Clarify the Business Challenge Describe the organizational problem you want to solve * Contextualize Your Environment Industry focus Select an industry Healthcare Finance Technology Manufacturing Education Public Sector Retail & Service Organizational level Select a level Individual Team Department Business Unit Enterprise Primary stakeholders impacted Desired organizational outcome The more specific you are about your context, the easier it will be to align your research purpose and methodology. Consider organizational constraints, stakeholders, and measurable outcomes. Next: Purpose Templates
Select the Research Purpose Choose the primary intent of your study. The builder will offer a template aligned with your choice and adapt to your business context. Research purpose choices Descriptive template Detail what is happening within a process, group, or environment. Relational Explore correlations or associations between key variables. Causal Investigate cause-and-effect relationships through interventions. Comparative Compare groups, programs, or time periods to uncover differences. Purpose Template Guidance Select a purpose to view a tailored question scaffold. Back Next: Variables
Identify Key Variables & Relationships Clarify the elements you will study. This will help the builder generate precise, measurable question language and connect you to suitable methods. Independent variable(s) ⓘ The variable you manipulate, change, or study as a potential cause or predictor. Example: training program frequency, leadership style, or technology adoption. Dependent variable(s) ⓘ The outcome you measure or observe; what you expect to change based on the independent variable. Example: employee turnover rate, sales performance, or customer satisfaction. Potential mediating variables ⓘ Variables that explain HOW or WHY the independent variable affects the dependent variable. They lie on the causal pathway. Example: employee engagement mediates the relationship between leadership coaching and turnover. Potential moderating variables ⓘ Variables that affect the strength or direction of the relationship between independent and dependent variables. They answer WHEN or FOR WHOM the effect occurs. Example: tenure or location may moderate coaching effectiveness. Control variables ⓘ Variables you hold constant or statistically account for to isolate the relationship you're studying. They prevent confounding effects. Example: department size, shift schedule, or demographic factors. Emerging Research Question Draft Complete the fields to see a draft research question. Methodology suggestions: Specify variables to view recommended designs. Back Next: SMART Check
Refine with SMART Criteria Working research question Specific Pending Is the question anchored to the stated problem, context, and stakeholders? Measurable Pending Are the variables operationalized with quantifiable indicators? Achievable Pending Can the research be executed within DBA resource constraints? Relevant Pending Does it advance organizational outcomes and stakeholder value? Time-bound Pending Is there a realistic timeframe aligned to doctoral milestones? Enter or adjust your question to view SMART feedback. Back Next: Feasibility
Reality Checks & Ethical Considerations Estimated sample size or data points Data access plan Select access level Internal records (available) Internal records (restricted) External datasets Primary data collection Mixed sources Projected completion timeline (months) Sensitive populations or data? Select an option No sensitive data Yes - Personal health information Yes - Minors or vulnerable populations Yes - Proprietary corporate data Feasibility Snapshot Provide estimates to receive feasibility guidance. Back Next: Refinement Summary
Refinement Summary & Next Steps Your SMART Research Question Complete the steps to see your finalized question. Strong Example To what extent does quarterly leadership coaching (independent variable) reduce voluntary turnover (dependent variable) among customer service teams (context) in a Midwest healthcare system over the next 12 months (time-bound)? Weak Example How can we improve leadership in our company? This question lacks specificity, measurable variables, timeframe, and context. Common Pitfalls & Fixes Too broad? Narrow the scope to a manageable unit (team, department, or timeframe). Unclear variables? Revisit Step 3 to sharpen independent, dependent, and control factors. Uncertain methods? Use the methodology suggestion link to align design with question type. Ethical flags? Consult DBA IRB guidance and mock application templates from Unit 5. Linking to Next Coursework Compare your research question to dissertation chapters in Unit 8 and consult the Purdue Global library resources for targeted literature searches. Review the DBA Dissertation Journey text for proposal expectations. Explore methodology decision tree Back Start Over