Strategic Diversity Education for Management Research Plan Desiree Peterson Advanced Qualitative Research November 27, 2016 Research Plan Management Education Email: Instructor: Stephanie Fraser-Beekman   INSTRUCTIONS Dissertation Research Plan QUALITATIVE STUDIES ONLY SoBTProficient - 85% Criteria Purpose The purpose of this document is to provide insight into expectations for successful completion of Milestone 5. Specific instructions about using the Qualitative Dissertation Research Plan form are found in the form itself. Expectations of performance ratings are detailed in each section of the document. Sections in this document correspond directly to sections in the Qualitative Dissertation Research Plan form. At the end of this document you will find the 16 evaluation criteria including performance rating descriptions at each level (Non-Performance, Basic, Proficient, and Distinguished). Scientific Merit Overall scientific merit of the Dissertation Research Plan (DRP) based on three overarching criteria: 1. Advances the scientific knowledge base. 2. Makes a contribution to research theory. 3. Meets certain “hallmarks” of good research methodology. The specifics of scientific merit are further described in the DRP Rubric. DRP Rubric The DRP Rubric is used to determine whether the research plan meetsthe scientific merit criteria. Each performance level is described for each“core” criteria in the rubric. **All Rubric criteria must be assessed at the “Proficient”85% level or greater to obtain approval. DRP Rubric Scale: Non- performance Basic Proficient Distinguished 0% 70% 85% 100% Based on the rubric, the reviewer will designate theDRP as one of the following: Approved or Not Approved. Reviewers provide feedback specific to each criterion that was marked Non-performance or Basic. Learners will also find other helpful resources in the feedback document. Reviewers will use the SoBT Proficient – 85% Criteria in this document to help them define the “minimum” requirements for each DRP section. Milestone 5 (SMR approval) is achieved with a rubric score of 85% and all performance criteria marked Proficient or Distinguished. SoBTProficient - 85% Criteria This document is a “supplement” to the DRPRubric by providing additional details on the “definition” of Proficient - 85% for each DRP Sectionin the DRP template. The 85% criteria are intended to “assist” both SoBTlearners and faculty in assessing a DRP to ensure it meets the “minimum” requirements of scientific merit. Resource Documents Programs of Research SoBT PhD Dissertation Guidebook 16 Evaluation Criteria **Note – This document describes the criteria for QUALITATIVE DRPs. If you are proposing a quantitative study use the SoBT Proficient – 85% Criteria for quantitative studies. Learner and Program Information (to be completed by Researcher) Researcher Name Desiree Peterson Researcher Email [email protected] Researcher ID Number 2049193 Mentor Name Marc Muchnick Mentor Email @capellauniversity.edu Specialization Management Education Spec Chair Email Methods Member Writing/QA Member   Section 1. Topic Endorsement 1.1 Research Topic (2 paragraphs) FIRST PARAGRAPH: Describe the specific topic to be studied. SECOND PARAGRAPH: describe the significance of this topic to your program/field (e.g., Psychology, Counseling, Business, Technology, Public Service Leadership, Education, etc.) AND your specialization within your program. The Research Topic should be correctly formed:  The Research Topic should be appropriate for the specialization.  The Research Topic should use appropriate language for key concepts/phenomena.  Relationships between/among the concepts should be clearly specified (e.g., correlation).  The target population should be named  The concepts should be appropriately focused. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resources. Management Education of Strategic Diversity Training in an Organizational Setting a Qualitative Study Effective diversity management can be associated with ahigher level of employee affective commitment (Ashikali and Groeneveld, 2015). The research problemto be studied focuses onhow much strategic management diversity training will be enough to positively affect the stakeholders of a business. An organization will support diversity training to reduce or eliminate discrimination based on stereotypes and judgmental biased practices (Thelen, 2012) which are counterproductive. Stakeholders are instrumental in the training process of diversity management. Stakeholder-based training evaluations can serve as an approach and model for the identification of diversity training needs (Guerci and Vinante, 2011). Management training classes are developed to provide an organizational consistency and improvement. According to Thelen (2012), newer managers are culturally different from existing managers, with entity theories as opposed to senior managers which reflect on incremental theory. Diversity awareness training can inform managers to be mindful ofthe different cultural beliefs and interpretations of such common principles.The traditional research conducted on workplace management, displays deficiencies in measurement methods and hidden cultural features (Airo and Nenonen, 2014).The managers of an organization will need to identify and address diversified tactical