Discussion: Your Research and Social Change
The mission of Walden University is to develop not only scholar-practitioners, but also to foster positive social change. This mission has great potential impact for students at any degree level, but, for the doctoral student, it is particularly relevant. The research that you undertake, and the questions that you ask to "fill in the gaps" of what is known and what is not known can have authentic, far-reaching ramifications. Quality Indicator 6 in the Doctoral Study Prospectus Guide poses this question: "Does this project have the potential to effect positive social change?" The "Annotated Outline" section within the Doctoral Study Prospectus Guide-your model for completing your own draft-includes a section titled "Significance" that asks, "How might the potential findings lead to positive social change?" The tenets of positive social change are deeply embedded in Walden University, and your own research will continue to contribute to that tradition.
With consideration to this clear commitment, think about your area of interest and your research questions. How does your research topic contribute to positive social change? Additional consideration of this question at this point might further fuel your Doctoral Study efforts.
Post a brief description of your Doctoral Study topic and an explanation of the purpose of your study. Explain how your Doctoral Study research might effect social change. Be specific and use examples to illustrate your explanation.
Support your Discussion with citations and specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list for all resources, including those in the resources for this course.
Read a selection of your colleagues' postings.
The topic I have chosen for my Doctoral Study Premise is: The impact of caregiver role strain in caring for Alzheimer's patients.
RQ1: How does depression with informal caregiving differ between those providing care for Alzheimer's patients versus patients with other chronic health conditions?
RQ2: What is the correlation between stress/anxiety in caregivers of people with Alzheimer's versus caregivers of patients with other chronic health conditions?
The secondary data set resource is very important in research, as we have learned along this journey. I have looked at several different options for secondary data and have found that the National Alliance for Caregiving has the most complete information related to this topic. From this site, I have found 2 different data sets that have very valuable information which are: On Pins & Needles - Caregivers of Adults with Mental Illness and What Made You Think Mom Had Alzheimer's?