Doctor of Strategic Leadership
Liberty University
School of Business
DSL Doctoral Research
Project Guide
V2.5
1971 University Boulevard
Lynchburg, VA 24515-2269
434-582-3000
January 1, 2024
,Liberty University School of Business Doctoral Research Project Guide
Table of Contents
Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 1
The Research Chair ..............................................................................................................2
Concept Alignment in the DRP............................................................................................2
References ............................................................................................................................3
Future vs. Past Tense ............................................................................................................3
Submissions and Revisions ..................................................................................................3
Suggested Research Resources ............................................................................................3
Task Structure and Submissions....................................................................................................... 4
BMAL 887, Doctoral Research Project I ......................................................................................... 6
Task 1: Bullet Point Outline & CITI Certificate ..................................................................6
Task 1: Bullet Point Outline & CITI Certificate - Admin Review ......................................9
Task 2: The Problem ..........................................................................................................11
Task 3: The Nature of the Study ........................................................................................13
Task 4: The Research Framework ......................................................................................15
Task 5: Review of the Professional and Academic Literature Outline ..............................17
Task 6: Supporting Material...............................................................................................19
Task 7: Section 1, Foundation of the Study .......................................................................21
BMAL 888, Doctoral Research Project II...................................................................................... 23
Task 1: Bullet Point Outline ...............................................................................................23
Task 7: Section 1, Foundation of the Study w/Literature Review .....................................25
Task 7: Section 1, Foundation of the Study w/Literature Review – Admin Review .........27
Task 8: The Research ........................................................................................................28
Task 9: Participants, Population, and Sampling.................................................................30
Task 10: Data Collection and Analysis ..............................................................................32
Task 11: Section 2, The Project .........................................................................................34
Task 11: Section 2, The Project – Admin Review .............................................................36
Task 12: The Research Proposal, Proposal Presentation, & IRB Submission ...................38
BMAL 889, Doctoral Research Project III .................................................................................... 40
Task 1: Bullet Point Outline ...............................................................................................40
Task 12: The Research Proposal w/IRB Approval & Permissions ....................................42
Task 12: The Research Proposal w/IRB Approval & Permissions – Admin Review........44
Task 13: Presentation of the Findings ................................................................................46
Task 13: Presentation of the Findings - Admin Review ....................................................48
Task 14: Supporting Material.............................................................................................49
Task 15: Section 3, Application to Professional Practice ..................................................51
Task 16: Doctoral Research Project & Updates .................................................................53
BMAL 890, Doctoral Research Project IV .................................................................................... 55
Task 17: Final Doctoral Research Project ..........................................................................55
Task 17: Final Doctoral Research Project - Admin Review ..............................................57
Document Contents ........................................................................................................................ 59
Abstract ..............................................................................................................................59
Table of Contents ...............................................................................................................59
Section 1: Foundation of the Study ....................................................................................59
Background of the Problem ...............................................................................................59
January 1, 2024 Page i
,Liberty University School of Business Doctoral Research Project Guide
Problem Statement .............................................................................................................59
Research Questions ............................................................................................................60
Purpose Statement ..............................................................................................................61
Research Paradigms ...........................................................................................................61
Design and Method ............................................................................................................62
A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ....................................................64
Definition of Terms ............................................................................................................65
Assumptions, Limitations, Delimitations ...........................................................................65
Assumptions ...........................................................................................................65
Limitations .............................................................................................................65
Delimitations ..........................................................................................................65
Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................65
Improving Leadership Practice ..............................................................................65
Implications for Biblical Integration ......................................................................66
Relationship to Leadership Practice .......................................................................66
Summary of Significance of the Study ..................................................................66
Transition and Summary ....................................................................................................66
References ...................................................................................................................................... 66
Research Chair Responsibilities ..................................................................................................... 67
General ...............................................................................................................................67
Weekly Progress Reports ...................................................................................................68
Grading Tasks ....................................................................................................................68
Posting Final Grades ..........................................................................................................68
Enrolling in BMAL 890 .....................................................................................................69
The Field Study ..................................................................................................................69
Administrative Reviews .....................................................................................................69
Presentations .......................................................................................................................70
Signature Page ....................................................................................................................71
January 1, 2024 Page ii
, Liberty University School of Business Doctoral Research Project Guide
Overview
The Doctoral Research Project (DRP) is the capstone project for the Doctor of Strategic Leadership
(DSL) program. As a capstone project, it is intended for educational purposes to allow the doctoral
candidate to demonstrate the ability to conduct and present meaningful doctoral-level research.
The DRP is limited to a Single Case Study design focusing on a leadership problem found in the
literature within an organization. The DRP is not intended for publication, and the results are not
intended to be relatable or generalizable to a larger population.
