research questions in project management

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125 Project Management Research Topics Ideas

Are you urgently in need of top-class project management research topics for your upcoming exam? Keep reading for exclusive writing ideas.

Those who have handled a project management thesis before can witness that this is not a smooth affair. The creativity, level of research, and critical thinking necessary for developing such a paper require a mature student. The greatest hurdle comes in when you want to develop your research topic. Our professional writers have everything you need to write an award-winning paper. Scroll down to find out how?

What Is A Project Management Research Paper?

It is an assignment that requires students to integrate the different processes to achieve a particular goal and deliverables. Project management is based on the principle that all tasks are special, and thus, you should not treat two tasks as the same.

In this type of assignment, students have to develop many coordination skills and fairness in dealing with various projects. Since various tasks differ in line with their functional procedures, you have to dig deeper to determine how each yields direct and proportional earnings in the end.

Does all these sound like rocket science to you? Well, the next few lines will make you understand this subject better.

Key Points About A Project Management Thesis

There are different steps involved in writing a project management paper. These will contribute to the body paragraphs’ overall quality, length, and depth. The various practices involved in project management include:

Initiating Planning Executing Controlling Closing the work of a team

When you bring all these processes together, you can achieve a particular goal or specific success within the set time. That brings us to a critical component of project management – time!

Every project has a given time frame within which it is complete. It is the primary challenge as time constraints are always when unexpected issues arise. However, with practice, time will not be a factor anymore; it will be the motivation for completing a particular project.

If you don’t feel those skills are important to you, you can get custom dissertation help from our expert team.

How To Write A Top-Rated Project Management Paper

For you to write a paper that will get the attention of your university teacher, there are various steps that you have to take. Remember that you have to demonstrate to your professor that you understand your topic and can significantly contribute to the topic at the end of the day.

Here is a step-by-step guide that will take you through the full process of project management writing:

Understand your assignment: You should carefully read the question and point out any confusing part that you may need clarity with your professor. You also set the goal, timeline, length, format, and other requirements.
Develop an interesting project management topic: The best way to generate a writing idea is by brainstorming. You can ask a friend tutor or get inspiration from other research papers.
Begin your preliminary research: You can point out arguments that seem important to your topic and find captivating angles to present them. It is advisable to consult sources such as books, journals, or reliable websites. Having research questions in this section will give you ample time.
Think of an exciting thesis statement: This will be your central argument that will establish your research paper’s position and purpose. Remember to include the evidence and reasoning you intend to support your answer.
Develop an outline for your paper: It includes the key topics, arguments, and examples that will feature in your paper. Having a structured outline helps you complete the writing process effortlessly.

Once you complete these steps, your writing will be like a walk in the park. You will express your ideas clearly and have a logical paper.

Now let’s explore some of the most sought after project management topics:

Easy Project Management Research Topics

How to implement capital improvement projects
Discuss the essence of a good project management plan before the onset
The role of technology and funding in implementing projects
Consider the effects of working from home on project management
How global companies manage projects across various regions
What is the impact of the world becoming a global village in project management?
Why is it necessary to segment tasks in a multi-sectorial project?
Discuss the process of harmonizing systems, people, and resources
Why is project management as a course in school necessary for the job market?
Discuss the challenges related to transit projects
Evaluate the various trends in project management in the digital age
The role of leadership systems in project management
Why time management is necessary for the completion of any task
How to develop achievable goals or aspirations in a project
The role of risk management before embarking on a project

High-Quality Project Management Topics

The undisputed role of administrators in any project
Technological systems that have made project management easier
Discuss the complexity in completing different projects
Why should every project have a project tracking instrument?
Steps towards developing a working budget for a project
Why do project managers write a proposal before embarking on the actual work?
How often should the project manager meet to discuss the progress of a project?
How to develop cost-effective projects in developed nations
Discuss the various sources of primary funding for projects
Why are communications skills necessary for any project?
Compare and contrast the completion rate of government projects versus private projects.
Discuss the authorization process of a project

Custom Project Management Research Paper Topics

Discuss the roles of various officers involved in the running of a project
What makes a particular project require a great number of resources?
How to develop objectives and scope of work for different projects
Analyze how the 24-hour economy is impacting the completing of massive projects
Why it is important to determine the timing of an escalation in a project
Should project managers remain engaged throughout the lifecycle of a project?
Discuss some of the leadership qualities necessary for project management
Why motivation is necessary for the completion of any project
How to point out signs of retardation in a project
The essence of addressing emerging issues in a project as soon as possible
What are the differences at the micro and macro levels of a project?
Steps involved in the termination process of a project

The Best Project Management Topics For Research

Compare and contrast the procedural and mechanical parts of a project
How to yield direct and proportional earnings from a project
Management of a project during the economic recession
Evaluate how COVID-19 restrictions impacted project management policies
The role of integrating people and machines in the completion of projects
Analyze the role of soft skills in project success rates
How does cultural diversity impact project performance in the US?
Why it is important to keep financial records in the implementation of a project
Evaluate the design and implementation of projects
A review of the stalled projects and why the project managers are to blame
An in-depth analysis of procurement procedures in project management
How organizational characters affect the development of a project

College Project Management Topics For Research Papers

Investigate the organizational characteristics that affect project completion
Identify cost-effective key performance indicators in a project?
Social network analysis tools necessary for project management
Discuss how emotional intelligence leads to the success of a project
How to develop an effective project scheduling system for large projects
Why standard operating procedures are necessary for effective projects
The role of teamwork and collaboration in project completion
Why quality control is necessary for any successful project
Effective resource management techniques for technical projects
Interpersonal skills that will make a project work
Ethics involved in project management
Discuss project mapping and progress reporting

Latest Research Topics For Project Management

Are all project problems an indicator of more trouble to come?
The role of identifying job descriptions in the success of projects
Why it is necessary to incorporate staff retention and training in projects
Evaluate the various project documentation processes
How to develop better project control and management tools
Discuss the differences between contractual and commercial management of projects
Why delays and disruptions increase the cost of projects
Impact of timely delivery of projects on economic development of countries
Effects of sanctions of global projects
Discuss conflict resolution practices in a particular project
How to develop credit risk modeling techniques for projects
Why appraisals and incentives are necessary for project success

Hot Research Project Topics In Business Management

The role of business planning in a competitive environment
How different business structures affect their development paradigms
How to develop effective customer service strategies for businesses
Why it is necessary to resolve employment issues before they escalate
Inventory control practices in business management
Discussing the necessity of keeping a keen eye on tax compliance in business establishments
The role of record-keeping in the management of business ventures
How to develop pricing structures that will keep the business afloat
Discuss the peculiarities of merchandising and packaging
Evaluate how insurance is necessary for any business
Marketing strategies that will outshine competitors in a business setting
How e-commerce is transforming project management in businesses

Innovative Topics For Project Management Research

The role of decision making and problem-solving in project management
Why technology and analytics are important components of successful projects
How to use organizational culture to the benefit of project management
How to manage international businesses using social media
Discuss the role of entrepreneurs and founders in project development
Effective operation strategies for developing projects
How to adjust and adapt to organizational change
Performance indicators that are necessary for competitive project management
The role of feedback in the development of any commercial project
Why personal productivity is necessary for any project management strategy
Reasons why health and behavioral science are important in project management
Discuss the effects of globalization on project management policies

Quality Research Topics In Management

Discuss the role of government policies and regulations in project management
How power and influence impact award of tenders for various projects
Human rights to consider in project management
The role of incubation hubs in project development
Cross-functional management in projects
Team member engagement in project management
Legal issues in project management
Political interference in development projects
Evaluate various workspaces design
Why should workplace health and safety be a priority in project management?
Virtual teams and project management
Why mission statements are necessary for project management

Construction Project Management Research Topics

Best practices in digital project management
How English as a language necessitates project management
Online technologies that offer innovative project management ideas
Student-centered symposiums in project management
Cheap project management solutions that offer quality output
The role of expatriates in development projects
Discuss the four phases of project management
How to manage change in a project
Agile innovation methods for project success
Quantitative tools for project management
The revival of the construction project economy
Developing sustainable construction projects
The impact of building information modeling
Collaborative work in project management

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What is a Project Management Research Paper?

Project management research papers are academic documents that go deeply into a single topic or aspect of the field of project management. It is usually written by students, researchers, or professionals in the field of project management, and its goal is to add new knowledge, insights, or views to the field.

A research paper on project management will look at some aspects of project management, be it a theoretical framework, methodology, best practices, or case studies. It entails conducting a systematic investigation into the chosen topic, accumulating and analyzing relevant information, and drawing conclusions or making suggestions based on the findings. The study of the project management research topics 2024 will help budding project managers along with PMP certification training .

List of Project Management Research Topics and Ideas

Here is a list of project management research topics, for writing your project research paper.


1	Impact of Global Leadership in Leading to the Success of a Project
2	Effects of Cultural Diversity on Project Performance
3	Popular Leadership Style Used by Project Managers
4	Evaluate PMBOK Guidelines
5	Stakeholder Approach to Successful Adoption of Projects
6	Effect of Change Mobilization on Companies
7	Impact of Reward System on Boosting Productivity
8	Relation Between Leadership and Change Management
9	How to Develop Cost-effective Projects in Developed Nations?
	What is a Project Management Research Paper?

1. Impact of Global Leadership in Leading to the Success of a Project

The following are the key points covered in the thesis on project management of “Impact of global leadership in leading to the success of a project”.

Global Leadership in Leading Projects: Global leadership is the skill of project managers to lead and manage project teams that are from different cultures, different time zones, and different parts of the world. It means learning and adjusting to different cultural norms, ways of communicating, and ways of doing work.
Communication and Working Together: Good communication and working together are key to the success of a project, especially when it's a global project.
Team Building and Motivation: Global leaders must establish trust, develop a sense of a common goal, and provide adequate support and recognition to team members regardless of their geographic location.
Knowledge Transfer and Learning: The importance of knowledge transfer and learning among project teams should be highlighted by global leadership.

The influence of global leadership on the success of a project has become an increasingly vital subject of research in the discipline of project management. Project teams are becoming more diverse, multicultural, and geographically dispersed as organizations continue to expand their global operations. This trend has created an urgent need for effective global leadership to navigate the complexities and challenges of managing projects across multiple countries, cultures, and time zones.

2. Effects of Cultural Diversity on Project Performance

Understanding Cultural Diversity: People from other cultures bring their own unique set of values, beliefs, behaviors, and modes of communication to the table, creating a rich stew of cultural diversity.
Benefits of Cultural Diversity in Project Management: Cultural diversity has various advantages for project management in addition to highlighting differences.
Challenges of Cultural Diversity in Project Management: Even though cultural diversity can have a lot of positive effects on a project, it also poses special difficulties that project managers must overcome to ensure project success.
Effective Management of Culturally Diverse Teams: It can be difficult to manage a team with different cultural backgrounds, but with the correct strategy, project managers can capitalize on diversity's advantages and complete projects successfully.

This research topic, it is examined how cultural diversity affects project performance as well as how project managers may successfully lead a multicultural team to project success.

In today's globalized world, cultural diversity is more common than ever and has a big impact on project management. Project managers need to understand how cultural variations between the team, stakeholders, and clients might impact project performance.

3. Popular Leadership Style Used by Project Managers

The following are the key points discussed in the research paper “Popular leadership style used by project managers”.

Qualities of Effective Leadership.
Leadership Styles of Project Managers:
Democratic leadership style
Transformational leadership style
Situational leadership style
Comparative analysis
Charismatic leadership style
Summarizing the main findings and contributions of the research.

The paper begins by emphasizing the significance of effective project management leadership and its influence on project outcomes. It emphasizes that project managers require not only technical expertise but also the ability to inspire and lead their teams to deliver results. The purpose of this study is to identify the most prevalent leadership styles employed by project managers and cast light on their effectiveness within the context of project management.

Overall, the project management research paper offers insightful insights into the most prevalent leadership styles employed by project managers. It provides a thorough comprehension of the significance of leadership in project management and emphasizes the effectiveness of transformational leadership in motivating high-performance teams. The findings are a valuable resource for project managers and other professionals who wish to improve their leadership skills and project outcomes.

