As a scholar, practitioner, and leader in research design, you will need to be able to identify research terms and the concepts associated with basic and applied research.
The difference between applied and basic research is necessary to develop a practical research study. The difference between basic research and applied research lies in their respective aims.
- Basic research refers to acquiring new, fundamental knowledge and theoretical understanding of basic human and other natural processes without any particular application in view.
- Applied research is also conducted as an original investigation to acquire new knowledge, but it is primarily directed toward practical objectives to provide relatively immediate solutions.
Assessment Deliverable
This assignment has two parts. Complete Parts 1 and 2 below.
Part 1: Article Analysis
Locate an applied research article on a topic in your program of study (e.g., DBA, DHA, DM, EDD) from the University Library.
Review the qualitative and quantitative research designs in the CDS Dissertation Guide on CDS Central to familiarize yourself with different applied designs.
Note: Keywords to use while searching for an article in the library might include action research, program evaluation, etc.
Write a 350- to 525-word analysis about what makes the study discussed in the article applied versus basic research and do the following:
- *Identify the article topic (e.g., education, business, health care) and provide a link to the article.
- *Explain how the study in the article addresses a real-world, practical problem.
- *Explain how the study results could impact people’s lives, work, health, and/or general well-being.
-
Part 2: Access and Permission Considerations
An integral aspect of choosing a topic is access or the ability to conduct your study. For example, you may want to know how leaders in a particular company use social media to increase sales, but they are unwilling to talk to you. If you cannot gain access to the leaders, then you will not be able to gather the data you need for your study.
Additionally, when selecting a topic for your study, consider whether conducting the study would involve talking to protected classes of people or vulnerable populations. Federal regulations require protecting the welfare of vulnerable subjects who may not be of age, have the authority or ability to speak for themselves, or are vulnerable in any other way.
Protected classes include the following:
- Children or minors under the age of 18
- Prisoners
- Pregnant women
- People with cognitive impairments or mental disabilities
- People who are educationally or economically disadvantaged
Note: If you are considering conducting research with any of the protected classes of human subjects, consider options for completing your study differently. For example, talk to the minor children’s parents, instead of talking to the minor children. There are many creative options!
Write a 350- to 525-word summary in which you:
- *Identify what permissions you will need to access the people, organizations, and/or data to conduct your research.
- *Identify who you might need to consult to gain permission to conduct your study.
- *Explain what potential issues you might encounter.
- *Explain how you may address these potential issues.
Compile Part 1 and Part 2 into one document for submission.
Format in-text citations and references according to current APA guidelines.
Reminder: Before submitting your assessment, proofread for grammar and sentence structure, re-read the assignment directions, and refer to the Summative Assessment rubric to ensure each element of the assignment has been addressed.
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Assessment Support
Copyright 2025 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
RES/709 Grading Rubrics
Wk 1 Reflection: Dissertation Process Matrix ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
Wk 2 Summative Assessment: Research Concepts Article Analysis ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Wk 4 Summative Assessment: Research Methods Presentation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
Wk 5 Research Outline Template: Background, Problem Statement, Purpose Statement, and Research Method …………………………………………….. 9
Wk 6 Research Outline Template: Research Questions and Design ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 11
Wk 7 Research Template: Framework and Significance …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13
Wk 8 Summative Assessment: Research Design Presentation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15
Grading Rubrics RES/709 v6
Page 2 of 16
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Wk 1 Reflection: Dissertation Process Matrix
Criteria and Weight Accomplished
90-100% A- to A
Emerging 70-89% C- to B+
Beginning 50-69% F to D+
Not Evident 0% F
1. The matrix is
complete and includes
accurate information
about each phase of
the dissertation
process.
Weight 20%
The matrix was complete
and included accurate
information about each
phase of the dissertation
process.
The matrix was partially
complete and included
accurate information about
most phases of the
dissertation process.
The matrix was incomplete and
included inaccurate information
about some phases of the
dissertation process.
The matrix was not
complete.
2. The reflection
includes one paragraph
explaining what has
gone well and any
perceived challenges.