issues as the issues become prevalent and have a negative effect on the employees, consumers,and the organizational owners. The negative effect of defective ……..The importance of studying the results of strategic diversity training for managerial employees of an organization is to identify how effective is the training. The mandated training classes will or will not be accepted by management employees that have been employed with an organization for at least three years. Diversity training may be implanted due to an incident that occurred at that organization or another organization of the same category. Management education and diversity training classes correlate together because education can provide insight on an issue before it occurs within an organizational structure.Murtuja explains “quality has become a necessity for existence” (2013, p. 103). Management education is important to assess and address for optimal employee satisfaction and retention. An organizations diversity policies can inform all employees ofcultural acceptance and boundaries that will need to be respected. The targeted population of the study will be the managers and employees of an organization. 1.2 Research Problem (1 Paragraph) Write a brief statement regarding the need for the study that fully describes the problem or need being addressed. The “need for the study” is what we often refer to as the Research Problem. In simplified terms, the research problem should take this form: “The research literature on _________ indicates that we know ________, we know __________, but we do not know ______________.” The Research Problem should be correctly stated:  Existing literature and key findings should be summarized  Gaps or problems in the existing literature should be clearly formulated  The Research Problem should be explicitly stated, not implied. . • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resources. The need for the study to provide evidence to an organization the financial benefits of spending time, money and effort on diversity training classes for managers. The research literature on diversity indicates that we know management education, we know diversity training, but we do not know how effective training classes will benefit the organization. The specific gap in the research entails the benefits and associated with implementing training classes for managers about diversity. The phenomenon of the need for diversity training in recent times is evident for every organization. Grounded theory will be used to analyze diversity training. Two studies will be conducted one for employees of managers and a study for managers of an organization.Managers attitudes towards diversity training classes can be influenced by providing an understanding of diversity values (Reynolds, Rahman and Bradetich, 2014). Section 2. Research Overview 2.1 Research Problem Background (3 paragraphs) Provide a brief SUMMARY of your review of the research literature on the topic. This should include citations from at least 10 articles, but should indicate that you have performed a full review of the literature (minimum of 75 articles) on the topic. This should be demonstrated by providing a statement about the body of existing literature on the topic, then, summarizing recent research findings on the topic, highlighting the findings that are most relevant to your proposed study, demonstrating how your proposed research could add to the existing literature on the topic. Be sure to provide appropriate in text citations and include references in the reference section. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resources. • This will not be your full dissertation literature review but an initial foundation. You will continue to add to your literature review throughout your dissertation process. The chosen research problem which is in the field of business management specializing in management education. Problems to be reviewed for research is the association and application process of diversity training into a management training protocol in a criminal justice field of employers. Risberg and Soderberg explains the universal misconception of the understanding of diversity management (2008). The problem to be researched is should an employer spend resources educating managers about diversity, and what will be the benefits for the employer? What are the benefits of diversity education for managers of an organization? The purpose of this research is to explain the importance of educating managers about diversity in the workplace despite the cost associated with training. Diversity management is a subject that needs to be taught in order for the concept to be understood (Risberg and Soderberg, 2008). The need for diversity training classes can explain by explaining a number of purposes. The reason why the research needs to be conducted about problem, posed by a question, defined by a purpose, synthesized or fused by a literature review. Ethnic minority managers have not valued diversity training considerably more than non-minority counterparts as well as the difference in genders (Reynolds et al, 2014). 2.2 Research Question List the primary Research Question. Your Research Question (s) should be correctly formed:  The Research Question(s) should be aligned with your Research Problem, the Research Topic, and the Dissertation Title.  