DPLS 720: Principles of Research

Expected Competencies:

  1. Formulating Research Questions: Ability to conceptualize measurable and meaningful research questions grounded in social science inquiry.

  2. Understanding Research Paradigms: Familiarity with qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches and the philosophical assumptions that guide them.

  3. Literature Review Mastery: Skill in conducting a comprehensive and scholarly review of literature in support of a research proposal.

  4. Ethical Research Practice: Awareness of ethical considerations in research design and execution, including respect for participant rights and data integrity.

  5. Designing Research Proposals: Proficiency in constructing research proposals that include purpose, methodology, data collection methods, and analysis strategies.

Achieved Competencies:

  1. Interdisciplinary Research Perspective: Gained a nuanced understanding of the connection between worldview, research questions, and methodology—especially when engaging in participatory and community-based research contexts.

  2. Methodological Agility: Developed an ability to navigate across research paradigms, choosing qualitative and mixed-method approaches appropriately for leadership studies.

  3. Literature Analysis: Conducted an in-depth review of literature that revealed gaps, tensions, and opportunities for further research in maternal health leadership and community organizing.

  4. Ethical Sensitivity: Reflected critically on ethical tensions related to power, representation, and reciprocity within leadership research.

  5. Scholarly Writing Development: Strengthened academic writing skills by integrating APA formatting, clear structure, and persuasive argumentation in the proposal.

Applied Competencies:

  • Final Research Proposal: Developed a comprehensive proposal focused on maternal health leadership, reflecting a deep commitment to community voice, interdisciplinary analysis, and ethical engagement. The proposal integrated foundational theory, methodological alignment, and actionable implications for future research in leadership studies.

  • Peer Engagement and Presentation: Participated in virtual class presentations, offering and receiving feedback to refine the research proposal. Shared the relevance of the work to NICU parent advocacy and broader maternal-child health systems.

  • Researcher-as-Instrument Reflection: Engaged in personal reflection on the researcher’s identity, biases, and assumptions, particularly as they relate to the NICU, disability advocacy, and maternal health systems.

Artifact Inclusions:

  • Final Research Proposal: Exploring Maternal Health Leadership and Community Engagement

  • Literature Review Document

  • Presentation Slides and Zoom Reflection Notes

References:

  • Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (5th ed.). Sage.

  • Crotty, M. (1998). The Foundations of Social Research: Meaning and Perspective in the Research Process. Sage.

  • Wilson, S. (2008). Research Is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods. Fernwood Publishing.

  • Smith, L. T. (1999). Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. Zed Books.

  • Machi, L. A., & McEvoy, B. T. (2016). The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success (3rd ed.). Corwin Press.

  • American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).

Keywords:

Research design, qualitative methods, literature review, mixed-methods, maternal health leadership, research ethics, NICU parent advocacy, inquiry, social justice, decolonizing research, indigenous methodologies, academic writing, proposal development.