Weight 20%
The reflection included
one paragraph that
thoroughly explained
what has gone well and
any perceived
challenges.
The reflection included
one paragraph that
partially explained what
has gone well and any
perceived challenges.
The reflection included one
paragraph that narrowly
explained what has gone well
and any perceived challenges.
The reflection did not
include one paragraph
that explained what has
gone well and any
perceived challenges.
3. The reflection
includes one paragraph
describing your
ongoing continued
development as a fully
autonomous scholar,
practitioner, and
leader.
Weight 20%
The reflection included
one paragraph that
thoroughly described
your ongoing continued
development as a fully
autonomous scholar,
practitioner, and leader.
The reflection included
one paragraph that
partially described your
ongoing continued
development as a fully
autonomous scholar,
practitioner, and leader.
The reflection included one
paragraph that narrowly
described your ongoing
continued development as a fully
autonomous scholar, practitioner,
and leader.
The reflection did not
include a paragraph that
described your ongoing
continued development
as a fully autonomous
scholar, practitioner, and
leader.
4. The reflection
includes a conclusion
paragraph.
Weight 20%
The reflection included a
complete conclusion
paragraph.
The reflection included an
adequate conclusion
paragraph.
The reflection included an
inadequate conclusion
paragraph.
The reflection did not
include a conclusion
paragraph.
Grading Rubrics RES/709 v6
Page 3 of 16
Copyright 2025 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Criteria and Weight Accomplished
90-100% A- to A
Emerging 70-89% C- to B+
Beginning 50-69% F to D+
Not Evident 0% F
5. Apply doctoral
writing style.
Weight 10%
The reflection was
written using an
informed, scholarly voice
that advanced its
purpose and was
reflective of publication
quality. First person,
personal pronouns, and
passive voice were
avoided. The writing
demonstrated proper
subject/verb agreement.
The reflection was written
in a formal, scholarly voice
and avoided the use of
clichés, contractions, and
the overuse of jargon. First
person, personal
pronouns, and passive
voice were mostly
avoided. The writing
demonstrated proper
subject/verb agreement for
the most part.
The reflection was written
using an inconsistent scholarly
voice
that included clichés, contractions,
and jargon. First person, personal
pronouns, and passive voice
were included. The writing
demonstrated little subject/verb
agreement.
The reflection was written
in an informal voice did
not adhere to doctoral
writing style
expectations.
6. APA, Grammar, and
Writing Mechanics
Weight: 10%
Accuracy in grammar,
sentence structures,
sentence boundaries,
and word choice
enhanced content; when
applicable, attention to
APA citation and
formatting enhanced the
content
Rare inaccuracies/errors
in grammar, sentence
structures, sentence
boundaries, and word
choice; when applicable,
APA citation and
formatting did not detract
from the content
Occasional inaccuracies/errors in
grammar, sentence structures,
sentence boundaries, and word
choice; when applicable, APA
citation and formatting detracted
from the content
Frequent
inaccuracies/errors in
grammar, sentence
structures, sentence
boundaries, and word
choice; when applicable,
APA formatting made the
content inaccessible
Grading Rubrics RES/709 v6
Page 4 of 16
Copyright 2025 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Wk 2 Summative Assessment: Research Concepts Article Analysis
Criteria and Weight Accomplished
90-100% A- to A
Emerging 70-89% C- to B+
Beginning 50-69% F to D+
Not Evident 0% F
1. Identify the article topic
and provide a link to the
article.
Weight 5%
Identified the article topic
(e.g., education, business,
health care) and provided
a link to the article
N/A N/A Did not identify the article
topic (e.g., education,
business, health care) or
provide a link to the article
2. Explain how the study
in the article addresses a
real-world, practical
problem.
Weight 15%
Thoroughly explained how
the study in the article
addresses a real-world,
practical problem
Partially explained how the
study in the article
addresses a real-world,
practical problem
Narrowly explained how
the study in the article
addresses a real-world,
practical problem
Did not explain how the
study in the article
addresses a real-world,
practical problem
3. Explain how the results
of the study could impact
people’s lives, work,
health, and/or general
well-being.