You are no longer a student – You have now completed the transition from student to doctoral
candidate. This is a significant milestone that shifts the burden from a professor in a course
teaching you things you do not know to you applying what you have already learned! Your
Research Chair is here to evaluate your work and point out areas for improvement, not teach you
how to accomplish each task. You are responsible for reviewing the guidelines provided and
submitting work that is compliant with them. When you hit a roadblock or do not understand a
particular aspect of your research project you need to be able to work your way through the issue
by studying the problem, conducting further research, and determining the best solution.
The doctoral candidate progresses through the DRP by first conducting a review of the literature
to find an applied organizational problem related to leadership. The problem is known in the
literature and generally understood, but perhaps not well understood in a specific context such as
a particular industry or a region of the country. Next, the doctoral candidate develops a research
proposal and once approved, locates an organization where the problem can be studied. Finally,
the doctoral candidate conducts the study, documents the results, and presents the research to their
Research Chair. The goal of the DRP is to gain a better understanding of the leadership problem
being studied within the context of an organization. The doctoral candidate is earning a doctorate
degree in Strategic Leadership and therefore it is important for the candidate to clearly articulate
an organizational problem that leaders are experiencing resulting in organizational consequences.
The DRP is made up of three sections: The Foundation of the Study, The Project, and the
Application to Professional Practice. These three sections are developed in BMAL 887, 888, and
889 respectively. The first two sections together make up the research proposal and are approved
by the Research Chair and DSL Administration prior to beginning the field study. Once the study
is completed, all three sections are combined to form the Doctoral Research Project. The research
is presented, and the final document is reviewed and approved in BMAL 890. The research is
intended to be original and replication studies will not be allowed. While secondary data can be
used for triangulation, the data acquisition plan for the study will focus on primary data.
Key Research Characteristics of the DRP:
o Focus - Leadership related problem supported by current literature (within 5 years)
o Scope - Single organization or a group of homogenous organizations (likeness in kind)
o Research Design - Single Case Study
o Study Participants - Between 15 and 30 primary participants (i.e., leaders)
o Primary Data Collection Tool – In-depth live interviews
o Proposal presentation & IRB approval
o Final presentation of the research, no defense or publication
o Research Chair – Primary point of contact and mentor
o No Committee
January 1, 2024 Page 1 of 71
Liberty University
School of Business
DSL Doctoral Research
Project Guide
V2.5
1971 University Boulevard
Lynchburg, VA 24515-2269
434-582-3000
January 1, 2024
,Liberty University School of Business Doctoral Research Project Guide
Table of Contents
Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 1
The Research Chair ..............................................................................................................2
Concept Alignment in the DRP............................................................................................2
References ............................................................................................................................3
Future vs. Past Tense ............................................................................................................3
Submissions and Revisions ..................................................................................................3
Suggested Research Resources ............................................................................................3
Task Structure and Submissions....................................................................................................... 4
BMAL 887, Doctoral Research Project I ......................................................................................... 6
Task 1: Bullet Point Outline & CITI Certificate ..................................................................6
Task 1: Bullet Point Outline & CITI Certificate - Admin Review ......................................9
Task 2: The Problem ..........................................................................................................11
Task 3: The Nature of the Study ........................................................................................13
Task 4: The Research Framework ......................................................................................15
Task 5: Review of the Professional and Academic Literature Outline ..............................17
Task 6: Supporting Material...............................................................................................19
Task 7: Section 1, Foundation of the Study .......................................................................21
BMAL 888, Doctoral Research Project II...................................................................................... 23
Task 1: Bullet Point Outline ...............................................................................................23
Task 7: Section 1, Foundation of the Study w/Literature Review .....................................25
Task 7: Section 1, Foundation of the Study w/Literature Review – Admin Review .........27
Task 8: The Research ........................................................................................................28
Task 9: Participants, Population, and Sampling.................................................................30
Task 10: Data Collection and Analysis ..............................................................................32
Task 11: Section 2, The Project .........................................................................................34
Task 11: Section 2, The Project – Admin Review .............................................................36
Task 12: The Research Proposal, Proposal Presentation, & IRB Submission ...................38
BMAL 889, Doctoral Research Project III .................................................................................... 40
Task 1: Bullet Point Outline ...............................................................................................40
Task 12: The Research Proposal w/IRB Approval & Permissions ....................................42
Task 12: The Research Proposal w/IRB Approval & Permissions – Admin Review........44
Task 13: Presentation of the Findings ................................................................................46
Task 13: Presentation of the Findings - Admin Review ....................................................48
Task 14: Supporting Material.............................................................................................49
Task 15: Section 3, Application to Professional Practice ..................................................51
Task 16: Doctoral Research Project & Updates .................................................................53
BMAL 890, Doctoral Research Project IV .................................................................................... 55
Task 17: Final Doctoral Research Project ..........................................................................55
Task 17: Final Doctoral Research Project - Admin Review ..............................................57
