CMP9400B Northcentral University Comprehensive Exam use as a guide

only

Question 1: Theory

Theories play a vitally important role in guiding research and organizing and making sense of research findings. In
spite of the great importance of theory-building and theory testing within your field of specialization, there is no
generally accepted conception of what a theory is. Because your dissertation must contribute to theory, you must
have a clear understanding of the variety of conceptions of theory, types of theories, and ways of contributing to
theory
and
be
able
to
justify
how,
exactly,
your
study
contributes
to
theory.
Part
1
Using Gelso (2006), Harlow (2009), Stam, H. (2007, 2010), Wacker (1999), and five additional peer-reviewed articles
from your specialization, discuss scholarly views on the nature and types of theory. Compare and contrast at least
three views of what constitutes a theory, including the view you will use in Part 3 of this question. Be sure to
distinguish theory from related concepts, such as hypothesis, paradigm, model, and concept.
Part
2
Using Ellis & Levy (2008), Harlow, E. (2009), and five additional peer-reviewed articles, review the scholarly literature
on the relationship between theory and research and the ways research (quantitative and qualitative) can contribute
to
theory.
Discuss
at
least
three
ways
research
can
contribute
to
theory.
Part
3
Pick a theory (in one of the views of what constitutes a theory that you identified in Part 1) of current interest directly
related to the topic area of your dissertation. A theory is currently of interest if there are articles published on it in the
past
five
years.
Using
at
least
10
published,
peer-reviewed
research
articles:
1. Explain how the theory adds or may add to our understanding of your field and/or research topic.
2. Discuss and analyze the literature on two areas of controversy or unanswered questions related to the theory.
The
structure
of
your
paper
should
be
as
follows:
Title
page
Body (10-15 pages, no more or less; APA Style; use appropriate headings for organization of the paper)
References
(APA
Style)
Learning
Outcomes:
1. Compose a theoretically sound and conceptually rich essay that demonstrates knowledge of fundamental subject
areas
of
a
students
academic
discipline
and
specialization.

Question 2: Practical Application

Your dissertation research must contribute to theory. Your research and the theory to which it contributes 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
practical
application.
Part
1
Referencing at least five peer-reviewed journal articles or scholarly books, discuss views on the relationship between
theory and application or practice. How can a theory guide or inform practice? What are the issues involved in
translating theory into practice? Be sure to keep in mind the various conceptions of theory you discussed in Question
1.
Part
2
Referencing at least five peer-reviewed journal articles, fully describe a theory of current interest in your topic area. A
theory is currently of interest if there are articles published on it in the past five years. This theory may or may not be
the same as the one you examined in Question 1, Part 3. Describe a current view of the theory, not the founders
view
or
a
classic
view. Your
answer
should
be
no
more
than
three
pages
long.
Part
3
Identify at least five scholarly articles (published in the last 5 years) that address how the theory you discussed in Part
2 has actually been applied. (Draw on your response to Part 1 in order to define what you mean by an application of a
theory to an actual problem or situation.) Critically evaluate the appropriateness of the uses to which the theory has
been applied. Consider, for example: Are the applications premised upon an accurate understanding of the theory
and its scope? Do the applications go beyond what the theory claims? Is the reasoning linking application and
theory
sound?
The
structure
of
your
paper
should
be
as
follows:
Title
page
Body (10-15 pages, no more or less; APA Style; use appropriate headings for organization of the paper)
References
(APA
Style)
Learning
Outcomes:
2. Critique existing research and design a methodologically sound approach to research in the students academic
specialization(s).

Question 3: Research

The ability to read, understand, critique, and integrate research studies and to design a study to address a gap in the
research literature is a vital tool for a doctoral student. As you write your dissertation, you may be reading hundreds of
studies,
many
of
which
you
will
evaluate
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 it

Part
1. 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 implications

2. Critically evaluate each study: Does the author make a compelling case for the meaning and significance of the
findings?
Part
2
Write a literature review that explains what is known and not known about the phenomenon based on a critical
evaluation
of
the
five
studies.
Part
3
Develop a research question that addresses one of the unknowns you identified in Part 2 and sketch a
quantitative or qualitative study that can answer the question about what is unknown 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 need to 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 to determine 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 your research question than
alternatives you have considered
your methods of data analysis
how the data you collect will enable you to answer your research question and contribute to theory

Draw 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
this
question.
The structure of your paper should be as follows:
Title page
Body (10-15 pages, no more or less; APA Style; use appropriate headings for organization of the paper)
References (APA Style)

Learning
Outcomes:
3. Apply relevant theory and research from the student's specialization coursework to real life situations where he or
she solves specific problems and discusses implications.

Question 4: Ethics

As you know, scientific research must be conducted in accordance with ethical principles. The ethical principles of
research
are
defined
in:
Ethical
Principles
of
Standard
8:
http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx

Psychologists
Research

and

Code
and

of

Conduct
Publication

The National Academy Of Sciences, National Academy Of Engineering, and Institute Of Medicine Of The National
Academies have a more detailed and comprehensive set of ethical guidelines 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 a scientist: A guide to responsible conduct
in
research,
(3rd
ed.).
Washington,
D.C:
National
Academies
Press.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12192
Write a paper in which you discuss how you will ensure that all aspects of your doctoral research, from literature
review to conducting research, to writing the dissertation manuscript will be done with care and integrity and will meet
the ethical standards of scientific 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 dissertation project and not simply
describe standard practice. You must show that you have your own clear set of ethical principles and that you know
how to apply them to your work. You must do more than just paraphrase ethical guidelines. You must explain
specifically how you will apply published ethical guidelines and concepts to what you will do in your research (as you
envision
it
at
this
point).

Be sure to address the following:

Plagiarism
Risk assessment
Informed consent
Privacy and confidentiality
Data handling and reporting
Mistakes and negligence
Working with a Mentor
Northcentral University requirements for IRB approval

Conclude

your

paper

with

your

thoughts

on

the

following

statement:

Ethical scientific researchers have a commitment to all who are touched by their researchparticipants 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:
Title page
Body (10-15 pages, no more or less; APA Style; use appropriate headings for organization of the paper)
References (APA Style)

Learning
Outcomes:
4. Integrate knowledge of ethical practices with principles of professional practice as it applies to specific scenarios
within the student's academic discipline and specialization.