Weight 15%
Thoroughly explained how
the results of the study
could impact people’s
lives, work, health, and/or
general well-being
Partially explained how the
results of the study could
impact people’s lives,
work, health, and/or
general well-being
Narrowly explained how
the results of the study
could impact people’s
lives, work, health, and/or
general well-being
Did not explain how the
results of the study could
impact people’s lives,
work, health, and/or
general well-being
4. Identify what
permissions are needed
to access the people,
organizations, and/or
data to conduct research.
Weight 10%
Thoroughly identified what
permissions are needed to
access the people,
organizations, and/or data
to conduct research
Partially identified what
permissions are needed to
access the people,
organizations, and/or data
to conduct research
Narrowly identified what
permissions are needed to
access the people,
organizations, and/or data
to conduct research
Did not identify what
permissions are needed to
access the people,
organizations, and/or data
to conduct research
Grading Rubrics RES/709 v6
Page 5 of 16
Copyright 2025 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Criteria and Weight Accomplished
90-100% A- to A
Emerging 70-89% C- to B+
Beginning 50-69% F to D+
Not Evident 0% F
5. Identify who might
need to be consulted to
gain permission to
conduct the study.
Weight 10%
Clearly identified who
might need to be consulted
to gain permission to
conduct the study
Adequately identified who
might need to be consulted
to gain permission to
conduct the study
Inadequately identified
who might need to be
consulted to gain
permission to conduct the
study
Did not identify who might
need to be consulted to
gain permission to conduct
the study
6. Explain what potential
issues might be
encountered.
Weight 15%
Thoroughly explained what
potential issues might be
encountered
Partially explained what
potential issues might be
encountered
Narrowly explained what
potential issues might be
encountered
Did not explain what
potential issues might be
encountered
7. Explain how the
potential issues might be
addressed.
Weight 15%
Insightfully explained how
the potential issues might
be addressed
Adequately explained how
the potential issues might
be addressed
Inadequately explained
how the potential issues
might be addressed
Did not explain how the
potential issues might be
addressed
8. Apply doctoral writing
style.
Weight 5%
The analysis was written
using an informed,
scholarly voice that
advanced its purpose and
was reflective of
publication quality
The analysis was written in
a formal, scholarly voice
and avoided the use of
clichés, contractions, and
the overuse of jargon
The analysis was written
using an inconsistent
scholarly voice
that included clichés,
contractions, and jargon
The analysis in an informal
voice and did not adhere to
doctoral writing style
expectations
9. APA, Grammar, and
Writing Mechanics
Weight: 10%
Accuracy in grammar,
sentence structures,
sentence boundaries, and
word choice enhanced
content; when applicable,
attention to APA citation
and formatting enhanced
the content
Rare inaccuracies/errors in
grammar, sentence
structures, sentence
boundaries, and word
choice; when applicable,
APA citation and
formatting did not detract
from the content
Occasional
inaccuracies/errors in
grammar, sentence
structures, sentence
boundaries, and word
choice; when applicable,
APA citation and
formatting detracted from
the content
Frequent
inaccuracies/errors in
grammar, sentence
structures, sentence
boundaries, and word
choice; when applicable,
APA formatting made the
content inaccessible
Grading Rubrics RES/709 v6
Page 6 of 16
Copyright 2025 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Wk 4 Summative Assessment: Research Methods Presentation
Criteria and Weight Accomplished
90-100% A- to A
Emerging 70-89% C- to B+
Beginning 50-69% F to D+
Not Evident 0% F
1. Explain the study
including a statement of
purpose.
Weight: 10%
Thoroughly explained the
study and statement of
purpose
Partially explained the
study and statement of
purpose
Narrowly explained the
study and statement of
purpose
Did not provide an
overview and statement of
purpose provide
2. Summarize a
quantitative research
article, including the
characteristics that make
the study quantitative.
Weight: 10%
Thoroughly summarized a
quantitative research
article
Partially summarized a
quantitative research
article
Narrowly summarized a
quantitative research
article
Did not summarize a
quantitative research
article.
3. Summarize the
qualitative research
article, including the
characteristics that make
the study qualitative.
