Page 68 - The Human Resource Development - New Student Orientation Handbook (REVISED)

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.

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