4. Evaluate PMBOK Guidelines

The following are the key points in “Evaluate the PMBOK guidelines”.

Introduction to PMBOK Guidelines
Evaluation of Strengths
Identification of Weaknesses
Areas for Improvement
Suggestions for Enhancements

This research paper tries to evaluate the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guidelines, a widely accepted project management standard. The PMBOK provides a comprehensive framework and best practices for effectively managing projects. This study analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the PMBOK guidelines, identifies areas for improvement, and proposes potential enhancements to increase its relevance and applicability in modern project management practices.

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5. Stakeholder Approach to Successful Adoption of Projects

The following are the key points discussed in the research paper “Stakeholder Approach to Successful Adoption of Projects.”

This paper examines the significance of stakeholder management to the successful adoption of projects.
Understanding Stakeholders
Significance of Stakeholder Management
Stakeholder Analysis
Engaging Stakeholders
Stakeholder Engagement Strategies
Managing Stakeholder Expectations
Overcoming Challenges
Benefits of the Stakeholder Approach

This research paper begins with an overview of stakeholders and their significance in project management. It emphasizes that stakeholders include individuals, groups, and organizations that can influence a project or be influenced by it. The paper emphasizes the necessity of identifying, analyzing, and ranking stakeholders based on their interests, power, and influence while acknowledging the wide variety of stakeholders involved in any given project.

The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of adopting a stakeholder-based approach to project management for attaining successful project outcomes. It prioritizes the need for project managers to recognize stakeholders as essential collaborators and engage them actively throughout the project lifecycle. By considering the interests of stakeholders, managing their expectations, and maintaining open communication channels, projects can increase their likelihood of successful adoption and long-term sustainability.

6. Effect of Change Mobilization on Companies

The following are the key points discussed in the research paper “Effects of change mobilization in Companies.”

Importance of Change Mobilization
Change Mobilization Strategies
Impact on Organizational Performance
Challenges and Barriers to Change Mobilization
Overcoming Challenges and Enhancing Change Mobilization

The "Effect of Change Mobilization in Companies" research paper investigates the influence of change mobilization on organizational performance and employee engagement. The study investigates the numerous strategies and approaches utilized by businesses to successfully carry out and oversee initiatives to change. The findings demonstrate a positive relationship between effective change mobilization and increased productivity, innovation, and employee satisfaction. The paper highlights the significance of leadership, communication, and employee participation in facilitating organizational change.

7. Impact of Reward System on Boosting Productivity

The following are the key points included in the project management research paper “Impact of a reward system on boosting productivity”.

This paper investigates the effect of a reward system on boosting productivity in a variety of contexts.
Importance of Rewards in Motivation.
Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Reward Systems.
Types of Rewards
Case Studies and Empirical Evidence.
Challenges and Limitations.
The research paper also concludes that well-designed reward systems can have a positive impact on productivity by motivating individuals and fostering a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

The research paper investigates the effects of implementing a reward system on organizational productivity levels. The study investigates how incentives and recognition can positively impact employee motivation, engagement, and overall performance.

Overall, the research paper illuminates the significant influence of a reward system on increasing organizational productivity. It provides administrators and human resource professionals with valuable insights and recommendations that can be used to improve employee motivation and performance, leading to increased productivity and organizational success.

8. Relation Between Leadership and Change Management

The following are the key points discussed in the research paper “Relation between Leadership and Change Management”:

Definition of leadership and change management in the project management context.
Leadership's Role in Change Management.
Leadership Styles and Change Management.
Key Factors for Effective Leadership in Change Management.
Case Studies and Examples.
Challenges and Recommendations.

This project management research topic examines the vital connection between leadership and change management in the context of project management. It attempts to examine how effective leadership influences the success of organizational change initiatives. Examining various leadership styles and their influence on change management processes, the study identifies the important factors that contribute to effective leadership in driving successful change.

9. How to Develop Cost-effective Projects in Developed Nations?

The following are the key points discussed in the research paper “How to Develop Cost-effective Projects in Developed Nations”:

A survey of project management in developed countries
The significance of efficiency in project development.
Objective and methodology of research.
Cost-effectiveness factors in developed countries.
Cost-Effective Project Management Strategies.
Case Studies and Effective Methods.
Cost-Effective Project Management Framework for Developed Nations.

This research paper concentrates on the identification of strategies and methods to build cost-effective projects in developed nations. The study acknowledges the challenges project managers experience in high-cost environments and aims to provide practical insights and suggestions for achieving optimal project outcomes while minimizing costs. The paper synthesizes current research and case studies to highlight key contributors to cost-effectiveness and presents a framework for project management in developed nations.

10. Analyze the Role of Soft Skills in Project Success Rates

The following are the key points included in the research paper “Analyze the Role of soft skills in project success rates”:

Definition of soft skills
Importance of soft skills in project management
Relation between soft skills and project accomplishment
Effective communication
Leadership and team management
Resolution of disagreements and problem-solving
Importance of soft skills development
Team composition and selection
Integration of soft skills in project management practices

The "Analyze the Role of Soft Skills in Project Success Rates" research paper examines the significance of soft skills in determining project success rates. Soft skills are a collection of personal characteristics and interpersonal abilities that enable individuals to communicate, collaborate, and manage relationships in professional settings. This study seeks to investigate the effect of these abilities on project outcomes, shedding light on their contribution to project success.The paper begins with an introduction to the significance of soft skills in the contemporary workplace, emphasizing their increasing recognition alongside technical expertise. It emphasizes the growing complexity of initiatives and the need for effective teamwork, communication, and leadership skills to successfully navigate such complexity.

Software Project Management Research Topics

These topics cover a range of critical issues, tactics, risk management, AI integration, and agile methodologies in software project management.

Software Project Management Challenges in Distributed and Remote Teams.
Effective Software Project Risk Management Strategies.
The Role of DevOps in Accelerating Software Project Delivery.
Agile vs. Waterfall: Comparative Analysis in Software Project Management.
Quality Assurance and Testing Practices in Software Project Management.
Project Portfolio Management in Software Organizations.
Managing Scope Changes and Requirements Volatility in Software Projects.

Construction Project Management Research Ideas

These topics cover sustainability, safety, technology adoption, and stakeholder engagement in construction project management.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation in Large-Scale Construction Projects.
The Role of Technology in Improving Construction Project Efficiency.
Resource Allocation and Cost Control in Construction Methods.
Safety Management and Accident Prevention in Construction.
Optimizing Construction Project Scheduling and Time Management.
Green Building Practices and Sustainable Construction Projects.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication in Complex Construction Projects.
Impact of Lean Construction Principles on Project Delivery.

Research Topics for Project Management in Healthcare

These topics cover various aspects of healthcare project management, facility construction, implementing technology, quality improvement, and crisis management.

Healthcare Supply Chain Management and Project Efficiency.
Managing Change in Healthcare Organizations: A Project Management Perspective.
Optimizing Healthcare Facility Construction and Renovation Projects.
Telemedicine Project Management and its Impact on Health care Delivery.
Healthcare Project Risk Management: A Case Study Analysis.
Patient-Centered Care Initiatives and Project Management Best Practices.
Quality Improvement Projects in Healthcare: Challenges and Success Factors.

Research Topics in the Agile Project Management

How can project managers survive the agile scare?
Can a project manager be an effective scrum master?
Agile leadership - Looking beyond the project management horizon
Lean agile principles and project management - applying these constructively
Zeroing down on the role of a functional manager in agile project management
Measuring agile adoption across the organization
Tips for being an effective impediment remover while driving projects successfully across the industries
Scrum best practices with project management - creating high performing teams
How utilization metrics help and what can project managers do to address low team utilization ratios?
Beyond velocity - a look at key metrics for agile teams
Roadmap planning - how does it help project managers?
Understanding the overlapping roles of product and project management
DevOps framework - explainer of the 4 pillars of DevOps
Can a project manager be an effective impediment remover for teams
How to manage risks effectively in case of distributed teams
Changes in project management after the pandemic era
Proven change management strategies for project managers
Demystifying resource utilization to solve project problems
How to drive effective retrospectives for any agile team
Improving collaboration a key ingredient for project success
Evolution of project lifecycle - from traditional to agile
Avoiding pitfalls when scaling agile
SAFe vs LeSS - understanding distinct agile methodologies
Why is scrum the most popular agile methodology
Product backlog - the key to agile project success

Project Management Research Topics in by Project Phases

A. project initiation .

Explained - the art of choosing the right projects for the organization
Mapping portfolio vision to project execution methods
Understanding patterns of successful project selection methods
What must project managers know about benefits management
Project tradeoffs and how, what and when to make the choice
The 4 quadrants of choosing the right projects
Sunk costs - how to avoid hitting the tip of the iceberg
The art of stakeholder management in project management
Move stakeholders from unaware to leading - a guide for project managers
Stakeholder engagement - the hidden truth of project management
Identifying stakeholders - the first step to effective project management
How to convert business documents to project documentation

B. Project Planning

Peeling the agile planning onion layer by layer
Shift left project planning from top-down to bottoms-up
Understanding importance of Gantt charts in project planning
Planning cross-vertical projects - Do’s and Don'ts
Avoiding project planning pitfalls
Project planning for dummies
Passing the baton from project planning to implementation
Planning projects as a servant leader
Capacity planning and its applications across software development
A guide to rolling-wave planning and its benefits
Comparative analysis - project scheduling and planning tools
Scope management - establishing clear boundaries for project success

C. Project Execution

Handover from project planning to execution - A checklist
Balancing the project management triangle in a chaotic environment
Project documentation - the backbone of project management and execution
Executing projects with the help of modern day GPTs
Execute projects using AI - going beyond traditional project management
How AI can change the way project managers think about project execution
Different ways to capture unknown-unknowns in project management
Contingency planning - how to plan for the worst and prepare for the best
Executing cross-vertical projects - common challenges and pitfalls
Linking themes, initiatives, and user stories - lessons for project managers
Success stories on project communication - how to engage team members effectively
Communication tools and strategies - chalking the project management path

D. Project Monitoring and Controlling

What metrics must project managers see on a daily basis
Fix the scope creep and gold plating problems the traditional way
The art of project management - how to monitor and control projects effectively
Effective risk management for project managers
How to monitor projects using ChatGPT prompts
Risk management 101 - 101 common risks every PM must know
Patterns in risk management - how to uncover risks early and easily
Quality control - the most effective methods for project success
Impact of continuous improvement on project success and methods
What cannot be fixed in projects - tips every project manager must know
Triaging meetings - the lesser known project management gemstone
Common project monitoring and control pitfalls every PM must avoid

E. Project Closure

Simplifying project closure - ways to effectively close projects
Why 90% project managers fail to close projects convincingly
Balancing stakeholders during project closure
Project closure - transitioning from project management to benefits management
Project closure checklist - common handoffs to complete and close projects
The what and how of post project evaluations
How to perform effective retrospectives in any project
Creating Organization Process Assets and lessons learned while closing projects
Knowledge transfer - moving from project management to operations
Establishing measures to address challenges when closing projects
How can project managers learn from failures while closing projects
Common project closure pitfalls every PM must avoid.

