The dissertation problem statement emerges from the topic to address what needs the research will fulfill. The problem statement must be supported by literature that upholds the need to explore the problem. In this assignment, you will construct an initial supported problem statement for your intended research topic.

My program is Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition & Instruction.

Dissertation Topic Chosen: Individual Focused Learning for Better Memory Retention Through Experience

General Requirements: 
Use the following information to ensure the successful completion of the assignment:

· Locate the “Dissertation Development Template” in the Topic Resources. 

· This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. 

· Doctoral learners are required to use APA 7th style for their writing assignments. The APA Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center. 

· Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for specific guidelines related to doctoral level writing. The Manual contains essential information on manuscript structure and content, clear and concise writing, and academic grammar and usage. 

· This assignment requires that at least two additional scholarly research sources related to this topic, and at least one in-text citation from each source be included.

Directions:

Use the Dissertation Development Template to provide an annotated bibliography of ten empirical research articles on your proposed dissertation topic. For each article include a reference and an annotation (150-250 words each) of the key points of the article.

In the second portion of the assignment, you will answer questions regarding the alignment of your topic to your program and defend your selection of articles. Use the template to write a supported problem statement for your proposed dissertation topic. The statement must include a defense of the need to explore the problem and a discussion of the feasibility of the topic (250-500 words).

Running head: DISSERTATION DEVELOPMENT 1

DISSERTATION DEVELOPMENT 3

Individual Focused Learning for Better Memory Retention Through Experience

Grand Canyon University

Date

Individual Focused Learning for Better Memory Retention Through Experience

Baker, V. L., & Pifer, M. J. (2011). The role of relationships in the transition from doctor to independent scholar. Studies in Continuing Education, 33(1), 5-17. http://doi.org/10.1080/0158037X. 2010.515569

For this assignment select ten empirical, peer-reviewed research articles that are relevant to your dissertation topic and program of study. Provide a reference and an annotation (150-250 words) that includes important details about the article for each of the sources.

Annotations are descriptive and critical assessments of literature that help researchers evaluate texts and determine relevancy in relation to a research project. Ultimately, it is a note-taking tool that fosters critical thinking and helps you evaluate the source material for possible later use. Instead of reading articles and forgetting what you have read, you have a convenient document full of helpful information. An annotated bibliography can help you see the bigger picture of the literature you are reading. It can help you visualize the overall status of the topic, as well as where your unique question might fit into the field of literature. 

Your sources should not be class resources, dissertations, books, reports, conference papers, legal documents, book reviews, editorials, newspaper articles, magazine articles, and other sources that are not peer-reviewed. 

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition & Instruction

Research Focus

How does your topic area align with your degree and emphasis area?

Feasibility of Research Problem

It is important for you to select a topic that is viable and a problem that is researchable. Justify the feasibility of your proposed research project. For instance, is this a researchable problem? Is there a need for it? What is your proximity to a data source?

Problem Statement

A problem statement emerges from reading and studying the literature around a topic. Consider these dimensions of the problem you are investigating: what is known, what needs to be known, and what is the significance. To provide context, begin with how the problem has already been investigated. Next, address what has not been examined about the specific issue you want to address. Finally, discuss why this is an important problem that needs to be investigated, that is what is the benefit of studying this specific problem. (100-150 words)

Defense of Article Selection

The selection of the articles you choose to include is essential in developing an understanding of the literature on your topic. For this assignment you should select five empirical articles that are important to your understanding of the problem. Your searches may turn up many articles on the topic and it is imperative for you to discern which articles to include and which to exclude. In this section, defend your selection of your five articles for the annotated bibliography. Why were these five articles important enough to annotate? What do these add to your understanding of the problem? How do these align with your research focus? Are they current and relevant? (250-500 words)