Doctoral Portfolio Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

Abstract

[Portfolio Title]

by

[your official name]

MS, [university], 20XX

BS, [university], 20XX

Doctoral Portfolio Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University

[last month of term you graduate] 20XX

Abstract

Use the following guidelines when writing the abstract. Begin with a wow statement illuminating the problem under study. Identify the design (e.g., ex post facto, program evaluation). Note: Do not mention the method in the abstract. Identify the study population and geographical location. Identify the theoretical framework that grounded the study; in APA style, theoretical framework names are lower case. Describe the data collection process (e.g., interviews, surveys, questionnaires). Describe the data analysis process (e.g., thematic analysis in qualitative, or t-test, ANOVA, or multiple regression in quantitative). Do not mention software used. For qualitative studies, identify two or three themes that emerged. For quantitative studies, present the statistical results for each research question. Describe how these data may contribute to social change (use the term social change, and identify who specifically may benefit). Ensure the first line in the abstract is not indented. Ensure abstract does not exceed one page. Use plural verbs with data (e.g., the data were). Write all numbers as digits (i.e., 1, 2, 10, 20) and not spelled out unless at the beginning of a sentence. Add an abbreviation in parentheses after spelling out a term in full only if the abbreviation is used again in the abstract.

[Portfolio Title]

by

[your official name]

MS, [university], 20XX

BS, [university], 20XX

Doctoral Portfolio Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University

[last month of term you graduate] 20XX

Dedication

This is an optional page for a dedication. If you include a dedication, use regular paragraph spacing as shown here (not centered, italicized, or otherwise formatted). The dedication should not exceed one page. If you are not including a dedication, delete the heading and text on this page.

Acknowledgments

This is an optional page for acknowledgments. This is an area to thank the faculty, family members, and friends who have helped you reach this point in your academic career. The acknowledgments should not exceed one page.

No page number appears on any of the pages up to this point. If you do not wish to include this page, delete the heading and the body text, taking care to not delete the section break under this text.

Table of Contents

List of Tables iii

List of Figures iv

Section 1: Background and Context 1

Historical Background 1

Organizational Context 2

Problem Statement 2

Purpose Statement 2

Target Audience 3

Research Question(s) 3

Significance 3

Theoretical Framework or Program Theory 4

Representative Literature Review 4

Theoretical Framework or Program Theory 4

Problem 5

Transition 6

Section 2: Project Design and Process 7

Method and Design 7

Method 7

Design 7

Ethics 8

Transition and Summary 9

Section 3: The Deliverable 10

Executive Summary 10

Purpose of the Program 10

Goals and Objectives 10

Overview of Findings 11

Recommendations 11

Presentation of the Findings (Quantitative) 12

Presentation of the Findings (Qualitative) 13

Recommendations for Action 13

Implications for Social Change 14

Skills and Competencies 14

References 15

Appendix A. Title of Appendix 17

This Table of Contents (TOC) has all the headings from the template included. To update your TOC, right click anywhere in the Table of Contents, select Update Field, then select Update entire table or Update page numbers only, and click OK.

List of Tables

Table 1. A Sample Table Showing Correct Formatting 12

When you update the List of Tables, the table number and title will come in without a period between them; you will need to manually add that period after all table numbers, as shown for Table 1. In addition, the title will retain the italics from the narrative when the List of Tables is updated. Once your list is finalized, select the entire list, and change it to plain type.

Note that tables are numbered in sequence beginning with 1. Do not number tables according to the section in which they appear (Table 4-1, 5-2, etc.) In the List of Tables, table numbers are followed by a period, not a colon or a dash. This applies to figure numbers in the List of Figures as well.

List of Figures

Figure 1. Figure caption, sentence case xx

The List of Figures is not set up to automatically update. If you have figures in your document, type them in manually here, following the example above.

Alternately, follow the instructions in the Instructions for Using the Walden DBA Template, which will allow automatic updating of the List of Figures.

Section 1: Background and Context

Provide an introductory paragraph.

Historical Background

The purpose of the background is to introduce the program/problem you will address. Establish the historical background of the problem/topic and ensure background information serves as a bridge that links the reader to the topic of your study. The goal of this section is to encourage readers to continue reading, generate interest in the study, and provide an initial frame of reference for understanding the entire research framework.

The background can be effectively accomplished in no more than one page; brevity and clarity are essential. The Literature Review section will provide a more detailed discussion on the literature pertaining to the topic/problem. Immersing yourself in the literature on your topic/problem is crucial to uncovering a viable business problem.

