nit 4 Assignment 1 – Your Research Question
Please submit your research question to the assignment area for review. You will also submit the SMART form with the following sections completed:
Please finalize sections 1 and 2 of the dissertation or capstone research plan (SMART form) based on the research design you have been working on throughout your coursework. Be sure to read the instructions found in the left-hand column. You may build on what you submitted for the Unit 2 discussion. Remember to incorporate any relevant feedback you received prior to submitting this assignment.
Including these sections with the research question will give the instructor the context for your research question and will allow him/her to ensure it is in alignment with these initial sections of the SMART Form.
Take time to review the scoring guide for this assignment. The instructor will evaluate the research question on these criteria. In addition, make sure that:
• The sections of the dissertation or capstone research plan are conceptually and terminologically consistent.
• The research question exhibits the five characteristics described in the grading criteria.
Reminders
• This is a graded assignment that will be worth 10{0e601fc7fe3603dc36f9ca2f49ef4cd268b5950ef1bbcf1f795cc00e94cdd119} of your total numerical grade.

• Review the assignment due date information provided in both the Syllabus and the Faculty Expectations discussion to effectively plan your time.
• All scholarly sources should be cited and referenced in APA Style.
• Submit your work to Turnitin and the assignment area (remember, use the TII drafts area to check your work and change any significant matches before you submit your final the TII assignment area).
• Submit the Turnitin submission report with your assignment. Assignments will not be graded until they are submitted to Turnitin.
Resources
Your Research Question Scoring Guide.
Scientific Merit Action Research Template (SMART) Form – PSL [DOC]. Turnitin.

Unit 4 – Formulating The Research Question
INTRODUCTION

In this unit, you will learn how to align your research topic, needs assessment, and problem statement with the conceptual model and build well- crafted research questions.
Course Competencies
• Competency 2. Apply advanced critical thinking skills to research methods and design.
• Competency 4. Develop research questions that align with an identified problem.
• Competency 6. Propose a research methodology that aligns with an identified problem.
• Competency 9. Apply academic communication skills in verbal and written interactions within the research process.
OBJECTIVES
To successfully complete this learning unit, you will be expected to:
1. Identify appropriate instruments that will measure key constructs specified in the research topic.
2. Create a well-formed research question.
3. Differentiate between relevant qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Unit 4 Study 1
Identifying Constructs, Variables, and Definitions
To this point, your focus has been on the foundational elements of your research project, conceptual model, and implications for the field. Now you will transition to developing the methodological components of your dissertation or capstone research plan. This includes identifying the methodology and design, developing research questions, and articulating the data collection process. In order to do this, you will first need to provide a clear explanation of the constructs and variables you will research based on the needs assessment and the conceptual model.
Before crafting a research question you must identify the concepts and/or constructs for your research. These constructs need to be defined using the most appropriate literature. Read through the following handouts to gain further information about identifying variables:
• Variables in Quantitative Research: A Beginner’s Guide – Public Service Leadership.