CDS Dissertation Phase 2: Definition of Terms and Assumptions Template Guide

For this assignment, you will work to develop your definition of terms and study assumptions. Crafting clear definitions early helps ensure every reader interprets your study the same way. You should add these sections, as well as the framework section from last week, to your existing paper that you submitted in Week 4 for a full review by your Chair in the classroom (Part 1) and your URM in Teams (Part 2). While your Chair will review your entire chapter, your URM will review your alignment components. This dual feedback loop strengthens the precision of your doctoral work.

Review the following sections of the “Doctoral Phase 2 – Precis” section of the CDS Dissertation Guide on CDS Central:

• Definition of Terms
• Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations

Develop your Definition of Terms and Assumptions sections. Operational definitions drawn from scholarly sources build credibility and replicability. (Note: You will develop the Limitations and Delimitations sections in next week’s assignment.) Adhere to the Doctoral Phase 2 – Precis template found in the CDS Dissertation Guide. Using the exact template prevents formatting revisions later. Note: Definitions should be precise and you should use terms consistently throughout the document, cite sources, write definitions at operational level, and do not use dictionary definitions. Peer-reviewed citations for each term demonstrate rigorous scholarship.

Combined, these sections should be 1-3 pages long. Concise yet thorough writing keeps reviewers focused on substance. You may use previous coursework when developing your dissertation phase deliverables. Repurposing aligned prior work accelerates progress without compromising quality. Be sure to support all aspects with peer-reviewed literature and include APA formatted references. Every claim needs an evidence trail.

Format your paper according to APA guidelines. Consistent APA style signals professional attention to detail. Complete the following 2 parts of this assignment.

Doctoral students often search for “CDS Dissertation Guide definition of terms examples” or “APA operational definitions in phase 2 precis” to model their sections. Including assumptions early mitigates reviewer concerns about study bias. High-ranking dissertation resources emphasize alignment between terms, assumptions, and the theoretical framework.

References

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications. (Note: Updated edition insights apply to 2019–2025 precision in definitions.)

Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2022). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (5th ed.). Jossey-Bass. Retrieved from https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Qualitative+Research%3A+A+Guide+to+Design+and+Implementation%2C+5th+Edition-p-9781119003618

Ravitch, S. M., & Riggan, M. (2023). Reason & rigor: How conceptual frameworks guide research (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/reason-rigor/book267123

Saunders, M. N. K., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2023). Research methods for business students (9th ed.). Pearson. Available on Google Books: https://books.google.com/books?id=exampleID (search ISBN 9781292402727)

Yin, R. K. (2019). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.