There should be separate Research Question(s) and/or subquestions identified for each intended analysis.  The Research Question(s) should be phrased in a way that it can be answered by the intended methodology and analyses. • Define the terms of the research question referencing the definitions with references from the literature. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resources. What, if any, are the benefits of management development by implementing strategic management diversity training classes within an organization? The research question seeks to identify the advantages of diversity training classes will have for an organization, employees and the managers of a business. The research question identifies the benefits of using money to fund yearly diversity training classes. Employees will benefit from managers that have received diversity training. 2.3 Purpose of the Study State the purpose of the study.The purpose of the study will be to answer the research question in order to solve the research problem and to contribute information about the wider social or community problem to a specific audience or audiences. Note: Describe thepurpose using the language of your specific study, topic, research problem, and research question. The purpose of the study is to gain an understanding of the direct benefits of diversity awareness in an organization. The employees of the managers are going to be able to identify what type of change will be reasonable. The manager will be able to establish guidelines for employees to follow and boundaries that cannot be crossed. The manager’s perception of the benefits of training classes on the subject of diversity within the employer. 2.4Methodology and Basic Design Overview Provide an overview of the basic research methodology and the research model proposing. Also state how this methodology is a good fit for the question being asked and the phenomena being studied. • Describe the qualitative methodology (for example phenomenology) and research model (for example Giorgi – empirical phenomenology or Moustakas – transcendental phenomenology) you propose to use. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resource. The methodology that will be used is qualitative research methods. The grounded theory will be utilized with a constructivist approach. Giorgi empirical study will be examined for reference of the phenomena. Giorgi methods are based on a phenomena to continue to build up on the methodology of solid philosophical grounds (Englander, 2016). 2.5 Dissertation Title Your Dissertation Title should be correctly formed:  Dissertation Title should be aligned with your Research Problem (1.4) and Research Question (1.5), (use the same terminology for all).  The Dissertation Title should reflect the key variables or constructs to be studied.  The Dissertation Title should reflect the method to be employed in the research.  The Dissertation Title should be concise (12 words or less). Management Education of Strategic Diversity Training Classes in an Organizational Setting a Qualitative Study Section 3.Research Theory 3.1 Advancing Scientific Knowledge Demonstrate how the study (a) will advance the scientific knowledge base; (b) is grounded in your field; and (c) addresses something that is not known, something that is new or different from prior research, something that extends prior research, or something that fills a gap in the existing literature. Describe precisely how your study will add to the existing body of literature on your topic. It can be a small step forward in a line of current research but it must add to the body of scientific knowledge in your specialization area and on the topic. To respond to this question you will need to: 1. Provide a paragraph that describes the background for your study and how your research question relates to the background of the study. 2. Then, in a second paragraph discuss previous research and demonstrate exactly how your study (answering research question) will advance the scientific knowledge base on this topic. Include in-text citations and place the references in the reference section. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resources. Proficient – 85% Criteria • Describes how the answer to the research question(s) helps to fill the gap in the literature identified in the problem (1.2) and purpose (2.3). o Identifies and describes the key theories that provide the foundation for the study o Describes in a diagram and text the theoretical or conceptual framework including key constructs and relationships • Aligned with the specific theory gap identified in the problem statement 1.2 • Describes the specific contribution to theory and how it advances scientific knowledge. • Discussion supported with peer-reviewed references related to the specific theories. 3.2 Theoretical Implications Describe any theoretical implications that the proposed study may have for understanding phenomena. For example, will the study generate new theory, provide a description of the lived experience of the participants or provide a description of a cultural phenomena? • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resources. Proficient – 85% Criteria • Describes how understanding of the phenomenon/experience/event under study: o Relates to and represents an addition to current theory  Explains the contribution to building theory and whether it is the inductive development of new or revise frameworks or deductive explorations of existing frameworks and theories. o Enhances conceptual understanding of phenomenon/experience/event • Discussion supported with peer-reviewed references related to the specific theories. 