NURS 8551 Week 9: Purpose and Social Change

NURS 8551: Preparing for Dissertation | Week 9 essay assignment

Walden University provides a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change.

—Walden University Mission Statement

NURS 8551 Week 9: Purpose and Social Change essay assignment

As a Walden student, you have been involved in coursework that has explicitly addressed social change. As a doctoral student, you have the opportunity to choose an area to study that, when researched, produces social change. As noted on the Walden website, Walden University defines social changes as “a deliberate process of creating and applying ideas, strategies, and actions to promote the worth, dignity, and development of individuals and communities alike” (Walden, n.d.-o). This is an important challenge and responsibility to consider at this stage of your dissertation.

This week, you consider the potential of your dissertation research to effect social change.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Analyze the potential of dissertation research to effect social change

    The mission of Walden University is to develop not only scholar-practitioners but also to foster positive social change. This mission has a great potential impact on 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” between what is known and what is not known can have authentic, far-reaching ramifications. Quality Indicator 6 in the Dissertation Prospectus Guide poses this question: “Does this project have [the] potential to [e] affect positive social change?” The “An Annotated Outline” section within the Dissertation 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 of 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 dissertation efforts.

    NURS 8551 Week 9: Purpose and Social Change

  • By Day 3

    Post a brief description of your dissertation topic and an explanation of the purpose of your study. Explain how your dissertation research might affect social change. Be specific and use examples to illustrate your explanation.

    Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

    By Day 5

    Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ postings by asking a probing question or offering additional ways the dissertation topic could affect social change.

    Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.