Theories play a vitally important role in guiding

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Northcentral UniversityComprehensive ExamCMP9500BQuestion 1: TheoryTheories play a vitally important role in guiding research and organizing and making senseof research findings. In spite of the great importance of theory-building and theory testingwithin your field of specialization, there is no generally accepted conception of what a theoryis. Because your dissertation must contribute to theory, you must have a clearunderstanding of the variety of conceptions of theory, types of theories, and ways ofcontributing to theory and be able to justify how, exactly, your study contributes to theory.Part 1Using Gelso (2006), Harlow (2009), Stam, H. (2007, 2010), Wacker (1999), and fiveadditional peer-reviewed articles from your specialization, discuss scholarly views on thenature and types of theory. Compare and contrast at least three views of what constitutes atheory, including the view you will use in Part 3 of this question. Be sure to distinguishtheory from related concepts, such as hypothesis, paradigm, model, and concept.Part 2Using Ellis & Levy (2008), Harlow, E. (2009), and five additional peer-reviewed articles,review the scholarly literature on the relationship between theory and research and theways research (quantitative and qualitative) can contribute to theory. Discuss at least threeways research can contribute to theory.Part 3Pick a theory (in one of the views of what constitutes a theory that you identified in Part 1) ofcurrent interest directly related to the topic area of your dissertation. A theory is currently ofinterest if there are articles published on it in the past five years. Using at least 10published, peer-reviewed research articles:1. Explain how the theory adds or may add to our understanding of your field and/orresearch topic.2. Discuss and analyze the literature on two areas of controversy or unanswered questionsrelated to the theory.The structure of your paper should be as follows:Title pageBody (10-15 pages, no more or less; APA Style; use appropriate headings for organization ofthe paper)References (APA Style)Learning Outcomes:1. Compose a theoretically sound and conceptually rich essay that demonstrates knowledgeof fundamental subject areas of a students academic discipline and specialization.SBoTMPage 1 of 6© 2011 Northcentral University10000 E. University Dr, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 USAwww.ncu.edu p: 928-541-7777 f: 928-541-78171-30-2012Northcentral UniversityComprehensive ExamCMP9500BQuestion 2: Practical ApplicationYour dissertation research must contribute to theory. Your research and the theory to which itcontributes may or may not have a practical benefit or application. There is no doubt,however, that there is a theory in your dissertation topic area that does have a practicalapplication.Part 1Referencing at least five peer-reviewed journal articles or scholarly books, discuss views onthe relationship between theory and application or practice. How can a theory guide orinform practice? What are the issues involved in translating theory into practice? Be sure tokeep in mind the various conceptions of theory you discussed in Question 1.Part 2Referencing at least five peer-reviewed journal articles, fully describe a theory of currentinterest in your topic area. A theory is currently of interest if there are articles published on itin the past five years. This theory may or may not be the same as the one you examined inQuestion 1, Part 3. Describe a current view of the theory, not the founders view or a classicview. Your answer should be no more than three pages long.Part 3Identify at least five scholarly articles (published in the last 5 years) that address how thetheory you discussed in Part 2 has actually been applied. (Draw on your response to Part 1 inorder to define what you mean by an application of a theory to an actual problem orsituation.) Critically evaluate the appropriateness of the uses to which the theory has beenapplied. Consider, for example: Are the applications premised upon an accurateunderstanding of the theory and its scope? Do the applications œgo beyond what the theoryclaims? Is the reasoning linking application and theory sound?The structure of your paper should be as follows:Title pageBody (10-15 pages, no more or less; APA Style; use appropriate headings for organization ofthe paper)References (APA Style)Learning Outcomes:2. Critique existing research and design a methodologically sound approach to research inthe students academic specialization(s).SBoTMPage 2 of 6© 2011 Northcentral University10000 E. University Dr, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 USAwww.ncu.edu p: 928-541-7777 f: 928-541-78171-30-2012Northcentral UniversityComprehensive ExamCMP9500BQuestion 3: ResearchThe ability to read, understand, critique, and integrate research studies and to design astudy to address a gap in the research literature is a vital tool for a doctoral student. As youwrite your dissertation, you may be reading hundreds of studies, many of which you willevaluate as part of a coherent literature review.Select five empirical articles from peer-reviewed journals that:¢ you consider critical to your understanding of your area of dissertation research¢ all address a particular phenomenon and attempt to contribute to theory about itPart 11. Describe each study, including:¢ the research problem, questions, or hypotheses¢ the research purpose¢ type of design and elements of the design (e.g., sample, data analysis,operationalization of constructs)¢ threats