This document provides guidance on selecting a promising research problem for a dissertation. It outlines a process involving: 1) listing topics of interest, 2) evaluating each topic for manageability and scope, 3) identifying multiple problems within each topic, 4) evaluating each problem, and 5) choosing a main problem and alternative. Key concepts are defined, including problem situation, research problem, and research question. The document emphasizes selecting a problem that can be completed on schedule while still engaging the student's interests.

1. How
to
Select
the
Most
Promising
Research
Problem
for
Your
Dissertation

2. Topic
General
area
under
study
Problem
What
needs
to
be
studied
under
a
specific
situa5on
Three
Concepts
to
Think
About
Ques0on
What
to
answer
or
test

3. Concepts
to
Know
Problem
situa.on
The
context
that
has
called
a
researcher’s
a8en0on
within
the
topic
Research
problem
What
a
researcher
thinks
needs
to
be
studied
within
the
problem
situa0on
Problem
statement
Specific
descrip0on
of
what
intrigues
a
researcher.
Generally
speaking,
it
includes
briefly
what
it
is
already
known
about
the
problem
situa0on
and
that
establishes
the
context
from
which
the
research
problem
emerges,
what
is
unknown
and
deserves
to
be
studied
–
the
research
problem-­‐
and
why
it
is
important
to
know
about
that
problem
Purpose
statement
What
a
researcher
intends
to
find
out
or
do
in
a
study
Research
ques.on
What
a
researcher
specifically
wants
to
answer
–
or
test-­‐
conduc0ng
a
study

4. 1. List
topics
that
interest
you
2. Evaluate
each
topic
3. Iden0fy
more
than
one
problem
for
each
topic
4. Evaluate
each
problem
5. Choose
one
main
problem
to
work
with
and
another
alterna0ve
problem
as
plan
B
STEPS
FOR
SELECTING
A
RESEARCH
PROBLEM

5. List
of
Topics
for
Reading
Learning/
Instruction
Build a list of topics that
interest you
• Effective reading instruction
• Brain and reading learning
• Reading comprehension
• Learning disabilities and reading
instruction
• Reading learning and digital
natives
• The role of motivation in reading
learning
• Reading learning and technology
• Assessment of reading learning
• Teacher education and reading
instruction
• English language learners and
reading instruction
• Phonemic awareness and reading
learning
• Reading and 21st schools

6. Evaluate
Each
Topic
Note
about
manageable:
Could
you
manage
the
topic
in
terms
of
its
scope?
Is
it
not
too
broad
or
narrow?
How
do
you
know
if
you
have
a
manageable
topic?
Generally
speaking,
you
have
a
manageable
topic
when
you
are
able
to
state
clearly
a)
who
is
associated
with
the
topic;
b)
what
specific
aspect
of
the
topic
interests
you;
c)
what
loca0on
is
associated
to
the
topic;
d)
why
the
topic
is
important
(its
implica0ons
from
the
knowledge,
social,
legal,
etc
point
of
view);
and
e)
what
period
of
0me
is
associated
to
the
topic.
Of
course,
all
criteria
may
not
apply
to
every
topic.

7. Identify
Problems
for
Each
Selected
Topic
Remember
that
that
you
first
think
of
what
a8racts
your
a8en0on
because
it
is
not
working
properly
within
the
topic
(problem
situa0on).
Then,
you
reflect
on
what
you
consider
necessary
to
research
in
order
to
address
what
is
not
working
(research
problem).

8. Evaluate
Each
IdentiJied
Problem

9. What
are
your
most
promising
research
problems?
Finally, be as pragmatic as
possible. You have to finish your
dissertation in an established
period of time; therefore,
choose a research problem that
lets you finish on time. Leave
complicated ones for future
studies and always have
another very related problem
ready (plan B) in case you need
it
1. Do you really like them?
2. Do you think the selecting
process is suitable for doctoral
students to have a strong basis
to begin their dissertations?
3. What would you suggest to
refine the process?

10. Now
you
know
how
to
1. Choose appropriate
topics for
developing your
dissertation
2. Select the most
promising research
problem for your
dissertation

11. Upcoming
News/Events
Is
your
literature
working
for
you
when
you
need
it?
What
is
it
and
when
will
you
need
it?
09/29/2013
How
to
formulate
your
research
ques0ons
10/05/2013
Research
the
helps
you
develop
your
world:
Ac0on
research
+
doctoral
disserta0on
10/06/2013
Upcoming
Conferences
at
DoctoralNet:

12. Thanks
for
reading
Hope you find this conference useful and want
to meet us soon at www.doctoralnet.com