Title
Concept Paper
Submitted to Northcentral University
Graduate Faculty of the School of XXXXXXXXXXX
in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of
DOCTOR OF XXXXXXX
by
NAME
Prescott Valley, Arizona
Month Year
Table of Contents [Note: this is a non-inclusive sample and will vary depending on your
subheadings]
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..1
Statement of the Problem………………………………………………………….1
Purpose of the Study………………………………………………………………1
Brief Review of the Literature…………………………………………………………….2
Research Method………………………………………………………………………….3
Appendix: Annotated Bibliography……………………………………………………….6
ii
1
Introduction
[Text… Dissertation topic is introduced in one or more paragraphs (2 pages
maximum). The study topic is briefly described to establish the main ideas and context.
Note: Topic must reflect doctoral level study and the specific program.]
Statement of the Problem
[Text… Present general issue/observation that in theory or practice leads to the
need for the study (in most cases scholarly citations within the last 5 years are included).
Present focused problem that leads to the need for a research response. Clearly describe
and document the problem that directly leads to the study purpose. For some degree
programs (DBA, EdD) the problem identified might be a practical problem or issue in an
organization or school.]
Purpose of the Study
[Text… Research method is identified as qualitative, quantitative, or mixed
method. Research design is clearly stated and is aligned with the problem statement.
Identification of variables/constructs and/or phenomenon/concept/idea:
Quantitative research variables/constructs are briefly identified (including
potential confounding variables, covariates, mediating variables, etc.). Research
variables/constructs are identified and cited, if appropriate.
Qualitative research identifies a single phenomenon, concept, or idea that will be
studied.
Mixed Method research includes all of the above.
Specific population of proposed study is identified. The number of
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participants that will serve as the sample should be estimated based on a power
analysis (quantitative/mixed method) or conventions (qualitative) as detailed in
chapter 3. Geographic location of study is identified.]
Research Questions
[Text…]
Q1.
Q2.
Hypotheses (Quantitative/Mixed Studies Only)
H10. [Null Hypothesis Text…]
H1a. [Alternative Hypothesis Text…]
Definition of Key Terms
[Text (optional)… ]
Term 1. Definition (APA citation).
Brief Review of the Literature
[Text… Discussion has depth and presents a critical analysis and synthesis of the
literature that provides a context for the dissertation study. Discussion is comprehensive,
organized, and flows logically. Use themes and/or subtopics as headings. Identify the
themes or sub-topics around which the literature review has been organized into a
coherent narrative discussion. In the review, at least 7 to 10 of the most important works
or studies that touch upon the dissertation topic or problem are discussed. Be sure to
include works that provide alternate or opposing perspectives on the proposed topic area
to demonstrate unbiased research. Learners focus particularly on those works that
address main ideas in the field, describe areas of controversy, and indicate areas of
3
incomplete knowledge and relate them to the envisioned study’s problem, purpose, and
research questions. Include historical and germinal works as well as current works
(within the last 5 years).
Theme/Sub-Topic 1 [Repeat, as needed…]
[Text…]
Summary
[Text…]
Research Method
[Text… Here discuss the proposed research method (quantitative, qualitative, or
mixed). In this section the appropriateness of the method and design are substantiated
and includes a brief discussion of why the method/design(s) was/were chosen over
others. Discussion is not simply a listing and description of research designs; rather,
elaboration demonstrates how the proposed method and design accomplish the study
goals, why the design is the optimum choice for the proposed research, and how the
method aligns with the purpose and research questions. Be sure to provide a brief
discussion of the proposed data collection and analysis procedures. Provide appropriate
foundational support for the proposed study design; for example, refer to Moustakas and
other appropriate authors to describe a phenomenological design.
Note: Avoid introductory research design and analyses descriptions as well as excessive
reference to textbook authors such as Creswell and Trochim.
Operational Definition of Variables (Quantitative/Mixed Studies Only)
[Text (optional)… Identify each of the primary constructs associated with the
proposed topic, problem, research question(s), and hypotheses. Include a brief overview
4
of how each will be operationally defined for the proposed study]
Construct/Variable 1. Description/Operational Definition.