Project Research Topics by Domain

A. finance and accounting .

A guide to key financial performance indicators (KPIs) to measure projects
Cost benefit accounting and analysis in financial project selection
Comparative analysis of project budgeting methods in finance and accounting projects
Knowing what types of financial metrics are used in project evaluation
Transparency and Accountability in project management reporting
Project financial management - a guide to cost benefit analysis
Key to project financial disclosures for project managers
Risk mitigation and management in project financial analysis
Key financial ratios to review project performance
Project financial statements that a project manager must analyze during project closure

B. Sales and Marketing

Borrowing techniques from project management for effective campaign planning
Strategies for conducting comprehensive market research
Product launch - creating a step-by-step path using project management practices
How to add project management best practices to establish robust marketing management plans
Project management in the digital age - tools to run digital marketing strategies
Best practices and pitfalls for sales and marketing projects
Project management practices to design and conduct impactful sales trainings
Successful planning and control techniques experienced marketing managers must know
How can project managers drive transition from sales management to service management
How can project managers draft a successful CRM implementation plan

C. Manufacturing Industry

TQM - the role of Total Quality Management in the manufacturing industry
Getting the hands dirty - techniques PMs must employ for project management in factories
Green manufacturing initiatives - how do they influence projects and project management
Exploring project communication strategies and challenges in manufacturing project management
How has six sigma and lean quality principles helped project management
Waste reduction - the science every project manager in manufacturing must know
Meeting labor needs - techniques for project managers to work with labor unions
Project management and Internet of Things - driving innovation in industry 4.0
Why quality is everyone’s responsibility in the project
How can project managers create an effective documentation strategy for manufacturing industry

D. Service Industry

Bridging the customer experience gap in project management
Project management and customer satisfaction - making two ends meet
Analysis of Agile adoption across industries and domains
Embracing project management success strategies in the digital PM drive
Risk management in service industry - an overview
ChatGPT prompts that every project manager must know
How ChatGPT can calculate Key Performance Indicators for any project
Common project pitfalls that every project manager must know
Applying agile techniques in service industry
Enhancing digital adoption via various channels and techniques

Project Research Topics for the Non IT Industry

Application of project management practices in Finance and Accounting
Project management best practices for healthcare industry
How project management can help optimize operations management
Establishing measures for effective project management in primary industries
Building effective project management strategies in secondary industries
Improvising project management practices in tertiary industries
Agile transformations in the retail space
Harnessing project management practices for stock broking and trading
Building engaging and successful team dynamics in the defense industry
Creating meaningful OKRs for projects in the Non-IT industry
How knowledge areas and processes of project management can help non-IT industries
Creating meaningful metrics for measuring project performance
Driving automobile sales and delivery using project management practices
Insights for CRM based project applications
PM best practices applied in non-IT based projects

How to Write a Project Management Research Paper?

It is suggested to get certified in PRINCE2 certification training for aspiring project managers, which will help them work on well-organized and logical project management topics for research papers. Here is a step-by-step guide to writing your research paper on project management:

Select a topic of project management that sparks your interest.
Utilize credible sources such as academic journals, books, Google research, websites, and scholarly articles to conduct extensive research on the selected topic.
Create a plan to organize your primary ideas and thoughts.
Write an appealing introduction that provides perspective and states your research question.
Provide a comprehensive survey of the appropriate research by summarizing existing studies and theories.
Clearly describe your method, including how you plan to collect and examine data.
Use tables, charts, or graphs as necessary to present your findings or results.
Consider any restrictions or limitations of your study and explain how they may have affected your findings.
Your paper should be proofread and edited for clarity, coherence, grammar, and spelling.
Format your paper according to the specific instructions provided by your institution or the journal to which you are submitting.
To avoid plagiarism, cite your sources using the appropriate format (e.g., APA, MLA).
To enhance the quality and rigor of your research paper, solicit feedback from peers or professors.

These topics for research in project management provide an excellent roadmap for project management academicians and practitioners to follow as we move forward. By focusing on these areas, we can obtain valuable insights, foster innovation, and elevate the project management discipline to new heights. The discipline of project management, such as construction project management research topics and ideas, is in a constant state of evolution, and researchers need to explore new avenues and address new challenges. Along with getting trained in these project management research proposal topics, it is suggested to enroll in KnowledgeHut Project Management courses for beginners and get globally recognized accreditations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Project management for research is the process of planning, coordinating, and carrying out research tasks in a way that helps reach certain goals within certain limits.

The questions that a study or research project is trying to answer are the research questions. Most of the time, this question is about a problem or issue that is answered in the study's result through the analysis and interpretation of data.

The latest emerging project topics are Hybrid Project Management, Artificial Intelligence (AI) And Automation, Rise in remote working, Advanced Resource and Project Management Software, and Projects and Organizational strategy.

Kevin D.Davis

Kevin D. Davis is a seasoned and results-driven Program/Project Management Professional with a Master's Certificate in Advanced Project Management. With expertise in leading multi-million dollar projects, strategic planning, and sales operations, Kevin excels in maximizing solutions and building business cases. He possesses a deep understanding of methodologies such as PMBOK, Lean Six Sigma, and TQM to achieve business/technology alignment. With over 100 instructional training sessions and extensive experience as a PMP Exam Prep Instructor at KnowledgeHut, Kevin has a proven track record in project management training and consulting. His expertise has helped in driving successful project outcomes and fostering organizational growth.

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Project Management Research Topics: Breaking New Ground

According to a study by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a significant 11.4% of business investments go to waste due to subpar project performance.

That’s why students need to study project management in college - to move the progress further and empower businesses to perform better. It is crucial for students as it equips them with essential skills, including organization, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership, which are highly transferable and sought after in the professional world. It enhances their career prospects, teaches adaptability, and fosters a global perspective, preparing them for success in a diverse and rapidly evolving job market.

In this article, you will learn the definition of a project management research paper, discover 120 excellent topics and ideas, as well as receive pro tips regarding how to cope with such an assignment up to par.

Definition of What is Project Management

Project management is the practice of planning, executing, controlling, and closing a specific project to achieve well-defined goals and meet specific success criteria. It involves efficiently allocating resources, including time, budget, and personnel, to ensure that a project is completed on time, within scope, and within budget while delivering the intended results or deliverables.

Project management encompasses various methodologies, tools, and techniques to ensure that projects are successfully initiated, planned, executed, monitored, and completed in an organized and systematic manner.

Students can learn project management in colleges and universities, online courses, professional associations, specialized schools, and continuing education programs. Despite the type of institution, most students rely on an essay writing service to ensure their academic progress is positive.

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What Is a Project Management Research Paper?

Project management research papers are academic documents that explore various aspects of project management as a field of study. These papers typically delve into specific topics, issues, or questions related to project management and aim to contribute new knowledge or insights to the discipline. Project management research papers often involve rigorous analysis, empirical research, and critical evaluation of existing theories or practices within the field.

Key elements of a project management research paper include:

Research Question or Problem: Clearly defines the research question, problem, or topic the paper aims to address.
Literature Review: A comprehensive review of existing literature, theories, and relevant studies related to the chosen topic.
Methodology: Describing the research methods, such as surveys, case studies, interviews, or data analysis techniques.
Data Collection and Analysis: If applicable, presenting and analyzing data to support the research findings.
Discussion: An in-depth discussion of the research findings and their implications for the field of project management.
Conclusion: Summarizing the key findings, their significance, and potential future research directions.

Project management research papers can cover various topics, from best practices in project management to emerging trends, challenges, and innovations in the field. They are a valuable resource for both academics and practitioners, offering insights that can inform project management practices and decision-making.

Project Management Research Topics Selection Tips

Selecting an appropriate topic for a project management research paper is crucial for the success of your research. Here are some tips to help you choose the right research topic:

Start by considering your own interests and passion within the field of project management.
Choose a topic that has practical applications and can contribute to the discipline.
Avoid overly broad topics. Instead, narrow down your focus to a specific aspect or issue within project management.
Seek guidance from your professors, academic advisors, or mentors.
Conduct a preliminary literature review to see what research has already been done in your area of interest.
Aim for originality by proposing a research topic or question that hasn't been extensively explored in the existing literature.
Consider the feasibility of your research. Ensure your research is practical and achievable within your constraints.
Clearly define your research questions or objectives.
Think about the practical applications of your research.
Ensure that your research topic and methodology adhere to ethical standards.
Think about the research methods you will use to investigate your topic.
Consider involving stakeholders from the industry, as their insights can provide practical relevance to your research.
Keep in mind that your research may evolve as you delve deeper into the topic.
Be open to adapting your research questions and methodology if necessary.

By following these tips, you can select a project management research topic that is not only relevant and original but also feasible and well-aligned with your academic and career goals. Sounds challenging and time-consuming? Simply type ‘ write an essay for me ,’ and our experts will help you settle the matter.

Best Project Management Research Topics and Ideas

Here is a list of the 50 best topics for a project management paper. These topics cover many project management areas, from traditional project management methodologies to emerging trends and challenges in the field. You can further refine and tailor these topics to match your specific research interests and objectives.

Agile Project Management in Non-IT Industries.
Risk Management Strategies for Large-Scale Projects.
The Role of Leadership in Project Success.
Sustainability Integration in Project Management.
Challenges in Virtual Project Management.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Project Management.
Project Management Best Practices in Healthcare.
Lean Project Management Principles.
Project Portfolio Management in Multinational Corporations.
The Use of Blockchain in Project Management.
Cultural Diversity and Its Effects on Global Project Teams.
Managing Scope Creep in Project Management.
Project Management in Crisis Situations.
Agile vs. Waterfall: A Comparative Analysis.
Project Governance and Compliance.
Critical Success Factors in Public Sector Projects.
Benefits Realization Management in Project Management.
Agile Transformation in Traditional Organizations.
Project Management in the Digital Age.
Sustainable Project Procurement Practices.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Project Leadership.
Project Management in the Healthcare Industry.
Effective Communication in Virtual Project Teams.
Agile Project Management in Software Development.
The Impact of Project Management Offices (PMOs).
Project Management in the Construction Industry.
Project Risk Assessment and Mitigation.
IT Project Management Challenges and Solutions.
Project Management in Startups and Entrepreneurship.
Lean Six Sigma in Project Management.
Project Management Software Tools and Trends.
The Role of Change Management in Project Success.
Conflict Resolution in Project Teams.
Project Management in the Pharmaceutical Industry.
Scrum vs. Kanban: A Comparative Study.
Managing Cross-Cultural Teams in International Projects.
The Future of Project Management: Trends and Forecasts.
Effective Resource Allocation in Project Management.
Project Procurement and Vendor Management.
Quality Assurance in Project Management.
Risk Assessment in IT Project Management.
Benefits and Challenges of Hybrid Project Management Models.
Agile Transformation in Large Organizations.
The Role of Data Analytics in Project Management.
Project Management for Non-Profit Organizations.
Continuous Improvement in Project Management.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Project Management Practices.
The Role of Project Management in Innovation.
Project Management in the Aerospace Industry.
The Influence of Project Management on Organizational Performance.

Simple Project Management Research Ideas

Here are 10 simple project management research ideas that can serve as a foundation for more in-depth research:

The Impact of Effective Communication on Project Success: Investigate how clear and efficient communication within project teams influences project outcomes.

Project Management Software Adoption and Its Effects: Examine the adoption of project management software tools and their impact on project efficiency and collaboration.

Factors Affecting Scope Creep in Project Management: Identify the key factors contributing to scope creep and explore strategies to prevent it.

The Role of Project Management Offices (PMOs) in Organizational Performance: Analyze the performance, improving project success rates and enhancing overall project management maturity.

Agile Project Management in Non-Software Industries: Study how Agile project management principles can be adapted and applied effectively in non-IT industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, or construction.

Project Risk Management Strategies: Investigate the best practices and strategies for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in project management.

Stakeholder Engagement in Project Success: Explore the significance of stakeholder engagement and its impact on project outcomes, including scope, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Project Management in Small Businesses: Analyze the unique challenges and opportunities of project management in small businesses and startups, considering resource constraints and growth objectives.

Sustainability Practices in Project Management: Investigate how project managers can integrate sustainability principles into project planning and execution, with a focus on environmental and social responsibility.

Change Management in Project Transitions: Examine the role of change management in ensuring smooth transitions between project phases or methodologies, such as moving from Waterfall to Agile.

Interesting Project Management Research Paper Topics

These research paper topics offer opportunities to explore diverse aspects of project management, from leadership and ethics to emerging technologies and global project dynamics.

The Impact of Effective Communication on Project Success.
Project Management Software Adoption and Its Effects.
Factors Affecting Scope Creep in Project Management.
The Role of Project Management Offices (PMOs) in Organizational Performance.
Agile Project Management in Non-Software Industries.
Project Risk Management Strategies.
Stakeholder Engagement in Project Success.
Project Management in Small Businesses and Startups.
Sustainability Practices in Project Management.
Change Management in Project Transitions.

