BUS-7102 v2 Module 4: Narrowing Your Research Topic
Module 4: Narrowing Your Research Topic
Module Introduction
Welcome to Module 4: Narrowing Your Research Topic
This module is important because choosing a research topic can be complicated, or it can be easy. With some exceptions, there are a seemingly limitless number of possible research topics. Students often overcomplicate the topic selection and then oversimplify the methodology decision. This section will allow you to dive into both topics.
This section will discuss how to choose research topics, and then ultimately narrow it down to a single one. You will develop this topic into a brief research plan that will hopefully be used to guide you through your research. You will also introduce a possible theory that will frame your study, along with a possible methodology and population or data source. While you will learn more about methods in later classes, this introductory exposure will help keep the topics front and center in your mind as you read research articles. You will start to see patterns in the methodology and will discover why some methods are used, while others are excluded.
As you explore this section, remember that you are not expected to be an expert at this stage. The goal is to begin a thought process. It is likely that this topic will be your doctoral topic, but you may change it. You may also choose a different methodology or focus after consulting with your future mentor. This section taps into the doctoral learning process as it will require you to research topics that you are only hearing about for the first time. Using resources like the library, Google, YouTube, and others, you can develop your library skills.
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Course Resources
This course uses a Course Library Guide (LibGuide) to provide you centralized access to all your readings, videos, and other course learning materials. The centralization of any e-books, library articles, and outside resources will hopefully be more convenient for you, as well as allow us to ensure a high level of availability for course learning materials throughout your program of study. You can access the LibGuide via the Course Resources link located in the top menu alongside other quick links (i.e., Dropbox, Grades, Bookshelf, etc.).
Developing an Applied Business Research Topic
This lesson is important because determining an applied research topic can be a quick or lengthy process. Some students come into their DBA with a topic in mind, but many students struggle to choose a topic.
When choosing a topic, consider the following:
Select each item to learn more.
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Expertise
What is your employment history? Are you a human resources manager? Do you have experience with project management? What issues do you experience in your job that may be worth studying? A human resources manager might wish to study the retention of millennials due to the inability to maintain this demographic.
Program Specialization
You must choose a topic that is aligned with your specialization. If you are specializing in marketing, your topic must have a marketing component.
Interest
Many individuals will tell you that by the time you finish your program, you will loathe your topic due to the sheer amount of time you spend on the topic. Consider a topic that is of interest to you. Maybe you want to start a new business and choose to explore strategies entrepreneurs can use to maintain viability for the first 5 years.
The Potential for Future Benefit
Some students consider topics that could benefit them for future employment opportunities. A student wishing to become an expert in sustainable green business might choose a topic that allows them to develop expertise, such as strategies to implement sustainable practices in a specific industry.
Provided the topic is both a business and an applied topic, most will work for a doctoral program if the research can be performed within the program’s timeline. General guidelines are to choose a topic that interests you, but not one in which you are overly invested in the outcome. You should avoid a topic if you cannot readily accept the outcome. For example, a student involved in union activism wishing to perform a study that shows unionization decreases unemployment would likely need a different topic as there is a strong likelihood that the student’s personal bias could intentionally or unintentionally corrupt the design, data collection, data interpretation, and results. The topic itself demands the desired outcome. Such a study would be better suited for a student with no preconceived bias asking the question “what effect does unionization have on unemployment?” Look for a topic you can approach objectively.
Be sure to review this Lesson’s resources carefully. You are expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.
Lesson 7 Required Resources
Articles
• NU Finding a Research Topic
• Narrowing Your Dissertation Topic
Allen, B. (2018). Narrowing your dissertation topic: Purple toenails. The Center for Teaching and Learning.
• Top 10 Skills for Self-Development as a Doctoral Learner
Allen, B. & Bakari, M. (2023). Top 10 skills for self-development as a doctoral learner. The Center for Teaching and Learning.
• A “plan B”: When and how to Develop Your Alternative Research Project.
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Assignment 7: Present Three Applied Business Research Topics
Instructions
For this assignment, you will present three fundamentally different applied business topics that align with your specialization and personal expertise. These should be topics you would like to study.
In Lesson 8, you will explore one in more detail. Provide justification that the topic is both business and applied. Explain why the topic is worth researching. Each topic and discussion should be about a page in length. Include an introduction and a conclusion.
Length: 4 pages, not including title and reference page
References: Include 6 peer-reviewed journals, 2 per topic.
Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards.
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