Page 68 - The Human Resource Development - New Student Orientation Handbook (REVISED)
P. 68
The Human Resource Development
Orientation Handbook and Research Guide
Where to find more ideas:
Prior to beginning HURD 806, we highly recommended you identify a couple of broad topic or
problem areas that you would like to conduct research on prior to beginning HURD 806. Remember,
at this point, you do not need a thesis problem. You will develop the problem in HURD 806. A
good way to select a topic is to:
Review textbooks from classes you have taken. Often, the author points out areas in which
there is controversy or that need to be flushed out.
Go to the library or the University of Maryland's online research portal and review other
studies and thesis that have been completed. DigitalDissertation.com, a database that can be
found on the research portal web-site, is an excellent source of such studies.
Look through scientific journals and periodicals (for a listing see Library and Technology
section). Seek out materials that address a problem statement or hypothesis. This type of
material will be invaluable as you begin to develop your thesis.
Review the reference publications such as the Encyclopedia of Educational Research.
Review accepted thesis by BSU graduates at the Thurgood G. Marshall Library on campus.
Discuss ideas with professors, employers, and colleagues.
Remember when trying to find a thesis topic or formulating a research plan:
Pick something you find interesting - if you work on something solely because your advisor wants
you to, it will be difficult to stay motivated.
Pick something your advisor finds interesting - if your advisor doesn't find it interesting
he/she is unlikely to devote much time to your research. He/she will be even more motivated
to help you if your project is on their critical path (although this has down sides too!).
Pick something the research community will find interesting -if you want to make yourself
marketable.
Make sure it addresses a real problem.
Ask yourself Is the problem area in the mainstream of your field of study?
Ask yourself Is there a substantial body of literature on the problem area?
Ask yourself Is the problem area timely?
Remember that your topic will evolve as you work on it.
Pick something that is narrow enough that it can be done in a reasonable time frame.
Have realistic expectations.
68 | P a g e