Still can’t find an interesting topic? Maybe you’re in writer’s block. But we have a solution to this, too - a research paper writing service from real academic professionals!

Research Project Topics in Business Management

Here are ten research project topics in business management. They encompass various aspects of business management, from leadership and diversity to sustainability and emerging trends in the business world.

The Impact of Leadership Styles on Employee Motivation and Productivity.
Strategies for Enhancing Workplace Diversity and Inclusion.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Effective Leadership.
Sustainable Business Practices and Their Effects on Corporate Social Responsibility.
Innovation and Technology Adoption in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Financial Management Strategies for Small Businesses and Startups.
Effective Marketing Strategies in the Digital Age.
The Challenges and Opportunities of Global Expansion for Multinational Corporations.
Supply Chain Management in a Post-Pandemic World: Resilience and Adaptability.
Consumer Behavior and Market Trends in E-Commerce.

Software Project Management Dissertation Topics

These dissertation topics cover a range of critical issues and strategies in software project management, from risk management to AI integration and agile methodologies.

Effective Software Project Risk Management Strategies.
Agile vs. Waterfall: Comparative Analysis in Software Project Management.
Requirements Management in Software Development Projects.
The Role of DevOps in Accelerating Software Project Delivery.
Software Project Management Challenges in Distributed and Remote Teams.
Quality Assurance and Testing Practices in Software Project Management.
Managing Scope Changes and Requirements Volatility in Software Projects.
Vendor Management in Outsourced Software Development Projects.
Project Portfolio Management in Software Organizations.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Software Project Management.

Remember that easy research paper topics might also be used to write a dissertation. Check them out as well!

Ten Construction Project Management Research Topics

Offering you ten research topics in construction project management, which delve into various aspects of construction project management, from sustainability and safety to technology adoption and stakeholder engagement.

Optimizing Construction Project Scheduling and Time Management.
Risk Assessment and Mitigation in Large-Scale Construction Projects.
Green Building Practices and Sustainable Construction Management.
The Role of Technology in Improving Construction Project Efficiency.
Safety Management and Accident Prevention in Construction.
Contract Management in Public Infrastructure Projects.
Resource Allocation and Cost Control in Construction Project Management.
The Impact of Lean Construction Principles on Project Delivery.
Innovations in Prefabrication and Modular Construction Methods.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication in Complex Construction Projects.

Ten Outstanding Project Administration Ideas for Research Paper

Let’s gain insights into the key aspects and focus areas of each research paper topic in project administration. Researchers can further refine these 10 topics to address specific research questions and objectives.

Innovative Strategies for Effective Project Communication and Collaboration: This topic explores innovative communication and collaboration methods that enhance project team coordination and overall project success. It may include the use of technology, virtual tools, or novel approaches to foster effective communication.

Integrating Sustainability into Project Management Practices: This research examines how project managers can incorporate sustainability principles into project planning, execution, and decision-making, contributing to environmentally and socially responsible project outcomes.

The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Project Leadership and Team Dynamics: This topic delves into the significance of emotional intelligence in project leadership, focusing on how emotional intelligence influences team dynamics, motivation, and project performance.

Agile Project Management in Non-Traditional Industries: Opportunities and Challenges: It explores adopting Agile project management methodologies outside the software development domain, discussing the opportunities and challenges of applying Agile in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, or construction.

Crisis Management and Resilience in Project Administration: This topic investigates crisis management strategies and the development of project resilience to navigate unexpected disruptions, disasters, and unexpected events affecting project progress.

The Impact of Change Management in Successful Project Implementation: It examines the critical role of change management in ensuring smooth transitions between project phases, methodologies, or organizational changes, contributing to project success.

Ethical Decision-Making in Project Management: Balancing Objectives and Integrity: This research delves into the ethical dilemmas and decision-making processes project managers face and explores frameworks for ethical behavior in project management.

Technology Integration and Digital Transformation in Project Administration: It discusses how the integration of technology, such as AI, IoT, and automation, is transforming project administration practices and improving efficiency and project outcomes.

Risk Management and Contingency Planning in Large-Scale Projects: This topic focuses on risk management strategies and the development of effective contingency plans to mitigate risks in complex, large-scale projects.

Project Governance and the Influence of Regulatory Compliance: It explores project governance structures, including the impact of regulatory compliance on project management, risk management, and decision-making processes. In case you need aid with complex senior year papers, consult capstone project writing services .

Ten Healthcare Project Management Research Topics

These research topics address various aspects of healthcare project management, from facility construction and technology implementation to quality improvement and crisis management. Researchers can explore these topics to contribute to the improvement of healthcare project outcomes and patient care.

Optimizing Healthcare Facility Construction and Renovation Projects.
Effective Implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in Hospitals.
Managing Change in Healthcare Organizations: A Project Management Perspective.
Telemedicine Project Management and its Impact on Healthcare Delivery.
Healthcare Project Risk Management: A Case Study Analysis.
Patient-Centered Care Initiatives and Project Management Best Practices.
Quality Improvement Projects in Healthcare: Challenges and Success Factors.
Healthcare Supply Chain Management and Project Efficiency.
The Role of Project Management in Healthcare Crisis Response (e.g., Pandemics).
Measuring the Impact of Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare Process Improvement Projects.

When you find a topic - what’s next? Check out this guide on how to research a topic !

Project management is a dynamic and ever-evolving discipline, offering a rich landscape for research and exploration. Whether you are a student seeking captivating project management research topics or a seasoned professional looking to address real-world challenges, our list of topics provides a valuable starting point.

The key to successful research in project management lies in identifying a topic that aligns with your interests and objectives, allowing you to make meaningful contributions to the field while addressing the pressing issues of today and tomorrow. If you need support executing your research or project, you might consider the convenience of our online services. Simply request " do my project for me " and connect with experts ready to assist you in navigating the complexities of your project management tasks.

So, delve into these research topics, choose the one that resonates with your passion, and embark on a journey of discovery and advancement in the world of project management. If you feel stressed or overwhelmed with the workload at some point, pay for a research paper to gain a competitive edge and save valuable time.

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Social Studies Topics: Philosophy, Economics, Culture & More!

How To Pick A Dissertation Topic?

Table of Contents

Picking what you’ll study for your big research project (dissertation) is a really important choice. Take your time and think about it carefully. Here are some steps to help you pick the right topic:

Reflect on your interests: Consider topics that genuinely interest you and align with your passion and expertise. Your enthusiasm will sustain you through the research process.
Review existing literature: Conduct a thorough review of literature in your field to identify gaps, unanswered questions, or emerging trends that could form the basis of your research.
Consider practical relevance: Choose a topic that has practical relevance and real-world implications for your field, industry, or community. Aim to address pressing issues or challenges faced by practitioners or organizations.
Consult with advisors and peers: Seek feedback from your academic advisors, mentors, or peers to get their perspectives on potential topics. They can give you good advice and assist you in making your ideas better.
Narrow down your focus: Once you have a broad topic in mind, narrow it down to a specific research question or area of investigation. Make sure your topic is manageable within the scope of your dissertation and aligns with the available resources and timeline.
Evaluate feasibility: Figure out if your topic is doable by checking if you can find enough information, if you have the right tools to study it, if it’s morally okay, and if there are any real-life limits that might get in the way. Ensure that you have access to the necessary resources and support to conduct your research effectively.
Stay flexible: Stay ready to change or improve your topic as you learn more during your research and find out new things. Your dissertation topic might change as you go, so it’s important to be open to that and be able to adjust along the way.
Consider your long-term goals: Think about how your dissertation topic aligns with your long-term academic or career goals. Choose a topic that will allow you to develop valuable skills, make meaningful contributions to your field, and position yourself for future opportunities.

150 Project Management Dissertation Topics: Category Wise

Traditional vs. agile methodologies.

A comparative analysis of traditional waterfall and agile project management methodologies.
Evaluating the effectiveness of agile methodologies in software development projects.
Implementing agile practices in non-IT industries: challenges and opportunities.
The role of project management maturity models in transitioning from traditional to agile methodologies.
Agile project management in dynamic and uncertain environments: case studies from various industries.
Integrating hybrid project management approaches: combining elements of traditional and agile methodologies.
Assessing the impact of agile project management on team dynamics and collaboration.
Agile project management in large-scale and complex projects: lessons learned and best practices.
Overcoming resistance to agile adoption: strategies for organizational change management.
The future of project management: trends and innovations in agile methodologies.

Project Management Tools and Software

Evaluating the effectiveness of project management software in improving project outcomes.
Adoption and implementation of project management tools: a case study approach.
Comparing different project management software solutions: features, benefits, and limitations.
Customization vs. out-of-the-box implementation: factors influencing the choice of project management software.
The impact of cloud-based project management tools on remote team collaboration.
Enhancing project management efficiency through the integration of collaboration platforms and project management software.
Project management software usability and user experience: implications for adoption and usage.
Assessing the security and data privacy risks associated with project management software.
Trends in project management software development: artificial intelligence, automation, and predictive analytics.
The role of project management software vendors in driving innovation and industry standards.

Project Risk Management

Identifying and prioritizing project risks: a systematic approach.
Quantitative vs. qualitative risk analysis: comparing methods and outcomes.
Risk management strategies for high-risk industries: construction, aerospace, and defense.
The role of project risk management in achieving project success: evidence from case studies.
Incorporating risk management into project planning and decision-making processes.
Stakeholder engagement in project risk management: challenges and best practices.
Resilience and adaptability: building a risk-aware project culture.
Emerging risks in project management: cybersecurity threats, geopolitical instability, and climate change.
Risk management in agile projects: adapting traditional approaches to dynamic environments.
The future of project risk management: predictive analytics, big data, and machine learning.

Project Scheduling and Planning

Critical path analysis and its applications in project scheduling.
Resource leveling techniques for optimizing project schedules and resource allocation.
The role of project management offices (PMOs) in project scheduling and planning.
Earned value management (EVM) as a performance measurement tool in project scheduling.
Lean project management principles: minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency in project schedules.
Agile project planning techniques: iterative planning, sprint planning, and release planning.
Time management strategies for project managers: prioritization, delegation, and timeboxing.
The impact of schedule compression techniques on project duration and cost.
Project scheduling under uncertainty: probabilistic scheduling models and Monte Carlo simulation.
Real-time scheduling and adaptive planning: harnessing technology for dynamic project environments.

Leadership and Team Management

Transformational leadership in project management: inspiring vision and empowering teams.
The role of emotional intelligence in project leadership and team performance.
Cross-cultural leadership in multinational project teams: challenges and strategies.
Building high-performing project teams: recruitment, training, and team development.
Distributed leadership in virtual project teams: fostering collaboration and trust.
Conflict resolution strategies for project managers: mediation, negotiation, and arbitration.
Motivating project teams: rewards, recognition, and intrinsic motivation.
The impact of leadership styles on project outcomes: autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire.
Gender diversity in project teams: implications for leadership and team dynamics.
Team resilience and psychological safety: creating a supportive and inclusive project environment.

Project Governance and Stakeholder Management

Project governance frameworks: roles, responsibilities, and decision-making structures.
Stakeholder identification and analysis: mapping stakeholder interests, influence, and expectations.
Effective communication strategies for project stakeholders: stakeholder engagement plans and communication channels.
Managing stakeholder conflicts and competing interests in projects.
Make sure companies do good things for the community and talk to the people affected by their projects.
Look at how the big bosses of a project make decisions and handle the people involved.
Accountability and transparency in project governance: reporting mechanisms and performance metrics.
Regulatory compliance in project management: legal requirements and industry standards.
Balancing stakeholder interests in project decision-making: ethical considerations and social responsibility.
Continuous improvement in project governance: lessons learned and best practices.

