Focus: Identify and refine a specific, researchable problem, and begin documenting literature sources to support the problem's significance and to identify gaps.

Required Reading:

1. A Four-Stage Framework for the Development of the Research Problem Statement in Doctoral Dissertations
2. Challenges of Finding and Filling a Gap in the Literature
3. Framework for Identifying Research Gaps for Future Academic Research
4. Identifying a Research Problem and Question, and Research Relevant Literature

Focus: Develop the literature-based gap, select an appropriate theory, model, or concept from the seminal source, and connect the framework to the problem and study direction.

Required Reading:

1. Understanding, Selecting, and Integrating a Theoretical Framework in Dissertation Research
2. Literature Reviews, Theoretical Frameworks, and Conceptual Frameworks: An Introduction for New Biology Education Researchers
3. Distinguishing between Theory, Theoretical Framework, and Conceptual Framework: A Systematic Review of Lessons from the Field
4. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework: Mandatory Ingredients of a Quality Research

Focus: Use the theoretical framework to define study components. Quantitative learners identify variables and instruments; qualitative learners identify and define the phenomenon of interest.

Required Reading:

• No assigned required readings. Use peer-reviewed sources aligned to your dissertation topic from your Literature Review Matrix to answer discussion questions and complete assignments.

Pre-Recorded Lectures:

• Watch the pre-recorded lectures for this week before completing the discussion questions and assignments.

Focus: Justify the selected methodology and research design using authoritative sources and draft research questions aligned to the problem, purpose, and framework.

Required Reading:

• No assigned required readings. Use peer-reviewed sources aligned to your dissertation topic from your Literature Review Matrix to answer discussion questions and complete assignments.

Pre-Recorded Lectures:

• Watch the pre-recorded lectures for this week before completing the discussion questions and assignments.

Focus: Draft the dissertation alignment document that demonstrates alignment among the ten critical components, and prepare to revise based on feedback.

Required Reading:

• No assigned required readings. Use peer-reviewed sources aligned to your dissertation topic from your Literature Review Matrix to answer discussion questions and complete assignments.

Pre-Recorded Lectures:

• Watch the pre-recorded lectures for this week before completing the discussion questions and assignments.

Focus: Revise the dissertation alignment document based on feedback and communicate the aligned study clearly through a final visual presentation and a structured reflection.

Required Reading:

• No assigned required readings. Use peer-reviewed sources aligned to your dissertation topic from your Literature Review Matrix to answer discussion questions and complete assignments.

Pre-Recorded Lectures:

• Watch the pre-recorded lectures for this week before completing the discussion questions and assignments.