Posted: April 24th, 2025

WEEK 2 DISCUSSION MR

 I UPLOADED IN THE FILE HOW THE ASSIGNMENT SHOULD FLOW AND ALSO THE ACCEPTABLE TOPICS FOR MY PROGRAM THAT U CAN SELECT FROM!

 INSTRUCTIONS!!

This week you considered study topics deemed acceptable for your program. For this discussion, share with your peers your initial thoughts on a topic you’d like to pursue and choose one of the following for your post:

SELECT ONE OF THE OPTIONS BELOW TO FURTHER DISCUSS THE TOPIC YOU CHOOSE FROM THE LIST OF ACCEPTABLE TOPICS

• Share topics that seem to speak to the question you’re interested in answering. Are there other topics you might choose instead? How or why would you be persuaded to change your mind?
• Discuss questions other researchers have raised about your topic. How do their questions compare to yours?
• Discuss questions you have about the list of approved topics. How might you get your questions answered?
• As we wrap up this week, share a key takeaway from your program’s list of approved topics that is immediately relevant to your own project.

Example of how the assignment should flow!!

Discussion of the topic should begin with a topic sentence like this: “The topic for the
proposed study is…” (The topic statement should not be the same as your question.) This
paragraph should include descriptive sentences that provide your reader with a clear
overview of the topic supported with literature from evidence-based, peer-reviewed journal
articles.
Example: The topic for the proposed study is resiliency among first-generation college
students at four-year colleges. Describe resiliency, first-generation college students, and
four-year colleges, supporting each description and citing that support.
Having clearly named, described, and supported each element of the topic, articulate the
link between your topic and the field of your program as well as your specialization. The
most effective way to demonstrate your topic’s significance is to link it to the growing
body of peer-reviewed literature related to your topic. A dissertation or capstone is an
independent, original piece of scholarship; you want to connect your proposed work
explicitly to the acceptable topics and methods for your program. Cited support is
required.
The problem takes the form of a miniature literature review. Often this section is best
organized using subheadings for each concept, phenomenon, or variable you plan to study.
This is a brief summary of important findings related to your study—it should be evident
that you are well-versed in the scholarship of literature on your proposed topic. The
problem is also a good place to connect the target population in a deeper way to your
topic if you have not done so.
The reference section should be in perfect APA style. This section should include
supporting references (articles cited in your Project Plan). Most projects will have 35 or
more references listed by the end of the course.
Instructions
Consult the Acceptable Topics and Methods and Project Plan Guide provided by your
program for specific expectations for the following sections. Be sure to update the reference
list as you add resources to support your project development. Use the Project Plan Template
to structure your assignment as follows:
Topic
Describe the specific topic to be studied. Provide a brief synthesis of recent literature on
the topic and clearly identify the target population, variables, and/or concepts under study.
Ensure that the topic is grounded in a problem and aligned with your program of study.
Example: The topic for the proposed study is the effect of transformational leadership
on organizational citizenship behavior among employees in health care organizations.
Describe transformational leadership, organizational citizenship behavior, and employees
in health care organizations. Support and cite the support for each of these descriptions.
Describe the significance of this topic to your program or field (business, counseling,
education, technology, public service leadership, psychology, social work, and so on) and
your specialization within your program if applicable.
Correctly form the topic.
Use appropriate language for key concepts/phenomena addressed by the topic.
Clearly specify relationships among the foundations (quantitative method).
Identify and define the specific concepts or foundations to be explored (qualitative
method).
Name the target population.
Focus the concepts appropriately.
Use scholarly literature to explain what is known and unknown about this topic. Report the
actual study findings (not implications or recommendations) from recent (5–7 years from
expected date of graduation), peer-reviewed articles, and seminal works to explain the
current status of the topic and to show the gap in understanding that you propose to fill.
Problem
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 often referred to as the project or research
problem. Correctly state the problem:
Summarize existing literature and key findings.
Clearly formulate gaps in the existing literature or problems in practice.
Explicitly state, rather than imply, the project or research problem.
State the theoretical or conceptual framework with source.
In simplified terms, the project or research problem might take this form: “The scholarly
literature on _________ indicates that ________ is known and __________ is known, but
what is not known is ______________.” Write out the problem statement and theoretical
foundation.
Quantitative problem statement example: “The proposed study will examine the
extent to which (independent variable) influences (dependent variable) among
(population) (moderated/mediated by [variable]). X Theory (citation) will serve as the
theoretical framework of the proposed study.”
Qualitative problem statement example: “The proposed study will seek to ________
(understand, describe, develop, discover) how [concepts/theory foundations] have
addressed the ________ (central phenomenon, experience/event, process) for _______
(the target population). The tenets of Y theory (citation) will serve as the conceptual
framework of the proposed study.”
Example: “This qualitative generic inquiry study will explore how Maslow’s hierarchy
of needs’ foundations of physiological and safety needs are associated with the
perceptions of post-Covid 19 unemployed job seekers toward job hunting.

Last Revised 6/30/2022

Acceptable Topics and Techniques

This document outlines the theoretical orientations, topics, techniques, and populations appropriate and
feasible for doctoral learner capstone projects and dissertations within the Doctor of Information
Technology program.