Project Finance and Cost Management

Project budgeting and cost estimation techniques: top-down vs. bottom-up approaches.
Cost-benefit analysis and return on investment (ROI) in project decision-making.
Earned value management (EVM) as a cost control tool in project management.
Managing project financial risks: budget overruns, resource constraints, and market fluctuations.
Project procurement and contract management: negotiating contracts, vendor selection, and performance monitoring.
Life cycle costing in project evaluation: considering long-term costs and benefits.
Value engineering and value management: optimizing project value while minimizing costs.
Financial modeling and scenario analysis in project finance: assessing project feasibility and viability.
Funding sources for project financing: equity, debt, grants, and public-private partnerships.
Project finance in emerging markets: challenges and opportunities for investment.

Project Quality Management

Total quality management (TQM) principles in project management: continuous improvement and customer focus.
Quality planning and assurance processes: setting quality objectives and quality standards.
Quality control techniques in project management: inspection, testing, and quality audits.
Six Sigma methodology and its applications in project quality management.
Lean principles in project management: eliminating waste and optimizing processes.
Measuring project quality performance: key performance indicators (KPIs) and quality metrics.
Building a culture of quality excellence in project teams: training, empowerment, and recognition.
Supplier quality management in project procurement: ensuring supplier compliance and performance.
Benchmarking and best practices in project quality management.
Continuous improvement in project quality: feedback loops, lessons learned, and process optimization.

Project Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

Stakeholder engagement strategies in project management: stakeholder analysis, mapping, and engagement plans.
Effective communication techniques for project managers: verbal, written, and nonverbal communication.
Managing virtual project teams: communication tools, technologies, and best practices.
Conflict resolution strategies for project stakeholders: negotiation, mediation, and collaboration.
Stakeholder communication in crisis situations: managing stakeholder expectations and maintaining trust.
Building trust and credibility with project stakeholders: transparency, integrity, and responsiveness.
Cultural sensitivity and communication in multicultural project teams.
The role of project managers as communication facilitators and mediators.
Communication challenges in cross-functional project teams: aligning diverse perspectives and priorities.
Measuring stakeholder satisfaction and feedback: surveys, interviews, and feedback mechanisms.

Project Human Resource Management

Human resource planning in project management: resource allocation, skills assessment, and capacity planning.
Talent management strategies for project teams: recruitment, training, and career development.
Team-building techniques for project managers: icebreakers, team-building exercises, and bonding activities.
Performance management in project teams: setting objectives, providing feedback, and evaluating performance.
Conflict resolution strategies for project managers: negotiation, mediation, and conflict coaching.
Diversity and inclusion in project teams: fostering a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Leadership development in project management: training, coaching, and mentorship programs.
Managing virtual project teams: communication, collaboration, and team cohesion.
Building resilience and well-being in project teams: managing stress, burnout, and work-life balance.

Project Procurement and Contract Management

Procurement planning and strategy development: make-or-buy decisions, sourcing options, and procurement methods.
Contract types and structures in project procurement: fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, and time-and-material contracts.
Supplier selection criteria and evaluation methods: vendor qualifications, bid evaluation, and supplier performance metrics.
Negotiation techniques for project managers: win-win negotiation, BATNA analysis, and concessions management.
Managing contracts and contractor relationships: contract administration, performance monitoring, and dispute resolution.
Outsourcing and offshoring in project procurement: risks, benefits, and best practices.
Legal and regulatory considerations in project procurement: compliance with procurement laws, standards, and regulations.
Contractual risk management: mitigating contract risks through indemnification clauses, insurance, and contingency planning.
Ethical considerations in project procurement: fairness, transparency, and integrity in procurement processes.
Continuous improvement in procurement and contract management: lessons learned, process optimization, and supplier feedback.

Project Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Integrating sustainability principles into project management: environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic viability.
Sustainable project planning and design: minimizing environmental impacts, maximizing resource efficiency, and promoting resilience.
Social impact assessment in project management: stakeholder engagement, community consultation, and social license to operate.
Sustainable procurement practices: ethical sourcing, fair trade, and supply chain transparency.
Green project management: reducing carbon emissions, conserving natural resources, and promoting renewable energy.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in project management: philanthropy, community development, and stakeholder engagement.
Sustainable infrastructure development: green buildings, sustainable transportation, and eco-friendly urban planning.
Environmental risk management in projects: assessing and mitigating environmental impacts and regulatory compliance.
Sustainable project financing: green bonds, impact investing, and sustainable finance mechanisms.
Sustainability reporting and disclosure: communicating project sustainability performance to stakeholders.

Project Innovation and Technology Management

Innovation management in project-based organizations: fostering a culture of creativity, experimentation, and learning.
Technology adoption and diffusion in project management: factors influencing technology acceptance and implementation.
Managing innovation projects: from ideation to commercialization, stage-gate processes, and innovation ecosystems.
Open innovation and collaborative project management: partnerships, co-creation, and knowledge sharing.
Digital transformation in project management: leveraging emerging technologies for project delivery and collaboration.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning in project management: predictive analytics, automation, and decision support systems.
Blockchain technology in project management: decentralized project governance, smart contracts, and supply chain transparency.
Virtual reality and augmented reality in project management: immersive training, visualization, and virtual collaboration.
Internet of Things (IoT) applications in project management: real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and asset tracking.
Data-driven project management: leveraging big data, analytics, and business intelligence for project insights and decision-making.

Project Governance and Compliance

Regulatory compliance in project management: legal requirements, industry standards, and certification programs.
Ethics and integrity in project governance: code of conduct, conflict of interest policies, and whistleblowing mechanisms.
Corporate governance and project management: alignment with organizational objectives, risk management, and performance oversight.
Internal controls and assurance mechanisms in project governance: auditing, monitoring, and accountability.
Project portfolio governance: prioritization, resource allocation, and strategic alignment.
Regulatory reporting and disclosure requirements: compliance with regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and investors.
Project audits and reviews: evaluating project performance, compliance, and lessons learned.
Governance of public-private partnerships (PPPs): contractual arrangements, risk allocation, and stakeholder engagement.
Continuous improvement in project governance: feedback loops, lessons learned, and process optimization.

Project Resilience and Change Management

Building project resilience: risk management, contingency planning, and adaptive strategies.
Change management in project management: managing resistance, communication, and stakeholder engagement.
Organizational resilience and project management: lessons from crisis management, business continuity planning, and disaster recovery.
Agile project management and organizational agility: responsiveness to change, iterative planning, and adaptive leadership.
Innovation and creativity in project management: fostering a culture of experimentation, learning, and adaptation.
Anticipatory project management: scenario planning, risk assessment, and proactive decision-making.
Crisis leadership and project management: decision-making under pressure, communication, and stakeholder management .
Change readiness assessment in project management: organizational culture, capacity building, and change champions.
Learning from failure: post-mortem analysis, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
Resilience in project teams: psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and well-being.

In conclusion, selecting the right project management dissertation topics is essential for exploring new frontiers, addressing pressing challenges, and making meaningful contributions to the field. By choosing a topic that aligns with your interests, expertise, and aspirations, you can embark on a rewarding journey of discovery and innovation in project management.

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10 Research Question Examples to Guide Your Research Project

10 Research Question Examples to Guide your Research Project

Published on October 30, 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on October 19, 2023.

The research question is one of the most important parts of your research paper , thesis or dissertation . It’s important to spend some time assessing and refining your question before you get started.

The exact form of your question will depend on a few things, such as the length of your project, the type of research you’re conducting, the topic , and the research problem . However, all research questions should be focused, specific, and relevant to a timely social or scholarly issue.

Once you’ve read our guide on how to write a research question , you can use these examples to craft your own.

Research question	Explanation
	The first question is not enough. The second question is more , using .
	Starting with “why” often means that your question is not enough: there are too many possible answers. By targeting just one aspect of the problem, the second question offers a clear path for research.
	The first question is too broad and subjective: there’s no clear criteria for what counts as “better.” The second question is much more . It uses clearly defined terms and narrows its focus to a specific population.
	It is generally not for academic research to answer broad normative questions. The second question is more specific, aiming to gain an understanding of possible solutions in order to make informed recommendations.
	The first question is too simple: it can be answered with a simple yes or no. The second question is , requiring in-depth investigation and the development of an original argument.
	The first question is too broad and not very . The second question identifies an underexplored aspect of the topic that requires investigation of various to answer.
	The first question is not enough: it tries to address two different (the quality of sexual health services and LGBT support services). Even though the two issues are related, it’s not clear how the research will bring them together. The second integrates the two problems into one focused, specific question.
	The first question is too simple, asking for a straightforward fact that can be easily found online. The second is a more question that requires and detailed discussion to answer.
? dealt with the theme of racism through casting, staging, and allusion to contemporary events?	The first question is not — it would be very difficult to contribute anything new. The second question takes a specific angle to make an original argument, and has more relevance to current social concerns and debates.
	The first question asks for a ready-made solution, and is not . The second question is a clearer comparative question, but note that it may not be practically . For a smaller research project or thesis, it could be narrowed down further to focus on the effectiveness of drunk driving laws in just one or two countries.

Note that the design of your research question can depend on what method you are pursuing. Here are a few options for qualitative, quantitative, and statistical research questions.

Type of research	Example question
Qualitative research question
Quantitative research question
Statistical research question

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Research Aims, Objectives & Questions

The “Golden Thread” Explained Simply (+ Examples)

By: David Phair (PhD) and Alexandra Shaeffer (PhD) | June 2022

The research aims , objectives and research questions (collectively called the “golden thread”) are arguably the most important thing you need to get right when you’re crafting a research proposal , dissertation or thesis . We receive questions almost every day about this “holy trinity” of research and there’s certainly a lot of confusion out there, so we’ve crafted this post to help you navigate your way through the fog.

Overview: The Golden Thread

What is the golden thread
What are research aims ( examples )
What are research objectives ( examples )
What are research questions ( examples )
The importance of alignment in the golden thread

What is the “golden thread”?

The golden thread simply refers to the collective research aims , research objectives , and research questions for any given project (i.e., a dissertation, thesis, or research paper ). These three elements are bundled together because it’s extremely important that they align with each other, and that the entire research project aligns with them.

Importantly, the golden thread needs to weave its way through the entirety of any research project , from start to end. In other words, it needs to be very clearly defined right at the beginning of the project (the topic ideation and proposal stage) and it needs to inform almost every decision throughout the rest of the project. For example, your research design and methodology will be heavily influenced by the golden thread (we’ll explain this in more detail later), as well as your literature review.

The research aims, objectives and research questions (the golden thread) define the focus and scope ( the delimitations ) of your research project. In other words, they help ringfence your dissertation or thesis to a relatively narrow domain, so that you can “go deep” and really dig into a specific problem or opportunity. They also help keep you on track , as they act as a litmus test for relevance. In other words, if you’re ever unsure whether to include something in your document, simply ask yourself the question, “does this contribute toward my research aims, objectives or questions?”. If it doesn’t, chances are you can drop it.

Alright, enough of the fluffy, conceptual stuff. Let’s get down to business and look at what exactly the research aims, objectives and questions are and outline a few examples to bring these concepts to life.

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Research Aims: What are they?

Simply put, the research aim(s) is a statement that reflects the broad overarching goal (s) of the research project. Research aims are fairly high-level (low resolution) as they outline the general direction of the research and what it’s trying to achieve .

Research Aims: Examples

True to the name, research aims usually start with the wording “this research aims to…”, “this research seeks to…”, and so on. For example:

“This research aims to explore employee experiences of digital transformation in retail HR.” “This study sets out to assess the interaction between student support and self-care on well-being in engineering graduate students”

As you can see, these research aims provide a high-level description of what the study is about and what it seeks to achieve. They’re not hyper-specific or action-oriented, but they’re clear about what the study’s focus is and what is being investigated.

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research questions in project management

Research Objectives: What are they?

The research objectives take the research aims and make them more practical and actionable . In other words, the research objectives showcase the steps that the researcher will take to achieve the research aims.

The research objectives need to be far more specific (higher resolution) and actionable than the research aims. In fact, it’s always a good idea to craft your research objectives using the “SMART” criteria. In other words, they should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound”.