The research topic is broad in nature; do not narrow the focus too quickly. You want to give the reader, especially those not familiar with the topic, time to become familiar with the topic. Transition the reader to a more a concise presentation of the specific business topic/problem under study. This section focuses on identifying why the study is important andhow the study relates to previous research on the topic/problem; it gives the reader a firm sense of what your study is going to address and why. Include a transition statement that leads to the problem statement that will provide more specificity regarding the problem.

A well-written transition signals a change in content. It tells your readers that they have finished one main unit and are moving to the next, or it tells them that they are moving from a general explanation to a specific example or application. A transition from the Historical Background to the Organization Context is often as brief as one sentence, as follows: The background to the problem has been provided, and the focus will now shift to the organizational context. Tip: Many potential business topics/problems can be found in the Area for Future Research section of most peer-reviewed journal articles.

Organizational Context

Describe the organizational/industry context for the program under evaluation. Discuss internal context (e.g., vision, mission, strategic objectives, organization structure). Discuss external context (e.g., legal, social, political, regulatory, financial, economic).

Problem Statement

Provide a concise introduction to the topic/program, providing peer-reviewed sources as support; the topic/problem is introduced in the opening sentence or two. Describe the aspect of the topic/problem that is problematic to appropriate stakeholders, providing peer-reviewed sources as support. Identify empirical literature, focusing on results that have addressed the problem; ideal literature will focus on programs similar to the one in your study. Identify what the organizational leaders do not know about the program, substantiating the need for the program evaluation.

Purpose Statement

Identify your research as program evaluation; specify the stage of the evaluation (e.g., summative or formative). Ensure the purpose aligns with the problem statement. Identify type of program (e.g., for-profit, nonprofit, government). Identify geographical location. Identify stakeholders/target audience (e.g., employees, leaders, managers, community citizens/leadership/businesses, local church). Identify social change implications.

Target Audience

Identify key stakeholders. Discuss stakeholders’ interest in the program; identify components of the program that matter to them the most. Discuss how consensus was met for establishing program evaluation objectives (e.g., individual interview[s] with stakeholders, working group model).

Research Question(s)

List proposed quantitative question(s), hypotheses, data collection technique(s), and data analysis techniques; ensure alignment with questions presented in the Research Question section. A hypothesis is a provisional idea whose merit deserves further evaluation. State the null (H₀) and alternative (H₁) hypothesis for each research question.

List proposed qualitative question(s), interview questions, data collection technique(s), and data analysis techniques; ensure alignment with questions presented in the Research Question section.

Significance

State why the program evaluation/secondary data analysis is of value to stakeholders/business. Discuss how the program evaluation/secondary data analysis may contribute to improvement of program outcomes/business practice. Provide a statement of positive social change or the improvement of human or social conditions by promoting the worth, dignity, and development of individuals, communities, organizations, institutions, cultures, or societies.

Theoretical Framework or Program Theory

Present a brief overview of your theory or conceptual framework. Please note this is not a detailed review of your theory or framework. The detailed review is required in the Review of the Literature section. Here, a model for presenting the theory or framework section is offered. State the name of the theory or identify the conceptual framework, identify the theorist if applicable, list key concepts of the theory or framework, identify any propositions or hypotheses, and identify how the theory or framework applies to your study. Please note there are obvious variations to this model depending upon your particular study and topic. However, the intent is to briefly present the key aspects of your theory and show how it fits into your study.

Representative Literature Review

A well-written literature review will focus on two major topic areas: theory and problem. Therefore, a suggested format is to include APA Level 2 headings for these two major areas. (theoretical framework and the problem). Subordinate APA headings are to be used appropriately and encouraged to aid in a logical and clear presentation to the reader. Be sure to use the MEAL (Main Idea, Evidence Analysis, Lead out) plan structure for paragraph development.

Theoretical Framework or Program Theory

Provide critical analysis and synthesis comprised of empirical literature grounded in the theoretical framework/program theory identified in the Theoretical Framework or Program Theory section. The approach to this section may vary by the specific purpose; therefore, use APA headings as appropriate to outline the structure. This is the section where you will report the literature regarding your theoretical framework. For example, if your study will be grounded in transformational leadership theory, you are examining or exploring your phenomenon through a leadership lens. You want to report on extant research that was grounded in transformational leadership theory and on the literature that is as close to your problem as possible. In addition, you will want to include the literature for any key variables, if you are conducting a quantitative study.

Critical analysis and synthesis of the literature will be an important piece of the review. The review of the literature is not to be a regurgitation of what you have read. It is also not to teach about a topic; it is to show your mastery of the research on your topic and provide a comprehensive up-to-date literature review of your topic. Start with an introductory section and then report the literature. This should be an exhaustive review of the literature using the chosen theoretical/conceptual framework and consist of the key and recent writings in the field. Repeat this approach if you are using more than one theory or conceptual framework. In addition, there must be a critical analysis and synthesis for each variable in quantitative studies.

