Final Paper: Planning Your Doctoral Study Using Templates

Final Paper: Planning Your Doctoral Study Using Templates and Rubrics

Throughout this course, students are expected to develop a comprehensive plan for their doctoral study, whether it be a project study or a dissertation. The assignment involves identifying a clear problem, developing a purpose statement, framing research questions, and designing the study methodology—either quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods. Additionally, students must demonstrate how to utilize available tools such as templates, rubrics, and checklists to ensure their research aligns with academic and institutional standards. These tools are essential for maintaining consistency, coherence, and rigor throughout the research process.

The purpose of this final paper is to articulate your proposed study idea, emphasizing how the resources provided by Walden University—including templates, rubrics, and checklists—will support your study's development. You should reflect on the process of integrating these tools into your research planning, illustrating your understanding of how each element contributes to a coherent and rigorous research design.

In writing this paper, you should include an overview of your chosen problem and the significance of addressing this issue. Clearly outline your research purpose and formulate preliminary research questions that guide your study. Discuss how each template will assist you in developing your study, for example, by clarifying your research framework, aligning your research questions with your methodology, or ensuring that your proposal meets Walden’s standards. Furthermore, describe how rubrics will serve as evaluative criteria for your study’s components, fostering clarity and completeness. Lastly, explain how checklists will act as practical guides to monitor your progress and maintain adherence to required steps and standards.

Ensure your paper maintains a scholarly tone, adheres to APA formatting and citation guidelines, and is approximately three pages long. Incorporating insights from the provided learning resources will demonstrate your understanding of the tools and their application in the research process.

Paper For Above instruction

Developing a successful doctoral study begins with a clear articulation of the problem, a well-defined purpose, and precise research questions. For my proposed study, I aim to explore the impact of digital literacy on academic performance among adult learners in community colleges. The increasing reliance on digital technology, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the importance of equipping adult learners with digital skills to enhance their academic success. The significance of this research lies in identifying strategies that can improve digital fluency, thereby potentially increasing retention and academic achievement in this demographic.

The purpose of my study is to examine whether targeted digital literacy interventions positively influence the academic performance of adult community college students. This purpose aligns with the broader goal of enhancing educational equity and success among underprepared populations. My preliminary research questions include: (1) What is the current level of digital literacy among adult community college learners? (2) How do digital literacy skills correlate with academic performance? (3) What digital literacy interventions are most effective in improving student outcomes?

To develop this study systematically, I will utilize Walden’s templates to shape various components, such as the problem statement, purpose statement, and research questions. The Templates guide ensures each element is comprehensive, aligned, and formatted correctly. For instance, the template for the problem statement will prompt me to articulate the practical and theoretical significance of the issue, while the research questions template will assist in crafting clear, focused inquiries that are methodologically sound.

Rubrics will serve as evaluative tools to review and refine my study elements. By referencing Walden’s rubrics, I can assess whether my research questions are aligned with my purpose, if my problem statement is sufficiently detailed, and whether my proposed methodology is appropriate. Rubrics also help ensure that each section meets the expected criteria for clarity, depth, and scholarly rigor, ultimately leading to a more polished and defensible study proposal.

Checklists will act as practical guides throughout the process, ensuring I do not overlook critical steps such as literature review, data collection planning, ethical considerations, and timeline management. For example, a checklist for the research proposal will include confirming IRB approval, securing institutional resources, and validating data collection instruments. These tools help me stay organized, monitor progress, and adhere to deadlines, which are pivotal in maintaining a systematic research process.

In conclusion, using Walden’s templates, rubrics, and checklists will provide structure and clarity to my doctoral study. Templates will help develop initial drafts and align study components; rubrics will guide evaluation and refinement, and checklists will ensure comprehensive coverage of necessary steps. Integrating these resources into my research planning enhances the rigor, coherence, and academic integrity of my study, ultimately contributing to the development of a robust research proposal that can positively influence educational practice and policy.

References

• Walden University, LLC. (2016). Templates [Handout]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
• Walden University, LLC. (2016). Rubrics [Handout]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
• Walden University, LLC. (2016). Checklists [Handout]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
• Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
• Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice. Sage publications.
• Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford University Press.
• Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2014). Practical research: Planning and design. Pearson Education.
• Simon, M. K., & Goes, J. (2013). Dissertation and scholarly research: Recipes for success. Springer.
• Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. Sage Publications.
• Gall, M. D., Gall, J. P., & Borg, W. R. (2007). Educational research: An introduction. Pearson Education.