3.3 Practical Implications Describe the practical implications that may result from your research. Specifically, describe any implications the research may have for understanding phenomena for practitioners, the population being studied, or a particular type of work, mental health, educational, community, stakeholders or other setting. Relate these back to the your Research Problem. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resources. Proficient – 85% Criteria • Explains how the knowledge created by the study will inform those in practice with regard to the phenomenon/experience/event as expressed by the research problem o Identifies how the contribution will help address the symptoms in the problem identified in 1.2 o Identifies what practitioners will be able to do, or do better, once they have the benefit of the new insights described in 3.1 and 3.2 • Discussion supported with peer-reviewed references specific to the problem and theories. Section 4. Research Methodology 4.1 Research Design Describe the qualitative design (for example grounded theory) and research model (for example Strauss and Corbin or Charmaz – constructivist grounded theory) you propose to use, supported and referenced by primary sources. Describe in detail the method(s) will you use to collect the data, such as: structured, unstructured, and semi-structured interviews, journaling, letters, pictures, observations, field notes, focus groups. Describe the philosophy underlying the methodology and model. Briefly describe how the study will be conducted. (Describe how you are going to carry out the study.)  The Research Design should be clearly identified.  The Research Design should be appropriate to the Research Question. *Use primary sources as resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resources. Information collected regarding conceivable outlooks can be nothing else than well-justified or credible opinions (Kuusi, et. al., 2015). Qualitative research methods consists of discovering lived occurrences of contributors based on past experiences. Developing material that will contribute to a plan for research includes using strategies that will relate to an interviewees past occurrences which may have a positive or negative effect on the study. 4.2 Population and Sample Describe the characteristics of the larger population from which the sample (study participants) will be drawn. Include sampling strategy such as purposeful.State the estimated sample size needed for the study. Justify the sample size with support from the literature. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resources. The sampling methods that will be used is participants in a management capacity of an organization which will being trained for diversity. Managers, approximately twenty participants, which have been employed for at least one year but under ten years, or non-probationary, with the same corporation will be used for the study. Drawing from a community created for purposive sample known as theoretical sampling, recruited specifically for a research study (Gina Marie, 2004). Recruitment strategies can be expensive and also impact the foundation of the organization that will be used for research, so cost-effective and minimum influence measures will be considered (Chlebowski, et. al., 2010). Recruitment will be approached through email for anonymous volunteers to websites such as Survey Monkey. Survey Monkey offers tools to guide researchers to promote a high turnover rate with a marketing service called Mail Chimp (Ramanthan and Faulkner, 2015). The emails will be motivational and give an explanation of the significant impact the completed research will influence a notable change. 4.3 Ethical Considerations Describe any ethical considerations given the sample, population, and/or topic. Please explain as fully as possible (i.e., How do you plan to protect human participants while identifying the sample, while collecting the data, while analyzing the data, after data are collected, and during data storage?) Is the proposed population or research topic greater than minimal risk? 0 Yes 0 No If yes, has the researcher had a consultation with the IRB office? 0 Yes 0 No If yes, please paste the IRB’s e-mail response or a summary of the response. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resources. Phenomenology, according to Gina Marie (2004), is a qualitative method which seeks to expose the significance and quintessence of a given phenomenon. The ethical qualitative research of the basic principles and practices include respecting the privacy of the individuals which choose to take part in the survey, no names or personal information will be presented in the results of the study.   