This document provides instructions for completing Milestone 3 of the dissertation process, which is to develop a purpose statement. It explains that the topic and problem being analyzed can often be stated as an umbrella question, which is the overarching research question. An example umbrella question is provided: "Do transformational leaders influence the ethical values and behaviors of followers?". The document instructs that the purpose statement should be 1-2 pages and summarize the key pieces from topic refinement and problem statement development to clarify and support the purpose of the study. It should be posted to the Milestone 3 submissions area and the chair notified once submitted.

1. Instructions
Milestone 3: Purpose Statement
Work with your chair to determine any specific instructions or
guidance that he or she may have for you.
The topic you are refining and the problem (gap) you are
analyzing can often be stated as an umbrella question. An
umbrella question is the big picture that guides your research. It
is your high-level research question. Think of it this way: Your
topic selection has led you to a gap in the literature. The gap in
the literature can be stated as a question. Your research will
need to stay on task to answer that question. In other words, it
helps you understand the purpose of your study.
Let's consider an example again. Previously, sample topic
refinement emerged by adding the subtopic "ethics" to a main
topic "transformational leaders." Suppose that your preliminary
review of the literature discovered several statements touting
the idea that transformational leaders raise the ethical values
and behaviors of followers. However, also suppose that you
have been unable to locate any empirical research testing the
proposed relationship between transformational leaders and the
ethical behaviors of followers. Accordingly, you may have
located a gap in the literature, a problem, or research that needs
to be conducted (which your problem research work explained
and justified in the previous task). Thus, your umbrella question
might be: "Do transformational leaders influence the ethical
values and behaviors of followers?"
You will need to design and conduct your research to answer
the question. The umbrella question clarifies your research
purpose.

2. Remember the Note of Caution: Let the literature speak! In
other words, as your refine your topic, look for the gap, build
the umbrella question, and (eventually) construct your
theoretical frame, be careful not to make the literature say what
you want it to say. Stay disciplined. Stay open. Let the
literature lead you to your conclusions.
Submission Details:
Present your purpose statement in a 1- to 2-page paper. You do
not need to include all of your work from topic refinement and
problem statement development in the purpose statement.
However, summarize the key pieces and include "just enough"
to clarify and support your purpose.
Use APA style in preparing your paper and citing references.
Post the purpose statement to the
Milestone 3 Submissions Area
.
Notify your chair (e.g., e-mail) when you have submitted the
topic paper.
Note: A successful dissertation requires self-directed behaviors.
To successfully pass each dissertation course, you must
successfully complete (pass) each milestone presented in the
course materials. Additionally, you must complete the
milestones in the order they are presented in the course. The
tasks in some milestones may take you more than a week to
complete. Finish each milestone before you move on to the next
milestone. In your planning, also allow time for feedback from

3. your dissertation chair/committee and revisions as part of
completing each task.