MMPA6910 Waldenu Week 3 Discussion- Research Question Homework Help
Writing
Regardless of your field, research questions are foundational to conducting a study. Clear, relevant research questions not only provide focus to a study, they also support the overall goal of research—to contribute knowledge and understanding of problems to a field of study. As a leader in public administration, public policy, or nonprofit management, it is essential to be able to develop research questions that support both your personal interests and help address problems within your field. For this Discussion, you develop a research question for your Capstone Project and analyze the viability of your research question.
Post a one-sentence research question that addresses the problem or issue you selected for your Capstone Project. Then, explain why you think the question is a viable research question for the scope of this course. Finally, describe any challenges you encountered when conceptualizing problems or issues as research questions. My final project is on The Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Policy Analysis–an in-depth assessment, analysis, and review of an existing public policy that affects a set of agencies, group of stakeholders, particular citizens, or segment of society in a significant manner. The policy can be focused on any level of government–federal, state, or local. In fact, it may be easier to offer a substantive analysis of a policy at the state or local level, due to its smaller scope and size. You must offer a thorough, detailed, and relatively comprehensive overview and analysis of your chosen public policy and its effect on particular constituents and stakeholders. This assignmment may be most appropriate for pre-service students, i.e. those not yet working in the public or nonprofit sectors.
Required Resources
Readings
- Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., Williams, J. M., Bizup, J. & Fitzgerald, W. T. (2016). The craft of research (4th ed.). Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press.
- Chapter 3, “From Topics to Questions” (pp. 35–48)
In this chapter, the authors discuss the process of narrowing an interest into a viable research question. The authors also provide quick tips on how to identify a topic of interest.
- Chapter 3, “From Topics to Questions” (pp. 35–48)
- Machi, L. A., & McEvoy, B. T. (2016). The literature review: Six steps to success (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
- Chapter 3, “Step Three: Search the Literature” (pp. 59-81)
This chapter explores step 2 of the literature review model, “search the literature.” This step consists of the following three tasks: select the literature to review, conduct the literature search, and refine the study topic. The chapter provides specific strategies and activities that support the completion of each task.
- Chapter 2, “Step Two: Develop the Tools of Argumentation” (pp. 37-57)
This chapter explains step 3 of the literature review process, “develop the argument.” The chapter details specific concepts that need to be taken into consideration when selecting literature (step 4).
- Chapter 3, “Step Three: Search the Literature” (pp. 59-81)
- Empire State College. (n.d.). Developing a research question. Retrieved August 28, 2014, from http://www8.esc.edu/esconline/across_esc/writerscomplex.nsf/0/f87fd7182f0ff21c852569c2005a47b7
- Document: Peer Review Guidelines (PDF) This document provides a list of review attributes and criteria to judge the strengths and weaknesses of research questions, and advises using diplomacy when giving feedback.
- Document: Research Question Guidelines (PDF) This document summarizes the key attributes and criteria for relevant research questions, such as clarity, focus, complexity, and directness. Proper framing of questions is also addressed.