Research Objectives: Examples

Let’s look at two examples of research objectives. We’ll stick with the topic and research aims we mentioned previously.

For the digital transformation topic:

To observe the retail HR employees throughout the digital transformation. To assess employee perceptions of digital transformation in retail HR. To identify the barriers and facilitators of digital transformation in retail HR.

And for the student wellness topic:

To determine whether student self-care predicts the well-being score of engineering graduate students. To determine whether student support predicts the well-being score of engineering students. To assess the interaction between student self-care and student support when predicting well-being in engineering graduate students.

As you can see, these research objectives clearly align with the previously mentioned research aims and effectively translate the low-resolution aims into (comparatively) higher-resolution objectives and action points . They give the research project a clear focus and present something that resembles a research-based “to-do” list.

The research objectives detail the specific steps that you, as the researcher, will take to achieve the research aims you laid out.

Research Questions: What are they?

Finally, we arrive at the all-important research questions. The research questions are, as the name suggests, the key questions that your study will seek to answer . Simply put, they are the core purpose of your dissertation, thesis, or research project. You’ll present them at the beginning of your document (either in the introduction chapter or literature review chapter) and you’ll answer them at the end of your document (typically in the discussion and conclusion chapters).

The research questions will be the driving force throughout the research process. For example, in the literature review chapter, you’ll assess the relevance of any given resource based on whether it helps you move towards answering your research questions. Similarly, your methodology and research design will be heavily influenced by the nature of your research questions. For instance, research questions that are exploratory in nature will usually make use of a qualitative approach, whereas questions that relate to measurement or relationship testing will make use of a quantitative approach.

Let’s look at some examples of research questions to make this more tangible.

Research Questions: Examples

Again, we’ll stick with the research aims and research objectives we mentioned previously.

For the digital transformation topic (which would be qualitative in nature):

How do employees perceive digital transformation in retail HR? What are the barriers and facilitators of digital transformation in retail HR?

And for the student wellness topic (which would be quantitative in nature):

Does student self-care predict the well-being scores of engineering graduate students? Does student support predict the well-being scores of engineering students? Do student self-care and student support interact when predicting well-being in engineering graduate students?

You’ll probably notice that there’s quite a formulaic approach to this. In other words, the research questions are basically the research objectives “converted” into question format. While that is true most of the time, it’s not always the case. For example, the first research objective for the digital transformation topic was more or less a step on the path toward the other objectives, and as such, it didn’t warrant its own research question.

So, don’t rush your research questions and sloppily reword your objectives as questions. Carefully think about what exactly you’re trying to achieve (i.e. your research aim) and the objectives you’ve set out, then craft a set of well-aligned research questions . Also, keep in mind that this can be a somewhat iterative process , where you go back and tweak research objectives and aims to ensure tight alignment throughout the golden thread.

The importance of strong alignment

Alignment is the keyword here and we have to stress its importance . Simply put, you need to make sure that there is a very tight alignment between all three pieces of the golden thread. If your research aims and research questions don’t align, for example, your project will be pulling in different directions and will lack focus . This is a common problem students face and can cause many headaches (and tears), so be warned.

Take the time to carefully craft your research aims, objectives and research questions before you run off down the research path. Ideally, get your research supervisor/advisor to review and comment on your golden thread before you invest significant time into your project, and certainly before you start collecting data .

Recap: The golden thread

In this post, we unpacked the golden thread of research, consisting of the research aims , research objectives and research questions . You can jump back to any section using the links below.

As always, feel free to leave a comment below – we always love to hear from you. Also, if you’re interested in 1-on-1 support, take a look at our private coaching service here.

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

40 Comments

Thank you very much for your great effort put. As an Undergraduate taking Demographic Research & Methodology, I’ve been trying so hard to understand clearly what is a Research Question, Research Aim and the Objectives in a research and the relationship between them etc. But as for now I’m thankful that you’ve solved my problem.

Well appreciated. This has helped me greatly in doing my dissertation.

An so delighted with this wonderful information thank you a lot.

so impressive i have benefited a lot looking forward to learn more on research.

I am very happy to have carefully gone through this well researched article.

Infact,I used to be phobia about anything research, because of my poor understanding of the concepts.

Now,I get to know that my research question is the same as my research objective(s) rephrased in question format.

I please I would need a follow up on the subject,as I intends to join the team of researchers. Thanks once again.

Thanks so much. This was really helpful.

I know you pepole have tried to break things into more understandable and easy format. And God bless you. Keep it up

i found this document so useful towards my study in research methods. thanks so much.

This is my 2nd read topic in your course and I should commend the simplified explanations of each part. I’m beginning to understand and absorb the use of each part of a dissertation/thesis. I’ll keep on reading your free course and might be able to avail the training course! Kudos!

Thank you! Better put that my lecture and helped to easily understand the basics which I feel often get brushed over when beginning dissertation work.

This is quite helpful. I like how the Golden thread has been explained and the needed alignment.

This is quite helpful. I really appreciate!

The article made it simple for researcher students to differentiate between three concepts.

Very innovative and educational in approach to conducting research.

I am very impressed with all these terminology, as I am a fresh student for post graduate, I am highly guided and I promised to continue making consultation when the need arise. Thanks a lot.

A very helpful piece. thanks, I really appreciate it .

Very well explained, and it might be helpful to many people like me.

Wish i had found this (and other) resource(s) at the beginning of my PhD journey… not in my writing up year… 😩 Anyways… just a quick question as i’m having some issues ordering my “golden thread”…. does it matter in what order you mention them? i.e., is it always first aims, then objectives, and finally the questions? or can you first mention the research questions and then the aims and objectives?

Thank you for a very simple explanation that builds upon the concepts in a very logical manner. Just prior to this, I read the research hypothesis article, which was equally very good. This met my primary objective.

My secondary objective was to understand the difference between research questions and research hypothesis, and in which context to use which one. However, I am still not clear on this. Can you kindly please guide?

In research, a research question is a clear and specific inquiry that the researcher wants to answer, while a research hypothesis is a tentative statement or prediction about the relationship between variables or the expected outcome of the study. Research questions are broader and guide the overall study, while hypotheses are specific and testable statements used in quantitative research. Research questions identify the problem, while hypotheses provide a focus for testing in the study.

Exactly what I need in this research journey, I look forward to more of your coaching videos.

This helped a lot. Thanks so much for the effort put into explaining it.

What data source in writing dissertation/Thesis requires?

What is data source covers when writing dessertation/thesis

This is quite useful thanks

I’m excited and thankful. I got so much value which will help me progress in my thesis.

where are the locations of the reserch statement, research objective and research question in a reserach paper? Can you write an ouline that defines their places in the researh paper?

Very helpful and important tips on Aims, Objectives and Questions.

Thank you so much for making research aim, research objectives and research question so clear. This will be helpful to me as i continue with my thesis.

Thanks much for this content. I learned a lot. And I am inspired to learn more. I am still struggling with my preparation for dissertation outline/proposal. But I consistently follow contents and tutorials and the new FB of GRAD Coach. Hope to really become confident in writing my dissertation and successfully defend it.

As a researcher and lecturer, I find splitting research goals into research aims, objectives, and questions is unnecessarily bureaucratic and confusing for students. For most biomedical research projects, including ‘real research’, 1-3 research questions will suffice (numbers may differ by discipline).

Awesome! Very important resources and presented in an informative way to easily understand the golden thread. Indeed, thank you so much.

Well explained

The blog article on research aims, objectives, and questions by Grad Coach is a clear and insightful guide that aligns with my experiences in academic research. The article effectively breaks down the often complex concepts of research aims and objectives, providing a straightforward and accessible explanation. Drawing from my own research endeavors, I appreciate the practical tips offered, such as the need for specificity and clarity when formulating research questions. The article serves as a valuable resource for students and researchers, offering a concise roadmap for crafting well-defined research goals and objectives. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced researcher, this article provides practical insights that contribute to the foundational aspects of a successful research endeavor.

A great thanks for you. it is really amazing explanation. I grasp a lot and one step up to research knowledge.

I really found these tips helpful. Thank you very much Grad Coach.

I found this article helpful. Thanks for sharing this.

thank you so much, the explanation and examples are really helpful

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6 Questions to Ask Before Starting a Big Project

Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
Whitney Johnson

Figure out if there is really an opportunity in your idea.

Deciding when to invest your company’s scarce resources in a project is of strategic importance. Yet, there is currently no management framework available to help executives or individuals with the vital decision of when the right time has arrived. The authors explain how applying the S-curve model can help decision makers. The base of the curve represents a period of investigation where relatively few resources have been committed. The purpose of this phase is to ascertain whether there is really an opportunity in an idea — or not. During this phase is when you should seek answers to six important, foundational questions: 1) Has the project been done before? 2) Is the project part of your core business and will it leverage your strengths? 3) Can you clearly define the scope? 4) What is the investment cost? 5) Do you have buy-in from key leaders and the wider organization? 6) What is the timeline?

Knowing when to start a project is a key factor to its success. And yet it’s a strategic talent very few companies have developed. If you begin a project too soon, chances are high that the project will miss its deadline — if it doesn’t fail outright.

Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez is the author of the Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook , five other books, and the HBR article “ The Project Economy Has Arrived. ” His research and global impact on modern management have been recognized by Thinkers50. A pioneer and leading authority in teaching and advising executives the art and science of strategy implementation and modern project management, Antonio is a visiting professor in seven leading business schools and founder of Projects & Co mpany and co-founder Strategy Implementation Institute and PMOtto . You can follow Antonio through his website , his LinkedIn newsletter Lead Projects Successfully , and his online course Project Management Reinvented for Non–Project Managers .
WJ Whitney Johnson is the CEO of Disruption Advisors, a tech-enabled talent-development company and author of Smart Growth: How to Grow Your People to Grow Your Company .

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20 project manager interview questions and answers

15 project management interview questions, answers, & tips article banner image

Landing a project management interview is a big accomplishment. But you’ll only get a chance at the job if you prepare for the interview properly. In this article, we cover some of the most common project manager interview questions and answers so you can ace this interview and get hired.

Take a deep breath—we’re here to help. If you have an interview for a project manager position coming up, this post is for you.

What does a project manager do?

Before we dive into common project manager interview questions, let’s take a look at what a project manager actually does.

The title project manager has changed significantly over the years. Initially, project manager roles were highly specialized technical positions, and project managers themselves were certified in complicated, complex project management tools. Luckily, modern project management tools have made project management accessible to a broader variety of roles—and now, more often than not, a project manager is less focused on the technical element and more focused on aligning stakeholders, driving clarity, and hitting project goals.

The definition of project management varies between companies, departments, and positions. For example, at Asana, we believe that if you’re managing projects, you’re a project manager, regardless of your job title.

To get a sense of what your interviewer expects from you as a project manager, study the job description closely to understand the main responsibility of the position you applied for. Is it people management, cost management, risk management, program management , or something entirely different?

If you know what exactly this project manager job will entail, you can use this information to better prepare for the interview. This will also help you figure out which of the questions and answers below are going to be the most helpful for your interview prep.

1. Tell me about yourself.

While it’s technically not a question, more often than not, this is going to be the first thing an interviewer wants you to talk about. Think of your answer as your elevator pitch—this is your chance to briefly summarize who you are, why you’re here, and what makes you the best candidate.

What the question means: For the interviewer, it’s a great way to ease into a conversation, give the candidate a chance to settle in, and give a first impression. The interviewer wants to find out who you are as a person and why you’ve applied.

How to answer: Briefly explain your last project or current position. Then name a few project planning skills you’ve learned in your previous job and how they’ve prepared you for this position. Stay positive, be truthful, and let your passion shine through.

What not to say: Don’t just restate your resume. The interviewer has that right in front of them. Tell them something they don’t know and can’t find out from your resume alone. Also, keep it professional and read the room—not every interviewer cares about your new puppy (unfortunately).

2. Do you have experience working from home and managing a remote team?

Since working from home has become the norm for many companies, it’s possible that you’ll have to manage a fully remote team either now or in the future. Project manager positions are often team leads or project leads, so your interviewer may want to learn more about your experience in this area.