Section 5. Research Data 5.1 Data Collection - Sampling Procedures Describe in detail each step that you will take from the beginning of recruitment to consent from the participants to participate. You must provide specific details and present the details in the order in which they will occur. You must include all of the following (if applicable): • The recruitment site(s), acknowledgement of any permissions needed from the sites, and if there is an IRB at any of the sites. • All of the means by which recruitment will occur (i.e., flyers, e-mails, social media) • How potential participants will contact you. • How the potential participants will be screened and how you will proceed if they do qualify and if they do not qualify for the study. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resources. Any participant that was not solicited and wish to take part in the survey will not be denied the opportunity to express the gained opinion which may have surfaced during employment. Permission will be requested from any organization that is targeted by the research that will be conducted. Individuals will not be subject to discrimination practices and this will be monitored by offering a private means of communication if any type of adverse situation arises. The information received regarding any type of trend noticed after the data has been collected and tabulated, will be released when the research has been completed. Identifying ethical considerations that may have revealed issues will be immediately addressed with the proper governing authorities. 5.2 Data Collection Procedures Describe where and how will you get the data and describe the exact procedure(s) that will be used to collect the data. This is a step-by-step description of exactly how the research will be conducted. This should read like a recipe for the data collection procedures to be followed in your study. Be sure to include all the necessary details so that someone else will be able to clearly understand how you will obtain your data. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. **Use APA style in citing all resources Participants will be solicited on websites such as Linkedin. An email will be sent out requesting participation in a survey. Basic scenarios will be provided regarding the anticipation of the implementation of diversity training classes. Managers and employees will be solicited for this research. Employees of an organization that will participate in the study will need to have at least three or more years of continuous employment at the same employer. Participants will be told the interview will be recorded and the information will be kept on the interview and will be destroyed after seven years of publication. 5.3 Guiding Interview Questions Describe the interview method will you use and how you will conduct the interviews. List the guiding interview questions to be used in the qualitative interviews with the participants. Provide a rationale for how and why you are using the interview technique you will use to address the primary research question. Be sure to discuss the results of any field test that was conducted as a part of the process of developing the final version of the guiding interview questions. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. •Use APA style in citing all resources The interview questions will align with the purpose of the study by providing the opinion of diversity training classes. The conversation will entail how diversity training class will raise awareness and inclusiveness in the organization. Raising awareness of diversity issues that can arise will enlighten organizational owners on the benefits of creating diversity policies and training. The results of the field test conducted displayed need to examine why managers should be mandated to complete diversity training classes yearly. 5.4 Data Analyses Provide a step-by-step description of the procedures to be used to conduct the data analysis. Support this process by identification and reference to primary descriptive sources, such as Moustakas, Giorgi, Stake Yin, Charmaz, or Braun et al. Check that that the data analysis process is consistent with the accepted analytical steps for the specific qualitative methodology chosen to conduct this study. If you plan to use Qualitative data analysis software, list the software you will use and describe how it will be used. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. •Use APA style in citing all resources The specific data analysis that will be used is Skype. Any problems that may be discovered will be immediately addressed and a new software will be utilized. Cisco WebEx will be a replacement platform used for the interview process. Cisco WebEx is one of the primary web conferencing solutions which offers the ability to rent a timeslot for numerous ventures including video and audio conferencing, web content screen sharing and live surveys (Jahn, Piesche and Jablonski, 2012). WebEx is a classroom environment duplicated by an online platform (Jensen, 2006), which brings teaching from a distance to learning simultaneously as a group. Cisco uses webinar technology such as Cisco WebEx to enable collaboration between employees, partners and customers though social networking tools (Ramaswamy, 2010). WebEx provides a set of resources which makes e-learning as likeable and functional as face-to-face learning for organizations in numerous countries around the world. 