Describe each variable, the nature of the variable (e.g., nominal, ordinal, interval),
how each variable will vary (e.g., the range (1 – 5, 0 – 100) or levels (low, medium, high;
male, female) and the data sources (e.g., archival data, survey items, and if appropriate,
how the items will be combined to form the variable construct). Consult research design
sources and ensure that the nature of each variable is appropriate to the proposed
statistical analyses.
Measurement
[Text…Provide a brief description of how study data will be collected, measured
and analyzed. Describe the proposed instrument. Please note that survey selfdevelopment should be considered only after an exhaustive search for an existing
validated instrument and will require a multi-step pilot and validation process. Although
a detailed description is not required at the CP stage, the variables must demonstrate
appropriateness to the study purpose and meet the assumptions of the proposed statistical
tests. For qualitative studies, describe the proposed instrument or collection (e.g.,
interviews, observations), and how concepts will be coded and analyzed as appropriate to
the proposed design. Include appropriate support for the application of the proposed
design. Consult research design and analysis sources including those available in the
Dissertation Center for guidance.]
Summary
[Text…]
5
References
Reference 1
Reference 2
Reference n…
Instructions: This section of the Concept Paper is a list of references cited in text,
including the literature review. All resources cited in the concept paper must be included
in the list of references.
List all references in APA format with the exception noted below. For each reference
listed, there should be at least one corresponding citation within the body of the text, and
vice-versa.
Formatting: Single space each reference citation, along with a .5 inch hanging indent;
double space between consecutive references in the reference list (See the Dissertation
Handbook located in the Dissertation Center for NCU exceptions to APA format).
Tips: Sort in alpha surname/title order. Only capitalize the first word of the title and of
the subtitle, if any. Do not bold the title. Know when to italicize and when not to (i.e.,
periodical/non-periodical/publication versus book/report/paper). Italicize volume (i.e.,
Journal Name 4, pp. 12-22.)
Note: APA6 Requires Digital Object Identifier (DOI), if one has been assigned (see page
191).
Example (note single-space references, with double-spacing in-between):
Winslade, J., & Monk, G. (2001). Narrative mediation: A new approach to conflict
resolution. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Ahn, J. (2004). Electronic portfolios: Blending technology, accountability and
assessment. T.H.E. Journal, 31(9), 12-18.
U.S. Government Printing Office. (2006). Catalog of U.S. Government publications:
New electronic titles.
6
Appendix
Annotated Bibliography
Reference 1
Annotation 1
Reference 2
Annotation 2
Reference n…
Annotation n…
7
Common Errors to Avoid
1. Paper margins: 1.5 inches on left – remaining at 1 inch (see formatting resources
available in the Dissertation Center)
2. The research questions should not be stated so as to be answerable with a “yes/no”
response.
3. There must be a direct alignment from the topic to the purpose to the research
question(s)/hypotheses to the proposed method and design.
4. Avoid anthropomorphism – page 69 of APA – giving human qualities to inanimate
objects.
An unacceptable example: the organization stated –
A better solution: the leaders of the organization stated
5. Avoid long sentences, fragmentation, and grammatical errors. Configure your MS
Word software to perform Grammar and Spell checking (i.e., Tools/Options/Spelling
& Grammar/, set the Writing Style option to Grammar and Style), or use the F7 key
in MS Word to identify areas for improvement.
6. Whenever presenting information as factual, or that is not considered common
knowledge, or represents concepts obtained from an outside resource, ensure that an
appropriate citation and corresponding reference have been added. Citations add
support and validity for your paper and avoid potential plagiarism (refer to the NCU
Writing Center for further information). Numbers in the paper usually require a
citation to give validity to the information. An example, 3 out of 4 teachers will retire
in the next decade (Smith, 2007).
7. Per pp. 65-66 of the APA Publication Manual, use past tense for discussing
literature, an action or condition that occurred at a specific time in the past. Jones
(year) published or Smith (year) stated, because this was said or completed in the
past.
8. Avoid emphasis on the authors (e.g. the author stated... authors indicated…) and
instead shift the focus of the sentence to the main ideas and key findings. Use
straightforward, declarative statements and cite authors parenthetically.