Once you have identified several topics for your dissertation, you may narrow your selection by considering a variety of factors including how long the topic is likely to sustain your interest, whether the study is likely to present significant ethical barriers, and whether your study can be original and significant.

For this Discussion, you select a dissertation topic and then develop a dissertation premise. Refer to the Walden Dissertation Premise document (available in this week’s Learning Resources and via the In-Residence Information area) as you complete your premise this week. Note that the dissertation premise is a document that identifies and explains a preliminary topic for your dissertation. This topic should be the product of an initial investigation on your part, but will be subject to refinement as you develop your prospectus and then your proposal.

After posting your premise, you consider the ethical issues related to your proposed study and evaluate whether it is likely to receive IRB approval. Please refer to the Learning Resources on ethics in research to help you in your evaluation.

Post by Day 4:

Part 1:

A dissertation premise (1–2 paragraphs) for your selected dissertation topic including a title, a brief problem statement, and tentative research method (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods)

Part 2:

A brief evaluation of the likelihood that the Walden IRB committee will approve your study. Be specific and cite references from the Learning Resources on ethics in research.

Reference:

READINGS

• Creswell, J. W., Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Chapter 1, “The Selection of a Research Approach” (pp. 3–21)
• Reis, R. M. (1999, November 19). Choosing a research topic. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Roberts, C. M. (2010). The dissertation journey: A practical and comprehensive guide to planning, writing, and defending your dissertation (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
  • Chapter 4, “Choosing a Dissertation Topic” (pp. 46–52)
• Walden University. (2015). Dissertation premise guide. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/researchcenter/osra/phd
• Walden University. (2014). Office of research integrity and compliance: Institutional review board for ethical standards in research. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/researchcenter/orec
• Walden University. (2014). Research ethics FAQs for clinical/intervention settings: Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/researchcenter/orec/guides

MEDIA

Honestly I do not have a dissertation topic, but wanted to discuss the impact of how police officers are affected by work stress, depression, or alcohol problems.