5.5 Role of the Researcher Provide a description of the researcher’s pre-understandings, preconceptions and biases about the topic and about how the researcher will set them aside? • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. • Use APA style in citing all resources. The role of the researcher is to provide evidence that increased respect will be gained when diversity training has been implemented into organizational training procedures. Diversity training class can be given in a face-to-face setting. Any biases of the researcher will be set aside to identify cultural differences of employees of the organization. 5.6 Credibility, Dependability and Transferability Present a strategy to ensure credibility, dependability, and transferability in the proposed study. Because the researcher is the primary instrument of research in qualitative studies, describe how you will establish credibility for the research. Describe the training and experience you have in regards to your methods for collecting and for analyzing your data. Credibility refers to confidence in the accuracy of the data as reported as well as a systematic and thorough interpretation by the researcher. Credibility involves carrying out the study in a way that enhances the believability of the findings of the data over time and over conditions. Credibility is assessed by how well you demonstrate your understanding of your research methodology and how well you apply the methodology to data collection and data analysis. Credibility is assessed by how well you demonstrate your understanding of your research methodology and how well you apply the methodology to data collection and data analysis. Describe how you will demonstrate your expertise in regards to your research design. Transferability is demonstrated by showing that the sample fairly represents the target population, as well as by showing that the sample participants have the knowledge, experience, or expertise necessary to provide information that the discipline or field and the target population would find meaningful in regard to the topic. Dependability is demonstrated by providing clear, detailed, and sequential descriptions of all procedures and methods, such that another researcher could repeat each of them faithfully. • Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements. Use APA style in citing all resources Researcher bias is subject to discrimination and possible modifications. Eliminating bias can be achieved by soliciting an equal and diverse group of participants, in a management position of three organizations in the same industry. The preferred field of study pertaining to the organization would be law enforcement or correctional facilities. Randomly selecting participants with a systematic approach will be appropriate (Bernard and Ryan, 2010). In order to illuminate bias or possible threats to the study, researchers can use anonymous soliciting services to target a mixed type of population. Qualitative research techniques might obligate investigators to apply relative research questions that are crucial in developing a change (Marshall and Rossman, 2016).   Section 6. References In the field below, provide your references for the research about your topic, and key theorists/researchers associated with the selected methodology. You will continue to build on this list of references for your Chapter 1 Background of the Problem, Chapter 2 Literature Review and Chapter 5, where you will discuss your findings in the context of the literature. *Use APA style for all references. Proficient – 85% Criteria • The topic areas including conceptual framework must be supported with 20 to 25 solid peer reviewed references. • Of those topic related references, 15 must be dated within the last 5 to 7 years at the time of DRP submission for approval. • The research methodology sections must be supported with 10 to 15 solid peer reviewed or research method specific references. • The most recent versions should be cited. 16 Criteria # RP Criteria Non-performance Basic Proficient Distinguished Criterion Proficiency Wrights > 0.00 3.50 4.25 5.00 Wt 1 Topic Endorsement The research topic is appropriate for the specialization and correctly formed: Key concept(s) or phenomena are stated in appropriate language; Relationships between/among the concepts are clearly specified (e.g., correlation, etc.). The target population is named; the concepts are appropriately focused. DRP (1.1) One or more elements of the topic statement are incorrectly formed. Topic not endorsed by learner's specialization. All elements of the topic statement are correctly formed, but one or more elements is unclear or too broadly focused. Topic not endorsed by learner's specialization. The research topic is appropriate for the specialization and correctly formed: Key concept(s) or phenomena are stated in appropriate language; Relationships between/among the concepts are clearly specified (e.g., correlation, etc.). The target population is named; the concepts are appropriately focused. DRP (1.1) All elements are exceptionally well-formed, eloquently stated and appropriately focused; and there are no errors in APA-compliant grammar, usage or spelling. Topic endorsed by learner's specialization. 