to validity and if and how they were addressed¢ the findings and their implications2. Critically evaluate each study: Does the author make a compelling case for the meaningand significance of the findings?Part 2Write a literature review that explains what is known and not known about the phenomenonbased on a critical evaluation of the five studies.Part 3Develop a research question that addresses one of the unknowns you identified in Part 2 andsketch a quantitative or qualitative study that can answer the question about what isunknown and contribute to theory (in some sense of theory you discuss in Question 1).Address:¢ the research purpose¢ type of design and elements of the design (e.g., sample, the type of data you needto collect and how you will collect it, data analysis)¢ the strengths and weaknesses of your envisioned design and methods¢ quantitative: threats to validity and how your design will address them¢ quantitative: the constructs you will measure and what you will do in order todetermine how to operationalize them (you need not identify specific measures)¢ qualitative: your means of ensuring the quality of your findings¢ justification for why your chosen design and methods are more appropriate for yourresearch question than alternatives you have considered¢ your methods of data analysis¢ how the data you collect will enable you to answer your research question andcontribute to theoryDraw on the additional resources for this course for guidance in understanding the concepts(e.g., internal validity, threats to validity, and operationalization) needed to address thisquestion.SBoTMPage 3 of 6© 2011 Northcentral University10000 E. University Dr, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 USAwww.ncu.edu p: 928-541-7777 f: 928-541-78171-30-2012Northcentral UniversityComprehensive ExamCMP9500BThe structure of your paper should be as follows:Title pageBody (10-15 pages, no more or less; APA Style; use appropriate headings fororganization of the paper)References (APA Style)Learning Outcomes:3. Apply relevant theory and research from the student’s specialization coursework to reallife situations where he or she solves specific problems and discusses implications.SBoTMPage 4 of 6© 2011 Northcentral University10000 E. University Dr, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 USAwww.ncu.edu p: 928-541-7777 f: 928-541-78171-30-2012Northcentral UniversityComprehensive ExamCMP9500BQuestion 4: EthicsAs you know, scientific research must be conducted in accordance with ethical principles.The ethical principles of research are defined in:Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of ConductStandard 8: Research and Publicationhttp://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspxThe National Academy Of Sciences, National Academy Of Engineering, and Institute OfMedicine Of The National Academies have a more detailed and comprehensive set of ethicalguidelines for scientific research:Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (U.S.), National Academy of Sciences(U.S.), National Academy of Engineering., & Institute of Medicine (U.S.). (2009) On being ascientist: A guide to responsible conduct in research, (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C: NationalAcademies Press.http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12192Write a paper in which you discuss how you will ensure that all aspects of your doctoralresearch, from literature review to conducting research, to writing the dissertationmanuscript will be done with care and integrity and will meet the ethical standards ofscientific research. Reference the two publications above and at least five additional peerreviewed articles.You must justify all the steps you will take to ensure the ethical integrity of your dissertationproject and not simply describe standard practice. You must show that you have your ownclear set of ethical principles and that you know how to apply them to your work. You mustdo more than just paraphrase ethical guidelines. You must explain specifically how you willapply published ethical guidelines and concepts to what you will do in your research (as youenvision it at this point).Be sure to address the following:¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢PlagiarismRisk assessmentInformed consentPrivacy and confidentialityData handling and reportingMistakes and negligenceWorking with a MentorNorthcentral University requirements for IRB approvalConclude your paper with your thoughts on the following statement:Ethical scientific researchers have a commitment to all who are touched by their research”participants who share their lives and time, mentors and advisors, reviewers, future readers,and supporters and cheerleaders on the journey”to take care and do their work well.The structure of your paper should be as follows:SBoTMPage 5 of 6© 2011 Northcentral University10000 E. University Dr, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 USAwww.ncu.edu p: 928-541-7777 f: 928-541-78171-30-2012Northcentral UniversityComprehensive ExamCMP9500BTitle pageBody (10-15 pages, no more or less; APA Style; use appropriate headings fororganization of the paper)References (APA Style)Learning Outcomes:4. Integrate knowledge of ethical practices with principles of professional practice as itapplies to specific scenarios within the student’s academic discipline and specialization.SBoTMPage 6 of 6© 2011 Northcentral University10000 E. University Dr, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 USAwww.ncu.edu p: 928-541-7777 f: 928-541-78171-30-2012

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