)
Unsatisfactory (0–35 points)
The assignment is logically and comprehensively organized,
using subheadings where appropriate. Summaries are used to
help the reader follow the material.
10
The assignment is devoid of logic and organization. The
assignment lacks summaries, making it difficult for the reader
to follow the material. The assignment is not well formatted,
lacking a scholarly appearance. The assignment contains
numerous spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. Direct
quotes, paraphrasing, facts, and references to research studies

23. are not cited properly. In-text citations are not properly entered
in the reference list.
The format of the assignment has a professional, scholarly
appearance.
10
The assignment is written with correct grammar, punctuation,
and spelling.
10
The appropriate citations for direct quotations, paraphrasing,
facts, and references to research studies have been
implemented. In-text citations are found in the reference list.
15
Writing Style and Composition
30 points maximum
Satisfactory (24–30 points)
Unsatisfactory (0–23 points)
The assignment is written in scholarly language (accurate,
balanced, objective, and tentative). The writing is clear, precise,
and avoids redundancy.
15
The assignment is not written in scholarly language (lacks
accuracy, balance, and objectivity). The writing is redundant
and lacks precision. Topic sentences are not established for
paragraphs. Sentences and paragraphs do not flow. Links
between ideas are not clearly defined.

24. Statements are specific, and topic sentences are established for
paragraphs. The flow of words is smooth and comprehensible.
Bridges are established between ideas.
15
Satisfactory (228–285)
Unsatisfactory (0–227)
Points Earned