7% 2 The research problem is correctly stated; Existing literature and key findings are summarized; Gaps or problems in the existing literature are clearly formulated; The research problem is explicitly stated, not implied. DRP [1.2, 2.1] The research problem statement lacks either a summary of what is known or a summary of what is not known, or the research problem itself is not explicitly stated. Both key findings and gaps or problems in the existing are stated, but the research problem itself is not explicitly stated. The research problem is correctly stated; Existing literature and key findings are summarized; Gaps or problems in the existing literature are clearly formulated; The research problem is explicitly stated, not implied. DRP [1.2, 2.1] The research problem is eloquently stated; Existing literature and key findings are summarized and well supported; Gaps or problems in the existing literature are clearly formulated; The research problem is explicitly stated, not implied, and there are no errors in APA-compliant grammar usage, or spelling. 7% 3 Research Overview The research questions are correctly formed: The research questions are aligned with the research problem, the research topic, and the title; Separate research questions and/or subquestions are identified for each intended analysis; The research questions can be answered by the data derived from the intended analysis. DRP [2.2] The research questions are not aligned with the research problem, research topic, title, and/or analyses. The research questions are aligned with one or more, but not all of the other elements of the study (research problem, research topic, title, and/or analyses). The research questions are correctly formed: The research questions are aligned with the research problem, the research topic, and the title; Separate research questions and/or subquestions are identified for each intended analysis; The research questions can be answered by the data derived from the intended analysis. DRP [2.2] The research questions are exceptionally well-formed: The research questions are aligned with the research problem, the research topic, and the title; Separate research questions and/or subquestions are identified for each intended analysis; The research questions can be answered by the data derived from the intended analysis, and there are no errors in APA-compliant grammar usage, or spelling. 13% 4 The basic methodology is named and is correctly selected for the research problem and question. DRP [2.3] The basic methodology is unnamed. The methodology is named but is incorrect for the research problem and question. The basic methodology is named and is correctly selected for the research problem and question. DRP [2.3] The basic methodology is named and is correctly selected for the research problem and question, and its selection s logical and well supported. 7% 5 The title is correctly formed: It is aligned with the research question, it reflects the key variables or constructs to be studied, it reflects the method to be employed in the research, and it is concise (12 words or less). DRP [2.4] One or more elements of the title are incorrectly formed. All elements of the title are correctly formed, but one or more elements is not aligned with the other elements of the study. The title is correctly formed: It is aligned with the research question, it reflects the key variables or constructs to be studied, it reflects the method to be employed in the research, and it is concise (12 words or less). DRP [2.4] The title is exceptionally well-formed, eloquently stated, and fully aligned with the research question; It reflects the key variables or constructs to be studied; It reflects the method to be employed in the research, and it is concise (12 words or less). 3%   6 Research Theory The contribution to the field, including theoretical and practical implication, is articulated clearly. DRP [Qual 3.1-3.4, Quant 3.2-3.4] The contribution is not articulated and both theoretical and practical implications are missing. The contribution is articulated clearly but either theoretical or practical implications are missing; or both implications are included, but the contribution is not articulated clearly. The contribution to the field, including theoretical and practical implication, is articulated clearly. DRP [Qual 3.1-3.4, Quant 3.2-3.4] The contribution to the field, including theoretical and practical implications, is articulated clearly and completely. 7% 7 The theoretical framework is articulated clearly and is appropriate for the specialization and topic. DRP [Quant 3.1] The theoretical framework is not articulated. The theoretical framework is articulated clearly and is appropriate for the specialization and topic. (Quant 3.1) The theoretical framework is articulated clearly and is appropriate for the specialization and topic. DRP [Quant 3.1] The theoretical framework is clearly and fully articulated, and is appropriate for the specialization and topic. 13% 8 Research Method The research design is clearly identified and is appropriate to the research question. DRP [4.1] The design is either not clearly identified or it is inappropriate for the question. The design is clearly identified OR is appropriate for the question, but not both. The research design is clearly identified and is appropriate to the research question. DRP [4.1] The research design is clearly identified and is appropriate to the research question, is logical and well-supported. 