Conducting research is a complex process that requires extensive planning. Selecting a dissertation research topic is one of the most important steps. Aspiring researchers can identify a topic by reading widely in their area of interest and paying close attention to suggestions for further research. They should conduct a close review of existing literature to determine what is known and unknown about the topic, and identify a gap in previous research. Developing a valid research problem involves asking questions that build upon and advance past work. Researchers must also carefully plan their timeline to meet graduation requirements and deadlines.

2. ü Conducting research is a complex, demanding and challenging
process.
ü One can be familiar with different paradigms of inquiry but not
know how to actually undertake the task of planning and
effectively proposing an investigation (Locke, Spirduso &
Silverman, 1987).
ü Given the challenge, complexity and rigor of conducting
research, selecting a dissertation research topic becomes one
of the most critical steps in the process of conducting research
(Ovando, 2010).
ü Aspiring scholars can be successful by initially completing
certain activities to identify a research topic (Ovando, 2010).

3. • Read extensively focusing on the general area of your
research study.
• Select those pieces, “articles or chapters,” that relate
to your research topic.
• Pay close attention to suggestions/implications for
further research.
• Identify potential questions/problems related to your
topic.

4. • Complete selective (close-up) reading:
þ Review of the literature/theoretical background.
þ Purpose & questions.
þ Methodology (research design, sampling, respondents,
limitations, delimitations).
þ Develop a graphic organizer that includes the above, if
possible.
þ Locate a void in the area of your research topic. What
gaps exist in previous research?
þ Complete additional reading with a focus on the specific
research gaps.

5. Characterization of Your Topic
Keep in mind that your research idea might…
Ø Not necessarily be new.
Ø Have a historical development/historical background.
Ø Address a specific gap in the area of your interest.
Ø Enhance/expand/contradict/confirm/advance a new
perspective.
Ø Contribute to knowledge/practice/development.
Ø Raise additional questions and/or highlight new problems.
Ø Be only one piece of a larger puzzle.

6. Research as a Puzzle

7. Pulling the puzzle together
(Ovando, M.N., 2002)

8. Finding a Valid Research Problem
1) Review existing literature to determine “what is already
known” and “what is not known.”
2) See if your research will:
ü Address suggestions for further inquiry.
ü Replicate a study in a different setting or with a different
population.
ü Observe how various subpopulations might behave differently in the
same situation.
ü Apply an existing perspective or explanation to a new situation.
ü Explore unexpected or contradictory findings in previous research.
ü Challenge research findings that fly in the face of what you know or
believe to be true.
(Neuman, 1994)

9. 3) Attend professional conferences to learn what is hot and what
is not in a specific field, and talk to researchers who are
working in your area of interest.
4) Scan conference programs to see what others are
investigating and what additional questions may be asked.
5) Ask questions like:
ü What needs to be done?
ü What burning questions are still there?
ü What previous research findings don’t make sense?
(Leedy & Ormrod, 2001)
The statement of a problem should lead to the purpose of
your study and specific research questions.

10. Asking Research Questions
1. The causal question: Does it work?
Does the intervention being considered “cause” a particular outcome
to change.
2. The Process question: How does it work?
What are the processes or interactions that mediate the causal
relationship? This may require “thick descriptions” of a
phenomenon.
3. The usability question: Will it work for me?
What are the context variables of the studies, and is generalization
possible?
4. The evaluation question: Is it working for me?
How is it doing? Does it make sense to modify, sustain or expand the
program/intervention?
Is the intervention/program doing what it is supposed to be doing?
Source: McEwan, E. K. & McEwan, P. J. (2003). Making sense of research: What’s good, what’s not, and how to tell the
difference. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, Inc.

11. Ø Verify all the requirements and stages/steps from
proposal to graduation.
Ø Prepare a time line according to the year/
semester you wish to graduate.
Ø Verify both University and department calendars
and deadlines.
Ø Schedule time for every activity related to your
time line.
Ø Be disciplined in following your timeline.

12. Advancement
Enroll in
Deadline GSC to
June July August Dissertation
(August) (September) Candidacy
Hours
(online application)
Work on Schedule Present Submit Advancement
Approves Two
Proposal Proposal Proposal to to Candidacy
Draft Meeting Committee Application Candidacy Semesters
Before Proposal Meeting
* At least 3 weeks before the meeting, your Chair
should approve the 3 chapters of your proposal.
* At least 2 weeks before proposal date,
distribute copies to all your Committee Members.
Apply to Schedule Final Oral
Chair must
graduate Final Defense
Approve Spring
earlier Defense (at least 1 week
Dissertation Deadline
in the spring (2 weeks prior to May
Report Draft May
semester prior to date) deadline)
Graduation!!