Problem

Provide critical analysis and synthesis comprised of empirical literature, where your identified problem was the problem addressed in the literature. This is the section where you will report the literature regarding your problem. The approach to this section may vary by the specific purpose.

Transition

This section summarizes the content of Section 1. Recap the major components to include the historical background, problem, purpose, and so on. Do not introduce any new material in the transition summary.

Section 2: Project Design and Process

Provide a one- or two-paragraph introduction to Section 2. This introduction should provide a clear outline of the Project Design and Process section.

Method and Design

Method

Copy and paste the Purpose Statement from Section 1. Restate research question(s), hypotheses, and interview questions, as appropriate.

Design

Discuss the rationale for type of program evaluation (e.g., summative, formative, other) or the secondary data analysis. For the program evaluation, present and discuss the logic model; ensure key stakeholders align with the logic model. Discuss how consensus was met for establishing program evaluation objectives. For the secondary data analysis, discuss briefly the ex post facto design.

Discuss quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques (see Appendix C: Example Program Evaluation Prospectus and Appendix E: Example Secondary Data Analysis Rubric Checklist for samples in the DBA Portfolio Capstone Manual).

Discuss quantitative (e.g., t-test, ANOVA, trend analysis) and qualitative (e.g., thematic analysis, modified van Kaam method) data analysis techniques.

Discuss missing data, including screening and cleaning of missing data (if applicable). Discuss how missing data will be handled.

Identify data assumptions to include testing and correction techniques if violated (quantitative).

Discuss qualitative data trustworthiness to include credibility, dependability, transferability, and trustworthiness; identify how these will be addressed.

Discuss the sampling procedures; identify advantages/disadvantages of chosen sampling procedures; discuss/identify appropriate sample size(s).

Ethics

Because each research inquiry comes with its own set of specific ethical requirements, a standard rubric cannot address all possible scenarios. Therefore, it will be helpful to review the IRB information and application before you complete this section to ensure you address any requirements not identified in the DBA Doctoral Study Rubric and Research Handbook. However, at minimum, discuss the informed consent process. Include a copy of the informed consent form used in the study, not the actual filled-in form provided by the consenting party, in an appendix and list it in the Table of Contents. For the final study, consent forms and their reference should be removed. Discuss participant procedures for withdrawing from the study. Describe incentives to be used, if any. Clarify measures to be taken to assure the ethical protection of participants. Agreement documents are to be listed in the (a) text of the study, (b) appendices, and (c) Table of Contents. Include a statement that data will be maintained in a safe place for 5 years to protect rights of participants. Ensure you indicate that the final doctoral manuscript will include the Walden IRB approval number. Ensure the document does not include names or any other identifiable information of individuals or organizations.

Transition and Summary

End with a transition that contains a summary of key points and provides an overview of Section 3. Do not include any new information in the summary

This is the end of the proposal. You will be able to collect data after the proposal is approved by your committee, URR, and IRB.

Section 3: The Deliverable

Executive Summary

The Executive Summary outlines what the reader should expect to find in the report. This summary may be used separately from the report. For instance, it may serve as an efficient means of sharing key findings of the evaluation with a large audience or a potential funder. A suggested format comprised of the purpose, goals and objectives, overview of findings, and recommendations is provided below.

Purpose of the Program

Program Evaluation Option: Provide a concise description of the program and its intended effects. Focus on the program’s purpose and key program activities. Describe the program’s target population (i.e., who is served by the program), when and where activities took place, and why the program was set up the way it was (i.e., the program design). Much of this information can be identified in the Purpose Statement. Provide a brief but scholarly conversation on how the program may bring about change.

Secondary Data Analysis Option: Provide a concise description of the project and its intended effects. Much of this information can be identified in the Purpose Statement. Provide a brief but scholarly conversation on how the study may bring about change and contribute to the practice of business.

Goals and Objectives

List the program or secondary data analysis goals and objectives. This information should have been obtained from the stakeholder meetings and identified in Section 1 (program evaluation).

Overview of Findings

Data should be presented in condensed, summary form. For example, to describe quantitative data, you can use frequencies, percentages, or averages. To present qualitative data, you might summarize patterns you detected in observational records or clusters of answers in interview responses. Do not interpret the findings at this point.

Recommendations

Program evaluation option: Recommendations should draw directly on what you have learned in your evaluation and what you know about the program. They should reflect what was reported in your Findings and Interpretations sections. Recommendations may be directed toward the specific program being evaluated. They may also be directed toward the organization, the community being served, the funding agency, or other stakeholders.