What the question means: Virtual managers face more challenges than managers who share the same office space as their teammates. The interviewer wants to find out if you have previous experience managing virtual teams .

How to answer: If you have experience managing a remote team, that’s great! Talk about some of the challenges you’ve faced not being in person and how you overcame them. If you don’t have a ton of relevant experience, talk about how you can use project management tools and team bonding exercises to connect, communicate, and collaborate with remote teams.

What not to say: Don’t downplay the challenge of keeping virtual team members motivated and engaged. Your interviewer needs to know that you take team morale seriously and understand what it takes to connect with your team in a remote world.

3. How do you keep your team motivated?

If your project team doesn’t feel motivated, they’ll struggle to complete their high impact work. This can cause project delays and lack of quality in your deliverables. As a project manager, one of your responsibilities is knowing how to keep your team motivated and moving towards the project objective .

What the question means: The interviewer wants to find out what your tactics are for keeping a team engaged and motivated.

How to answer: You can start by describing the work environment you hope to build for your team. Besides a place where teammates feel valued, seen, and understood, it’s also important to set transparent goals and expectations for your team. Explain how setting realistic project milestones doesn’t just keep the project on track but also fosters effective teamwork.

What not to say: Don’t talk about monetary rewards like raises or promotions. Teams that complete their work for extrinsic motivation only aren’t going to feel as fulfilled as teams that feel intrinsic motivation to perform well.

4. What is your leadership style of choice?

There are several different leadership styles out there and while some may be more popular than others, there is no right or wrong leadership style. In fact, your team members may benefit from different leadership styles depending on their unique personalities, the projects they’re currently working on, and the challenges they’re facing.

What the question means: While the terms leadership and management are often used interchangeably, not every manager is a leader and not every leader is a manager. If the interviewer asks this question, they’re probably looking for someone who can be both—so it’s important that you know what your leadership style is.

How to answer: Be sure that you know what different leadership styles entail. Know the risks and benefits of your leadership style so you can confidently answer follow-up questions about your specific leadership skills, like:

As a democratic leader , how do you ensure that your team still trusts you when you make a decision without their input?

How do you approach conflict resolution as an affiliative leader?

As a transformational leader, how do you combat pressure your team may feel because of your constant involvement?

What is your communication style as a transactional leader ?

As a laissez-faire or delegative leader, how do you keep your team on track?

What not to say: Don’t wiggle your way out of the question by simply saying your leadership style depends on the situation. If that’s true and your leadership style is in fact situational , talk more about how you adapt your style and give examples of when you’d apply a supporting, coaching, delegating, or directing style.

5. How do you communicate bad news with your team?

Part of your job description as a project manager will be to deliver news to your team—good and bad. Whether you’re managing people or projects, at some point, you’ll likely have to relay bad news to your team.

The way you handle sticky situations, like communicating that you’re not hitting a project’s goals or are losing funding for an exciting initiative, will be a reflection of how qualified you are to be a manager.

What the question means: The interviewer likely wants to find out if you have both the integrity and communication skills to deliver bad news to your team without causing misunderstandings or issues.

How to answer: Acknowledge that the challenge of communicating bad news is that you have to balance representing and understanding both the emotional response of your team and the decision of higher-level executives. Explain that the best way to effectively communicate bad news is to prepare yourself.

Once you’ve prepared and practiced how you’ll deliver your message, you’ll do your best to use direct language when communicating the news to avoid misunderstandings. It’s also important that you set aside time for questions from your team and establish next steps so they feel prepared for what’s to come.

What not to say: Don’t try to answer this question with a positive spin. Bad news is bad news and there’s no reason to sell it as something it’s not. Instead, be realistic and ensure that you show the interviewer that you understand the potential risks and severity of a scenario like this.

[inline illustration] how to prepare for your job interview (infographic)

6. How do you prioritize tasks?

As a project manager, your workday can change in an instant. New tasks, change requests, or a confused stakeholder who needs clarification right away can throw off your entire schedule. It’s important that you know how to prioritize work if you want to excel in this position.

What the question means: The interviewer is looking for a very direct and detailed answer on how you prioritize tasks.

How to answer: Explain your go-to time management method . Perhaps you use the Eisenhower Matrix to find out which tasks need to be done right away or can be scheduled for later, delegated to someone else, or deleted altogether.

Maybe you prefer to eat the frog and get your biggest and most complex task done first thing in the morning. Whatever your preferred method of task prioritization is, quickly explain what it is and give a specific example of how you’d apply it—or better yet, how you’ve applied it in the past.

What not to say: Don’t just say you go with the flow. A skilled manager will use tools and techniques to prioritize tasks by importance and urgency, so make sure to share your go-to approach with your interviewer.

7. How do you define an ideal project?

The answer to this is not “one that goes according to plan.” This question intends to find out more about what type of projects you prefer to work on.

What the question means: The interviewer wants to know what type of projects you feel most comfortable and confident working on. This is not going to be a guarantee that you’ll get the kind of project you describe but it’s going to give the interviewer a better sense of your skill set.

How to answer: The best way to answer this question is to be honest. Tell the interviewer what kinds of projects excite you the most. Perhaps you prefer projects that are super collaborative and innovative. Maybe you do your best work when a project is streamlined and there aren’t too many moving parts at the same time. Or you may do really well managing multiple small projects that run simultaneously. Whatever it is that you feel the most passionate about—tell the interviewer. And, if you can, give an example of a specific project you’ve done in the past that was really rewarding for you.

What not to say: Don’t lie and say you can handle any type of project. Even if that’s true, really dig into the type that excites you the most so your answer is more genuine.

8. How do you handle changes to a project?

Projects rarely go according to plan, which is why your position is so important. As the project manager, you’ll be in charge of adjusting the schedule, communicating changes, and adopting them accordingly.

What the question means: The interviewer wants to know what kind of problem-solving strategies you’re familiar with. Depending on the level of your position, they may also want to know how familiar you are with change management processes .

How to answer: Showcase your ability to adapt to unexpected or uncomfortable situations when answering this question. Convince the interviewer that you’re quick on your feet and have successfully handled project changes before.

What not to say: Don’t be vague. If you’re struggling to explain how you handle changes to a project, give a real-life example instead. This will also show the interviewer that you’ve successfully managed a situation like this before.

9. What project management methods have you used in the past?

There are many different project management methodologies and chances are you’ve used or experienced more than one before. Whether you’re familiar with Agile work environments, the waterfall model, or running teams on Scrum —this is the time to showcase your knowledge.

What the question means: The interviewer wants to find out whether the project management methods you use fit the organization's style.

How to answer: Talk about the project management methodology you’re most familiar with and give an example of how you’ve used it. For example, you could talk about your experience with Scrum teams or talk about projects that you managed using Kanban boards . Explain why you used the given methodology and how it worked for your team and project.

What not to say: Don’t just toss around buzzwords. Make sure that you know what Agile means if you’re going to talk about applying this methodology. Interviewers notice whether or not you understand a methodology so it’s best to be prepared for follow-up questions.

10. What project management tools do you have experience with?

There is an array of project management software available and chances are, you’ve used your fair share of them. There really is no right or wrong answer to this question but you can get a few extra points if you personalize your answer.

What the question means: The interviewer wants to gain a sense of how many and what types of project management tools you’re familiar with.

How to answer: Truthfully answer what project management tools and software you’ve used in the past. If possible, find out what tools the company you’re interviewing for uses. You may find information on their website, on a review site, or get this kind of insight from an employee via LinkedIn. With this information on hand, you can tailor your answer to the tool the company uses and let the interviewer know that you’ve used it or something similar in the past.

What not to say: Don’t judge any project management tools. You may have a favorite (Asana, right?) or even a tool that gives you a headache just thinking about it, but now is not the time to pass judgment. Simply list the tools you have experience with and explain your skill level, if applicable.

11. Do you have experience with cost or budget management?

While not every project management position requires cost management knowledge, it’s a very common interview question for human resources, accounting, or finance management positions. So let’s take a look at the best way to answer it.

What the question means: The interviewer is curious whether you’ve had to manage costs before and is likely looking for an example.

How to answer: If you don’t have experience managing budgets, be honest about it and let the interviewer know how you’re planning to build this skill. If you have budget or cost management experience, talk about the budget you’ve managed, what you were in charge of, and how you allocated additional resources when necessary.

What not to say: Don’t make up budgets you’ve never managed or talk about how you manage your personal budget if you don’t have professional experience. Being fiscally responsible is not the same as knowing how to manage a project budget. So be honest about your experience and skill level.

12. What motivates you to give your best to a project?

This is an excellent opportunity to talk about a project that went really well and explain why it was one of your best projects to date. Chances are, you were passionate, inspired your team, and led the project to success because you felt so motivated.

What the question means: Motivation looks different to everyone. The interviewer wants to find out what keeps you motivated to get a better understanding of your personality.

How to answer: Think about what motivates you when you’re working. Is it a great team that loves to collaborate? Do you love showing up for work to solve problems? Do you get excited about learning new things and widening your skillset? Whatever satisfies and excites you to do your best in a project, share it with your interviewer and give an example if you can.

What not to say: Don’t say “money.” It’s obvious that money is a factor in why you’re motivated to show up for work every day but the interviewer is asking this question to find out what other factors drive you.

13. Tell me about a challenge you’ve faced and how you handled it.

As a project manager, you’ll encounter plenty of challenging projects. Share a challenge that turned into a successful project or a great learning experience with your interviewer to prove that you can handle roadblocks or setbacks.

What the question means: The interviewer wants to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. They’re looking for a specific example.

How to answer: The best way to answer this question is to apply the STAR method. This method allows you to break down a situation into four categories:

Situation : Start with the situation you were in. For example, explain that your project team suddenly got smaller because two people were out sick for an extended period of time.

Task : Explain how you wanted to resolve the situation. For example, your goal was to ensure that you could still deliver the project on time.

Action : Describe the actions you took to reach your goal. For example, you first tried to get help from another team. When that didn’t work out, you had to outsource some of the simpler tasks to a freelancer to give your team the bandwidth for their work.

Result : Finish with the outcome of the situation. For example, hiring a freelancer allowed your team to focus on the important tasks and complete the project without delays. Plus, you ended up hiring that freelancer for your next project because they did such an amazing job supporting your team.

[inline illustration] STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result (infographic)

What not to say: Don’t talk about a personal challenge. The interviewer wants to know how you handle challenges like lack of resources, negative feedback, or project delays. Whether you have prior experience as a project manager or not, we’ve all faced difficult times at work before, so talk about a situation where you showed how well you can handle a challenge.

14. Why are you looking to leave your current job?

Obviously, there’s a reason you’re doing this job interview. And the interviewer is curious what you’re hoping to find here that you’re lacking at your current job.

What the question means: The interviewer wants to find out one of two things (or both): How do you speak of your former/current employer and what motivated you to apply for this position?

How to answer: Instead of looking back at your old or current employer, talk about what excites you most about this new opportunity. Are you excited about the possibility of relocating? Are you looking forward to gaining new skills or taking on more responsibilities? Perhaps you’re looking to improve your work-life balance and feel like this new company is the perfect place to do so. Let your excitement for the new role shine through—that will set you apart from other candidates.

What not to say: Don’t bash your former employer. No matter how dreadful your current or past job is or was, it’s important to look forward and stay positive in your interview.

15. Name three tactics you’ve used to develop and maintain great customer relationships.

Depending on your field, you may have to deal with customers or clients on a regular basis. If you’re skilled at creating and maintaining solid relationships, you’re going to be a great asset to your company.

What the question means: Happy clients or customers are important—the interviewer wants to know if you have more than one card up your sleeve when it comes to fostering meaningful professional relationships.

How to answer: Think about your past customer relationships and what they valued. Did they appreciate your quick and positive communication? Did you make them feel like they were your only client or customer? Did you consistently exceed their expectations? Were you able to understand their goals and speak their language? All of these are tactics proven to build and maintain strong business relationships.