Doctor of Information Technology
The Doctor of Information Technology degree program is designed for experienced professionals seeking
to advance in their careers as senior technology managers, consultants, researchers, or teachers.
Throughout the program, you will integrate information technology and research with practice, and
develop expertise in IT, cybersecurity, and managing IT projects.

Selecting a Topic for Your Doctoral Project
An acceptable doctoral capstone or dissertation topic is aligned with your program, avoids significant
participant risks, represents a refinement or improvement over current best practice, and is feasible.

Capella University is committed to helping doctoral learners identify potential challenges related to
feasibility. An important consideration for topic selection is whether it is feasible to complete the proposed
doctoral capstone or dissertation within the timeframe of your degree. These challenges can add a significant
amount of time to a learner’s degree completion or result in doctoral capstones or dissertations that cannot be
completed.

The theories, topics, and techniques acceptable and feasible for doctoral projects in the program align closely
to the profession, coursework, and faculty expertise. In completing your project, you will gain a deeper
understanding and mastery of a particular theoretical orientation and topic at the doctoral level.

While not an exhaustive listing, the following sections detail those theories, topics, and techniques that meet
the criteria for being both acceptable and feasible for doctoral projects within the program. Please work with
your faculty instructor and/or mentor to ensure that your topic is appropriate for the DIT program.

Projects and dissertations that lie outside the scope of the guidance provided here will need to be vetted by
the Program and Research Director for further determination of relevance, rigor, and feasibility. In some
cases, the Dean of the School of Business, Technology, and Health Care Administration will need to
approve the topic.

Last Revised 6/30/2022

Acceptable Project Techniques

Project techniques Sources of data Type of analysis Sample size (participants)
Generic qualitative
inquiry

Interactive, real-time
interviews, with each
participant interview
lasting 45-60 minutes.

Thematic analysis Approximately 10-12

Quantitative Surveys (validated,
peer-reviewed
instruments only;
learners may not create
their own surveys)

Regression analysis Requires a G*Power
analysis to identify
appropriate sample size

Note. Called project techniques in Professional Doctorate programs but called methods and designs in the
research courses and PhD programs. In very rare cases, project techniques other than those listed above may be
approved by the SoBTH Program Director and Research Director. For approval, the learner must show that (1)
none of the techniques listed above will adequately address the project topic, (2) they thoroughly understand the
technique that they want to use, (3) they have the knowledge, skill, and resources needed to successfully use the
proposed technique with minimal support, and (4) they understand and accept the potential risks, effort, costs,
and delay that may accompany the use of a non-standard technique. Learners must work with their mentor to
prepare their case and schedule a Zoom meeting with the SoBTH Program Director and Research Director for
approval of any project technique not listed here.

Research Designs Explained (Project Techniques)

Recommended Theoretical Orientations*
• Boundary object theory • Complexity theory • Critical success factors theory
• Diffusion of innovations theory • General systems theory • Information processing theory
• International information • Media richness theory • Process virtualization theory

systems theory
• Technology acceptance model • Technology dominance theory • Unified theory of acceptance and

use of technology
• Work systems theory • Behavioral decision theory • Social cognitive theory
• Disruptive technology theory • Equity theory • Contingency theory
• Absorptive capacity theory • Cognitive load theory • Social learning theory

Recommended Acceptable Program Topic Areas*
• Corporate social networking • Information technology • Internet of Things (IOT)

infrastructure for big data
• Blockchain • Artificial intelligence • Cybersecurity
• Agile methods in project • Project management office • Leadership skills in project

management, including scrum approach to portfolio management
management
• Access control • Business continuity and disaster • Cryptography

recovery planning

https://capellauniversity.libguides.com/ebookmethods/DesignsExplained

Last Revised 6/30/2022

• Employee monitoring • Enterprise information systems • Information security governance
security and risk management
• Operations security • Social networking/privacy • Security architecture and design
• Cloud Computing • International education in • Using technology to enhance

information technology learning
• Using technology to support • Business intelligence and • Customer engagement and social

teaching and teaching analytics media
administration

*This is not an exhaustive list. It is meant to provide thoughts on appropriate topics to pursue. Refer to current,
relevant, respected professional publications and peer-reviewed journals for identification and justification of
proposed topics.

Avoid Significant Participant Risks
All research involving human subjects involves some degree of participant risks. Even doctoral capstone
projects that do not involve human subjects research as defined by the federal regulations may present risks to
the individuals involved. Doctoral projects involving significant participant risks will not be approved.
Carefully review Assessing Participant Risk in Research to understand how to assess potential topics for risk
and mitigate risk. When selecting a doctoral capstone or dissertation topic, learners should avoid topics
involving significant participant risk, including those which might be considered highly “sensitive” or involve
highly vulnerable populations. Certain topics are also prohibited at Capella.

Library Guides

Research assistance, subject guides, and useful resources compiled by Capella librarians can be found within
the Capella Library.

• Library Guides

http://assets.capella.edu/campus/doctoral-programs/UnderstandingResearchRisks

https://capellauniversity.libguides.com/

Resource List on Project Techniques*