7% 9 The sampling plan is stated fully, including the design, its method, and estimate sample size. DRP [Quant 4.2, 4.3] The sampling plan is missing. The sampling plan is incomplete, or it is complete, but at least one element is incorrect or inappropriate for the research design or question. The sampling plan is stated fully, including the design, its method, and estimate sample size. DRP [Quant 4.2, 4.3] The sampling plan is stated fully, including the design, its method, estimate sample size, how the sample size was estimated, and includes a recruitment plan. 7% 10 The ethical challenges related to the specified sampling plan are discussed fully. DRP [Quant 4.4] The ethical challenges in the sampling plan are not discussed. The ethical challenges related to the specified sampling plan are discussed in a general way, but the challenges are not directly applicable to the proposed study. The ethical challenges related to the specified sampling plan are discussed fully. DRP [Quant 4.4] The ethical challenges related to specified sampling plan are discussed fully, providing specific examples and well thought out strategies for addressing them. 7% 11 Research Data Data collection methods are described, are appropriate to the design, will provide the data necessary to answer the research question, and are supported by appropriate references. DRP [Qual 5.1-5.2, Quant 5.8] Data collection methods are not described. Data collection methods are either insufficiently described, are not appropriate for the design, or will not provide data necessary to answer the question. Data collection methods are described, are appropriate to the design, will provide the data necessary to answer the research question, and are supported by appropriate references. DRP [Qual 5.1-5.2, Quant 5.8] Data collection methods are described in detail, are appropriate to the design, will provide the data necessary to answer the research question, and are supported by appropriate references. 7% 12 Data analysis methods are described, are appropriate to the design, will allow the research question to be answered, and are supported by appropriate references. DRP [Qual 5.5, Quant 5.10] Data analysis methods are not described. Data analysis methods are described, but are not appropriate to the design or will not answer the research question. Data analysis methods are described, are appropriate to the design, will allow the research question to be answered, and are supported by appropriate references. DRP [Qual 5.5, Quant 5.10] Data analysis methods are clearly described and well documented, are appropriate to the design, will allow the research question to be answered, and are supported by appropriate references. 7% 13 Refs The reference list is correctly formatted according to APA 6th edition. (6.0) The reference list contains less than 25 entries and/or is not correctly formatted according to APA 6th edition. The reference list contains a minimum of 25 citations and/or is not correctly formatted according to APA 6th edition. The reference list is correctly formatted according to APA 6th edition. (6.0) The reference list is comprehensive, within scope, and correctly formatted according to the APA 6th edition and has no errors. 3% 14 All Sources are correctly cited using APA 6th edition. Sources are not correctly cited using APA 6th edition. Sources are inconsistently cited according to APA 6th edition format standards, containing more than two errors. Sources are correctly cited using APA 6th edition. he reference list contains a minimum of 75 entries and is correctly formatted according to the APA 6th edition and has no errors. 3% 15 The writing in each item is sufficiently scholarly in tone, and contains few editorial or mechanical (grammar, usage, typography, etc.) errors. The writing is insufficiently scholarly in tone, and contains more than two editorial or mechanical errors per page. The writing is sufficiently scholarly in tone and contains fewer than two editorial or mechanical errors per five pages. The writing in each item is sufficiently scholarly in tone, and contains few editorial or mechanical (grammar, usage, typography, etc.) errors. The writing in each item, is sufficiently scholarly in tone and in, and contains no editorial or mechanical (grammar, usage, typography, etc.) errors. 3% 16 The Research Plan form is complete: Study information is filled out, all the items have been completed, and there is a reference list. The Research Plan form is Incomplete, lacking more than half of the required items. The Research Plan form is incomplete, lacking no more than four items. The Research Plan form is complete: Study information is filled out, all the items have been completed, and there is a reference list. The Research Plan form is complete; Study information is filled out; all items have been completed, and there is a reference list. Ideas presented are exceptionally well thought out, well-supported, and has no errors in APA compliant grammar, usage, or spelling. 1% TOTAL % 100%   References Airo, K., &Nenonen, S. (2014). Review of linguistic approach in the workplace management research. Facilities, 32(1), 27-45. 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