Weight: 10%
Thoroughly summarized a
qualitative research article
Partially summarized a
qualitative research article
Narrowly summarized a
qualitative research article
Did not summarize a
qualitative research article
4. Explain how the
chosen design aligns with
the method and research
problem.
Weight: 10%
Thoroughly explained how
the chosen design aligns
with the method and
research problem
Partially explained how the
chosen design aligns with
the method and research
problem
Narrowly explained how
the chosen design aligns
with the method and
research problem
Did not explain how the
chosen design aligns with
the method and research
problem
5. Justify why each
method selected were
appropriate for the
research study.
Weight: 10%
Thoroughly justified why
each method selected
were appropriate for the
research study
Partially justified why each
method selected were
appropriate for the
research study
Narrowly justified why
each method selected
were appropriate for the
research study
Did not justify why each
method selected were
appropriate for the
research study
Grading Rubrics RES/709 v6
Page 7 of 16
Copyright 2025 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Criteria and Weight Accomplished
90-100% A- to A
Emerging 70-89% C- to B+
Beginning 50-69% F to D+
Not Evident 0% F
6. Analyze the major
differences between
qualitative and
quantitative research
methods and designs.
Weight: 10%
Thoroughly analyzed the
major differences between
qualitative and quantitative
research methods and
designs
Partially analyzed the
major differences between
qualitative and quantitative
research methods and
designs
Narrowly analyzed the
major differences between
qualitative and quantitative
research methods and
designs
Did not analyze the major
differences between
qualitative and quantitative
research methods and
designs
7. Explain challenges
associated with both
quantitative and
qualitative methods.
Weight: 10%
Thoroughly explained
challenges associated with
both quantitative and
qualitative methods
Partially explained
challenges associated with
both quantitative and
qualitative methods
Narrowly explained
challenges associated with
both quantitative and
qualitative methods
Did not explain challenges
associated with both
quantitative and qualitative
methods
8. Summarize the
findings, focusing on the
importance of aligning
research questions,
methods, and designs.
Weight: 10%
Thoroughly summarized
the findings, focusing on
the importance of aligning
research questions,
methods, and designs
Partially summarized the
findings, focusing on the
importance of aligning
research questions,
methods, and designs
Narrowly summarized the
findings, focusing on the
importance of aligning
research questions,
methods, and designs
Did not summarize the
findings, focusing on the
importance of aligning
research questions,
methods, and designs
9. Apply doctoral writing
style.
Weight 10%
The presentation was
written using an informed,
scholarly voice that
advanced its purpose and
was reflective of
publication quality.
The presentation
was written in a formal,
scholarly voice
and avoided the use of
clichés, contractions, and
the overuse of jargon.
The presentation was
written using an
inconsistent scholarly
voice that included clichés,
contractions, and jargon.
The presentation was
written in an informal voice
and did not adhere to
doctoral writing style
expectations.
Grading Rubrics RES/709 v6
Page 8 of 16
Copyright 2025 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Criteria and Weight Accomplished
90-100% A- to A
Emerging 70-89% C- to B+
Beginning 50-69% F to D+
Not Evident 0% F
10. APA, Grammar, and
Writing Mechanics
Weight: 10%
Accuracy in grammar,
sentence structures,
sentence boundaries, and
word choice enhanced
content; when applicable,
attention to APA citation
and formatting enhanced
the content
Rare inaccuracies/errors in
grammar, sentence
structures, sentence
boundaries, and word
choice; when applicable,
APA citation and
formatting did not detract
from the content
Occasional
inaccuracies/errors in
grammar, sentence
structures, sentence
boundaries, and word
choice; when applicable,
APA citation and
formatting detracted from
the content
Frequent
inaccuracies/errors in
grammar, sentence
structures, sentence
boundaries, and word
choice; when applicable,
APA formatting made the
content inaccessible
Grading Rubrics RES/709 v6
Page 9 of 16
Copyright 2025 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Wk 5 Research Outline Template: Background, Problem Statement, Purpose Statement, and Research Method
Criteria and Weight Accomplished
90-100% A- to A