Think about the objectives that were not met. Are there program changes that would help meet the objectives? Were the objectives unrealistic? Recommendations can suggest changing how the program is organized or staffed; they can also suggest the modification of objectives.

Recommendations can be creative, as long as they can be realistically implemented. You may be able to provide useful recommendations for the program or may be helpful in determining whether recommendations are realistic.

Focus on a reasonable number of recommendations that will have a significant impact on the program. Avoid listing numerous recommendations that require minor changes or that have no context. Finally, be specific in explaining how implementing the recommendation will improve the program.

Secondary data analysis option: Based on the findings, identify the recommendation you would make to the business community pertaining to your topic. Be sure to keep it within the scope of your analysis. Think about how you would translate the statistical results into recommendations.

Presentation of the Findings (Quantitative)

Describe the statistical test(s), the variables, and the purpose of the test(s), and how they relate to the hypotheses. Present relevant descriptive statistics (i.e., mean, standard deviation for scale variables; frequencies and percentages for nominal variables). Provide evaluation of statistical assumptions. Report inferential statistical analyses results, organized by research question, in APA statistical notation/format. Include alpha level chosen for the test, test value, p (significance) values, effect size, degrees of freedom, confidence intervals (when appropriate), and so on. Include appropriate tables and figures to illustrate results, formatted as per the current edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Summarize answers to research questions. Describe in what ways findings confirm, disconfirm, or extend knowledge of the theoretical framework and relationship(s) among variables by comparing the findings with other peer-reviewed studies from the literature review. Include studies addressed during the proposal stage and studies added since writing the proposal. Tie findings to or dispute findings in the existing literature on effective business practice. Analyze and interpret the findings in the context of the theoretical framework, as appropriate. Ensure interpretations do not exceed the data, findings, and scope. A sample APA-compliant table is included below (see Table 1).

Table 1
A Sample Table Showing Correct Formatting

	Column A	Column B	Column C	Column D
Row 1
Row 2
Row 3
Row 4

Note. From “Attitudes Toward Dissertation Editors,” by W. Student, 2008, Journal of Academic Optimism, 98, p. 11. Reprinted with permission.

Presentation of the Findings (Qualitative)

List the overarching research question. Identify each theme; analyze and discuss findings in relation to the themes. Describe in what ways findings confirm, disconfirm, or extend knowledge in the discipline by comparing the findings with other peer-reviewed studies from the literature review. Include literature added since writing the proposal. Tie findings to the conceptual framework, and tie findings to or dispute findings in the existing literature on effective business practice.

Recommendations for Action

Recommendations should (a) flow logically from the conclusions and contain steps to useful action, (b) state who needs to pay attention to the results, and (c) indicate how the results might be disseminated via literature conferences, training, and so on.

Implications for Social Change

The implications are expressed in terms of tangible improvements to individuals, communities, organizations, institutions, cultures, or societies, as the findings could affect social change/behavior.

Skills and Competencies

List skills and competencies and provide source of evidence.

References

Insert References here. Examples of some common types of references follow; see APA 6.22 and Chapter 7 for more details.

These sample entries are tagged with the “APA Reference” style tag, which means the line spacing and hanging indent are automatic. Apply the “APA Reference” style tag to your entries.

Pay special attention to italics, capitalization, and punctuation. The style tag does not govern those aspects of the entry.

Print periodical (journal)

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (1994). Title of article. Title of Periodical, xx(x), xxx–xxx.

Online periodical (journal)

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (1994). Title of article. Title of Periodical, xx(x), xxx–xxx. doi:xxxxx

Nonperiodical (book)

Author, A. A. (1994). Title of work. City of Publication, ST: Publisher.

Chapter in a book

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (1994). Title of chapter. In A. Editor, B. Editor, & C. Editor (Eds.), Title of book (pp. xxx–xxx). City, ST: Publisher.

Chapter 7 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition,includes numerous examples of reference list entries. For more information on references or APA style, consult the APA website or the Walden Doctoral Capstone Form and Style website.

Appendix A. Title of Appendix

Insert appendix here. Appendices are ordered with letters rather than numbers. If there is but one appendix, it has no letter designation.

The appendices must adhere to the same margin specifications as the body of the dissertation. Photocopied or previously printed material may have to be shifted on the page or reduced in size to fit within the area bounded by the margins.

If the only thing in an appendix is a table, the table title serves as the title of the appendix; no label is needed for the table itself. If you have text in addition to a table or tables in an appendix, label the table with the letter of the appendix (e.g., Table A1, Table A2, Table B1, and so on). These tables would be listed in the List of Tables at the end of the Table of Contents.

If you include in an appendix any prepublished materials that are not in the public domain, you must also include permission to do so.

Template March 2019.