Online doctoral education programs ultimately require adult learners to complete a dissertation. This culminating research process is challenging, because doctoral students must complete the work with only online supervision from their committee members. The committee’s direction is normally through e-mails, phone calls, or video conferencing. This requires adult students to conduct their dissertation research and writing using distance education resources, which may make the task even more challenging at times.
Learning effective research methods for completing a literature review requires efficient distance education technology and writing skills. These skills allow online doctoral students to devise a well-organized plan which supports their research efforts, as they find appropriate related research resources. A research methods plan must first begin with a well-written problem statement that is clear and concise, along with clearly defining the purpose of the dissertation research as a guide for the literature review.
Dissertation Writing: Developing the Problem Statement
The dissertation writing process begins with the problem preparation stage, because it establishes the basis for the entire project. Identifying a problem to investigate appears quite simple at first, because of an adult learner’s familiarity with their area of concentration. In reality, it is one of the most difficult aspects of the dissertation research and writing process.
Doctoral students typically have an assortment of thoughts about possible research ideas, which are general in nature. The problem is that the research problem statement must be very specific and significant. Adult learners in online doctoral programs must devote time to selecting a research problem to avoid an insignificant topic, because their study will impact their academic and professional life.
Often, doctoral students believe there is not enough available information to answer their research statement question. So how do doctoral students become aware of educational or social problems that need further investigation? The process of problem identification involves refining and narrowing the topic of interest. This process in research methods is accomplished by:
- conducting online database researches
- requesting resources through the school’s online inter-library loan
- reading widely on the topic
- interviewing people familiar with the area of interest
- making observations of situations related to the problem
Literature Review: Researching Related and Supporting Documentation
After the research problem is thoroughly defined and approved by a doctoral student’s dissertation committee, it is time to begin the literature review process. The literature review is the opportunity to take a critical view of research studies that are related to the research problem statement. Effective literature reviews follow methods that provide:
- confidence that research topic is of interest to others and worth the invested time, effort, and resources in studying
- new ideas and research to the existing body of research related to the dissertation topic
- demonstrate a doctoral student is capable of conducting a thorough research, especially using online resources
- sources of data that a doctoral student may not have known existed
- adult learners with research methodology measurement tools that other researchers have developed and used effectively
- methods of dealing with problem situations that may be similar to difficulties the student is facing
- methods for interpreting findings and making connections with results to others work
- strategies for effective use of distance education resources
Writing Tips: Completing the Literature Review
Online doctoral students need a basic research methods plan to implement and effectively complete their review of the literature. The review should constantly remind the reader that the literature is related to the research problem. Suggestions include:
- beginning with a general overview and narrow down to the specific research topic
- comparing and contrasting theoretical perspectives on the topic
- showing how approaches to the topic have changed over time
- describing general trends in research findings
- identifying discrepant or contradictory findings, and suggest possible explanations for such discrepancies
- identifying general themes that run throughout the literature
- making connections to research resources found through distance education resources where appropriate
Making Connections: Online Doctoral Education and Literature Reviews
There are no formulas to creating realistic research problems in online doctoral education. Rather, adult learners need to be creative during their selection of a research problem. Doctoral students’ need to use online learning strategies that help devise methods relevant to their dissertation research project. This is important because the literature review is the key element in the research process and dissertation writing.
Using effective writing skills to develop a well-written review will provide new knowledge to the academic community and establish a basis for future journal publications. Adult education requires adult learners to develop successful habits of learning, along with taking advantage of distance education resources.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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