BUSI 887, Applied Doctoral Research Project I
Project Guide
V2.0
1971 University Boulevard
Lynchburg, VA 24515-2269
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434-582-3000
February 18, 2021
Liberty University School of Business
Applied Doctoral Research Project Guide
Table of Contents
Overview …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1
The Research Chair ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
Concept Alignment in the ADRP …………………………………………………………………………… 2
References …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Future vs. Past Tense ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Submissions and Revisions ……………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Suggested Research Resources ………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Task Structure and Submissions …………………………………………………………………………….. 5
BUSI 887, Applied Doctoral Research Project I …………………………………………………………………..7
Task 1: Bullet Point Outline ………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Task 1: Bullet Point Outline – Admin Review ………………………………………………………….. 9
Task 2: The Problem …………………………………………………………………………………………… 11
Task 3: The Nature of the Study …………………………………………………………………………… 13
Task 4: The Research Framework ………………………………………………………………………… 15
Task 5: Review of the Professional and Academic Literature Outline ……………………….. 17
Task 6: Supporting Material ………………………………………………………………………………… 19
Task 7: Section 1, Foundation of the Study ……………………………………………………………. 21
BUSI 888, Applied Doctoral Research Project II ………………………………………………………………..23
Task 1: Bullet Point Outline ………………………………………………………………………………… 23
Task 7: Section 1, Foundation of the Study w/Literature Review ……………………………… 25
Task 7: Section 1, Foundation of the Study w/Literature Review – Admin Review…….. 27
Task 8: The Research …………………………………………………………………………………………. 29
Task 9: Participants, Population, and Sampling ……………………………………………………… 32
Task 10: Data Collection and Analysis………………………………………………………………….. 34
Task 11: Section 2, The Project ……………………………………………………………………………. 38
Task 11: Section 2, The Project – Admin Review …………………………………………………… 40
Task 12: The Research Proposal …………………………………………………………………………… 42
BUSI 889, Applied Doctoral Research Project III……………………………………………………………….44
Task 1: Bullet Point Outline ………………………………………………………………………………… 44
Task 12: The Research Proposal w/Permissions …………………………………………………….. 46
Task 12: The Research Proposal w/Permissions – Admin Review ……………………………. 48
Task 13: Presentation of the Findings……………………………………………………………………. 51
Task 13: Presentation of the Findings – Admin Review …………………………………………… 54
Task 14: Supporting Material ………………………………………………………………………………. 57
Task 15: Section 3, Application to Professional Practice …………………………………………. 60
Task 16: Doctoral Research Project & Updates ……………………………………………………… 62
BUSI 890, Applied Doctoral Research Project IV ………………………………………………………………64
Task 17: Final Doctoral Research Project ……………………………………………………………… 64
Task 17: Final Doctoral Research Project – Admin Review ……………………………………… 66
Document Contents …………………………………………………………………………………………………………68
Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 68
Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 68
Section 1: Foundation of the Study ……………………………………………………………………….. 68
Background of the Problem …………………………………………………………………………………. 68
February 18, 2021
Page i
Liberty University School of Business
Applied Doctoral Research Project Guide
Problem Statement ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 68
Research Questions …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 69
Purpose Statement………………………………………………………………………………………………. 70
Research Paradigms ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 70
Design and Method …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 71
Definition of Terms…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 73
Assumptions, Limitations, Delimitations ………………………………………………………………. 73
Assumptions……………………………………………………………………………………………. 73
Limitations ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 74
Delimitations …………………………………………………………………………………………… 74
Significance of the Study …………………………………………………………………………………….. 74
Reduction of Gaps in the Literature ……………………………………………………………. 74
Implications for Biblical Integration …………………………………………………………… 74
Benefit to Business Practice and Relationship to Cognate …………………………….. 74
Summary of Significance of the Study ……………………………………………………….. 74
A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature …………………………………………… 74
Transition and Summary ……………………………………………………………………………………… 75
References ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..75
Research Chair Responsibilities ……………………………………………………………………………………….76
General ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 76
Weekly Progress Reports …………………………………………………………………………………….. 77
Grading Tasks ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 77
Posting Final Grades …………………………………………………………………………………………… 77
Enrolling in BUSI 890 ………………………………………………………………………………………… 78
The Field Study ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 78
Administrative Reviews ………………………………………………………………………………………. 78
Presentations ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 79
Signature Page …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 79
February 18, 2021
Page ii
Liberty University School of Business
Applied Doctoral Research Project Guide
Overview
The Applied Doctoral Research Project (ADRP) is the capstone project for the Doctor of Business
Administration (DBA) program. As a capstone project, it is intended for educational purposes to
allow the doctoral candidate to demonstrate the ability to conduct and present meaningful doctorallevel research. The ADRP is limited to a Single Case Study design focusing on a single
organization, it is not intended for publication, and the results are not intended to be relatable or
generalizable to the larger population. Because of these limitations, the ADRP is excluded from
the review and approval of the Liberty University Institutional Review Board (IRB).
The ADRP will take one of two possible paths:
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Consulting Project – Single Case Study with Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC) Framework
Case Study Project – Single Case Study
Consulting Project – The doctoral candidate progresses though the ADRP by first locating an
organization with an applied business problem related to their cognate, and then conducting a
review of the literature to gain insight and understanding of the problem. The problem is known
in the literature and generally understood, but perhaps not well understood in a specific context
such as a particular industry or a region of the country. Next, the doctoral candidate develops a
research proposal and once approved, begins the study using the qualitative and quantitative tools
found in the Lean Six Sigma Framework (DMAIC). Once the study is complete, the doctoral
candidate documents the results, develops a plan to address the problem, and presents the research
and plan to their Research Chair and the organization. The goal of the research is to gain a better
understanding of the problem and its solution and thereby extend the current body of knowledge
to a specific context. Students wishing to conduct the consulting project should be sure to include
BUSI 830, Case Study Research Methods and Consulting Techniques, in their degree plan to gain
a better understanding of the Lean Six Sigma tools that must be used in the research project.
Case Study Project – The doctoral candidate progresses though the ADRP by first conducting a
review of the literature to find an applied business problem related to their cognate. The problem
is known in the literature and generally understood, but perhaps not well understood in a specific
context such as a particular industry or a region of the country. Next, the doctoral candidate
develops a research proposal and once approved, locates an organization where the problem can
be studied. Finally, the doctoral candidate conducts the study, documents the results, and presents
the research to their Research Chair. While not a Mixed Methods design, quantitative tools will be
used for triangulation and descriptive statistics. The goal of the research is to gain a better
understanding of the problem and thereby extend the current body of knowledge to a specific
context.