Document Contents ........................................................................................................................ 59
Abstract ..............................................................................................................................59
Table of Contents ...............................................................................................................59
Section 1: Foundation of the Study ....................................................................................59
Background of the Problem ...............................................................................................59
January 1, 2024 Page i
,Liberty University School of Business Doctoral Research Project Guide
Problem Statement .............................................................................................................59
Research Questions ............................................................................................................60
Purpose Statement ..............................................................................................................61
Research Paradigms ...........................................................................................................61
Design and Method ............................................................................................................62
A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ....................................................64
Definition of Terms ............................................................................................................65
Assumptions, Limitations, Delimitations ...........................................................................65
Assumptions ...........................................................................................................65
Limitations .............................................................................................................65
Delimitations ..........................................................................................................65
Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................65
Improving Leadership Practice ..............................................................................65
Implications for Biblical Integration ......................................................................66
Relationship to Leadership Practice .......................................................................66
Summary of Significance of the Study ..................................................................66
Transition and Summary ....................................................................................................66
References ...................................................................................................................................... 66
Research Chair Responsibilities ..................................................................................................... 67
General ...............................................................................................................................67
Weekly Progress Reports ...................................................................................................68
Grading Tasks ....................................................................................................................68
Posting Final Grades ..........................................................................................................68
Enrolling in BMAL 890 .....................................................................................................69
The Field Study ..................................................................................................................69
Administrative Reviews .....................................................................................................69
Presentations .......................................................................................................................70
Signature Page ....................................................................................................................71
January 1, 2024 Page ii
, Liberty University School of Business Doctoral Research Project Guide
Overview
The Doctoral Research Project (DRP) is the capstone project for the Doctor of Strategic Leadership
(DSL) program. As a capstone project, it is intended for educational purposes to allow the doctoral
candidate to demonstrate the ability to conduct and present meaningful doctoral-level research.
The DRP is limited to a Single Case Study design focusing on a leadership problem found in the
literature within an organization. The DRP is not intended for publication, and the results are not
intended to be relatable or generalizable to a larger population.
You are no longer a student – You have now completed the transition from student to doctoral
candidate. This is a significant milestone that shifts the burden from a professor in a course
teaching you things you do not know to you applying what you have already learned! Your
Research Chair is here to evaluate your work and point out areas for improvement, not teach you
how to accomplish each task. You are responsible for reviewing the guidelines provided and
submitting work that is compliant with them. When you hit a roadblock or do not understand a
particular aspect of your research project you need to be able to work your way through the issue
by studying the problem, conducting further research, and determining the best solution.
The doctoral candidate progresses through the DRP by first conducting a review of the literature
to find an applied organizational problem related to leadership. The problem is known in the
literature and generally understood, but perhaps not well understood in a specific context such as
a particular industry or a region of the country. Next, the doctoral candidate develops a research
proposal and once approved, locates an organization where the problem can be studied. Finally,
the doctoral candidate conducts the study, documents the results, and presents the research to their
Research Chair. The goal of the DRP is to gain a better understanding of the leadership problem
being studied within the context of an organization. The doctoral candidate is earning a doctorate
degree in Strategic Leadership and therefore it is important for the candidate to clearly articulate
an organizational problem that leaders are experiencing resulting in organizational consequences.
The DRP is made up of three sections: The Foundation of the Study, The Project, and the
Application to Professional Practice. These three sections are developed in BMAL 887, 888, and
889 respectively. The first two sections together make up the research proposal and are approved
by the Research Chair and DSL Administration prior to beginning the field study. Once the study
is completed, all three sections are combined to form the Doctoral Research Project. The research
is presented, and the final document is reviewed and approved in BMAL 890. The research is
intended to be original and replication studies will not be allowed. While secondary data can be
used for triangulation, the data acquisition plan for the study will focus on primary data.
Key Research Characteristics of the DRP:
o Focus - Leadership related problem supported by current literature (within 5 years)
o Scope - Single organization or a group of homogenous organizations (likeness in kind)
o Research Design - Single Case Study
o Study Participants - Between 15 and 30 primary participants (i.e., leaders)
o Primary Data Collection Tool – In-depth live interviews
o Proposal presentation & IRB approval
o Final presentation of the research, no defense or publication
o Research Chair – Primary point of contact and mentor
o No Committee
January 1, 2024 Page 1 of 71