What not to say: Don’t brag about how great you are with clients or customers. Humility is one of the many tactics that help maintain positive professional relationships so make sure you’re staying humble in your interview to prove you’re capable of this.

16. How do you inspire underperforming team members?

A successful project manager must be able to motivate their team, and this question probes both your communication and management styles.

What the question means: The interviewer is seeking insight into your leadership skills, specifically how you identify, address, and turn around instances of underperformance within your team. They're interested in your ability to inspire and motivate, rather than just manage.

How to answer: Begin by emphasizing the importance of understanding each team member's strengths, weaknesses, and personal motivators. Share a past experience where you identified the root cause of an underperforming team member, such as a lack of clarity, insufficient training, or personal challenges. Explain the steps you took to address the issue, which might include setting clearer goals, providing additional support or resources, or adjusting project roles to better align with team members' strengths.

Highlight the positive outcome of your actions, such as improved performance, increased team morale, or the successful completion of a project. It's crucial to convey empathy, adaptability, and a commitment to developing your team's potential.

What not to say: Avoid suggesting that underperformance is solely the team member's fault or implying that punitive measures are your go-to strategy.

17. How do you handle changes to a project’s scope, especially in the middle of a project?

This question explores a project manager's adaptability, strategic planning skills, and decision-making process—all of which are critical for managing the inevitable changes that occur during the project life cycle.

What the question means: The interviewer is looking to understand your process for managing scope creep and your ability to maintain project objectives, timelines, and budgets in the face of change. They're interested in your stakeholder management skills, decision-making process, and how you communicate changes.

How to answer: Start by acknowledging that changes to a project's scope are common and can sometimes lead to better project outcomes. Describe your initial step of evaluating the impact of the requested change on the project's timeline, budget, and resources. Emphasize the importance of good communication with stakeholders to understand the reasons behind the change and to set realistic expectations.

Share a past experience where you successfully managed a scope change by conducting a thorough impact analysis, obtaining necessary approvals, and adjusting project plans accordingly. Highlight how you kept the team informed and motivated, managed stakeholder expectations, and ensured the project remained on track. Stress the importance of flexibility, but also of having robust change management processes in place to assess and integrate changes efficiently.

What not to say: Avoid suggesting that you resist all changes to project scope or that you accommodate changes without assessing their impact and obtaining the necessary approvals.

18. Can you describe your experience with Agile project management?

This question targets a project manager's familiarity and proficiency with Agile methodologies, which are vital for managing projects in dynamic and fast-paced environments.

What the question means: The interviewer is gauging your understanding of Agile principles, practices, and frameworks (such as Scrum, Kanban, etc.) and how you've applied them in real-world projects. They're interested in your ability to adapt, collaborate, and deliver value quickly and efficiently.

How to answer: Briefly explain your understanding of Agile project management and its importance in fostering collaboration, flexibility, and customer satisfaction. Then, share past experiences in which you successfully managed projects by applying Agile practices. Discuss how you facilitated sprint planning, guided daily stand-ups, and conducted reviews to ensure continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement. Highlight any challenges you faced, such as resistance to change or team alignment issues, and explain how you overcame them.

It's also beneficial to mention any certifications or training you've completed in Agile project management. This demonstrates your commitment to professional development and your proactive approach to managing projects.

What not to say: Avoid giving the impression that you are unfamiliar with Agile methodologies or that you prefer not to use them, especially if the organization you're interviewing with follows Agile practices.

19. Can you briefly tell us about the last project you worked on?

This question offers a window into your recent project management experiences, showcasing your project planning skills, challenges you've overcome, and ability to deliver results.

What the question means: The interviewer is seeking a snapshot of your project management style, including how you handle project schedules, dependencies, and metrics to ensure success. They're interested in your ability to lead, adapt, and apply lessons learned to future projects.

How to answer: Begin with a brief overview of the project, including its objectives, scope, and team dynamics. Highlight your specific responsibilities, such as planning, execution, stakeholder management, and any particular methodologies or tools you used (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Gantt charts, etc.). Discuss a key challenge you faced and how you addressed it, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and resilience.

Conclude with the project's outcome, emphasizing any successes or achievements, and reflect on a valuable lesson learned or how the experience has prepared you for future projects. This approach shows your competence, leadership, and ability to reflect on and grow from your experiences.

What not to say: Avoid giving a vague or overly general response that doesn't provide insight into your capabilities or the specifics of the project. Also, steer clear of placing blame on others for any difficulties encountered during the project.

20. What is your experience with stakeholder management, and how do you balance conflicting priorities and demands?

A successful project manager must be able to communicate with stakeholders while balancing conflicting priorities. This project management interview question gauges your capacity to resolve conflicts and prioritize effectively.

What the question means: The interviewer is seeking insight into your ability to engage with various stakeholders, each with their own interests and expectations, and how you navigate the complexities of competing demands and priorities that are a reality in most projects. They want to know if you can maintain a strategic perspective while ensuring stakeholder satisfaction and project alignment with business goals.

How to answer: Begin by summarizing your approach to stakeholder management, emphasizing good communication, transparency, and relationship building. Provide specific examples of how you've identified and engaged stakeholders in past projects. Then, transition into discussing your methods for prioritizing demands, such as using a decision-making framework, leveraging project management tools, or applying negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

Highlight a past experience where you successfully balanced conflicting priorities, detailing the outcome and what you learned from the experience. It's essential to convey that your approach is systematic, adaptable, and tailored to the unique needs of each project.

What not to say: Avoid suggesting that you prioritize tasks solely based on intuition or without a clear, consistent methodology.

Tips for acing project management interview questions

Knowing what to say is important, but a job interview is about much more than just saying the right things. You’ll want to leave a great impression and make sure that your personality stands out from the rest of the candidate pool (especially in person or via Zoom). Here are our favorite tips to leave hiring managers and recruiters with a great impression.

[inline illustration] how to make a great impression at a job interview (infographic)

Understand PM terminology. You should familiarize yourself with common project management terms . That way, when they come up during the interview, you don’t have to ask what they mean first and potentially risk your chances of getting the job.

Practice clarity and confidence. Besides rehearsing answers to common interview questions, work on delivering your answers with confidence and clarity. This includes practicing your body language to make sure it conveys confidence.

Ask for clarification when needed . If a question is unclear or you're unsure of what's being asked, don't hesitate to ask for clarification. It's better to get more information than to answer incorrectly due to a misunderstanding. This also demonstrates your communication skills and attention to detail.

Prepare with real-world examples . Equip yourself with past experiences that demonstrate your project management skills and accomplishments. Tailor these stories to the job description and the skills it requires, showing how your background makes you the perfect fit for the role.

Go get that project manager job!

Now that you know what to say (and what not to say) during your job interview, we’re sure you’re going to nail it.

And if you land the job, make sure you utilize tools that make your life easier, like Asana’s project management software that’s designed to minimize app switching. That way, you and your new team can keep everything from messages to timelines in one place and focus on what’s really important.

Related resources

Provider onboarding software: Simplify your hiring process

8 steps to write an effective project status report

Inventory management software: How to control your stock

Timesheet templates: How to track team progress

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Building theories of project management: past research, questions for the future

2004, International Journal of Project Management

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As knowledge production becomes more specialized, studying complex and multi-faceted empirical realities becomes more difficult. This has created a growing need for cross-fertilization and collaboration between research disciplines. According to prior studies, the sharing of concepts, ideas and empirical domains with other disciplines may promote cross-fertilization. We challenge this one-sided view. Based on an analysis of the parallel development of the neighboring disciplines of innovation studies and project management, we show that the sharing of concepts and empirical domains can have ambivalent effects. Under conditions of ideological distancing, shared concepts and domains will be narrowly assimilated – an effect we call ‘encapsulation’ – which creates an illusion of sharing, while promoting further self-containment. By comparison, reflexive meta-theories and cross-disciplinary community-building will enable a form of sharing that promotes cross-fertilization. Our findings inform research on research specialization, cross-fertilization and effectiveness of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Mats Engwall

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9. Writing your research question

Chapter outline.

Empirical vs. ethical questions (4 minute read)
Characteristics of a good research question (4 minute read)
Quantitative research questions (7 minute read)
Qualitative research questions (3 minute read)
Evaluating and updating your research questions (4 minute read)

Content warning: examples in this chapter include references to sexual violence, sexism, substance use disorders, homelessness, domestic violence, the child welfare system, cissexism and heterosexism, and truancy and school discipline.

9.1 Empirical vs. ethical questions

Learning objectives.

Learners will be able to…

Define empirical questions and provide an example
Define ethical questions and provide an example

Writing a good research question is an art and a science. It is a science because you have to make sure it is clear, concise, and well-developed. It is an art because often your language needs “wordsmithing” to perfect and clarify the meaning. This is an exciting part of the research process; however, it can also be one of the most stressful.

Creating a good research question begins by identifying a topic you are interested in studying. At this point, you already have a working question. You’ve been applying it to the exercises in each chapter, and after reading more about your topic in the scholarly literature, you’ve probably gone back and revised your working question a few times. We’re going to continue that process in more detail in this chapter. Keep in mind that writing research questions is an iterative process, with revisions happening week after week until you are ready to start your project.

Empirical vs. ethical questions

When it comes to research questions, social science is best equipped to answer empirical questions —those that can be answered by real experience in the real world—as opposed to ethical questions —questions about which people have moral opinions and that may not be answerable in reference to the real world. While social workers have explicit ethical obligations (e.g., service, social justice), research projects ask empirical questions to help actualize and support the work of upholding those ethical principles.

In order to help you better understand the difference between ethical and empirical questions, let’s consider a topic about which people have moral opinions. How about SpongeBob SquarePants? [1] In early 2005, members of the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family (2005) [2] denounced this seemingly innocuous cartoon character as “morally offensive” because they perceived his character to be one that promotes a “pro-gay agenda.” Focus on the Family supported their claim that SpongeBob is immoral by citing his appearance in a children’s video designed to promote tolerance of all family forms (BBC News, 2005). [3] They also cited SpongeBob’s regular hand-holding with his male sidekick Patrick as further evidence of his immorality.

So, can we now conclude that SpongeBob SquarePants is immoral? Not so fast. While your mother or a newspaper or television reporter may provide an answer, a social science researcher cannot. Questions of morality are ethical, not empirical. Of course, this doesn’t mean that social science researchers cannot study opinions about or social meanings surrounding SpongeBob SquarePants (Carter, 2010). [4] We study humans after all, and as you will discover in the following chapters of this textbook, we are trained to utilize a variety of scientific data-collection techniques to understand patterns of human beliefs and behaviors. Using these techniques, we could find out how many people in the United States find SpongeBob morally reprehensible, but we could never learn, empirically, whether SpongeBob is in fact morally reprehensible.

Let’s consider an example from a recent MSW research class I taught. A student group wanted to research the penalties for sexual assault. Their original research question was: “How can prison sentences for sexual assault be so much lower than the penalty for drug possession?” Outside of the research context, that is a darn good question! It speaks to how the War on Drugs and the patriarchy have distorted the criminal justice system towards policing of drug crimes over gender-based violence.

Unfortunately, it is an ethical question, not an empirical one. To answer that question, you would have to draw on philosophy and morality, answering what it is about human nature and society that allows such unjust outcomes. However, you could not answer that question by gathering data about people in the real world. If I asked people that question, they would likely give me their opinions about drugs, gender-based violence, and the criminal justice system. But I wouldn’t get the real answer about why our society tolerates such an imbalance in punishment.

As the students worked on the project through the semester, they continued to focus on the topic of sexual assault in the criminal justice system. Their research question became more empirical because they read more empirical articles about their topic. One option that they considered was to evaluate intervention programs for perpetrators of sexual assault to see if they reduced the likelihood of committing sexual assault again. Another option they considered was seeing if counties or states with higher than average jail sentences for sexual assault perpetrators had lower rates of re-offense for sexual assault. These projects addressed the ethical question of punishing perpetrators of sexual violence but did so in a way that gathered and analyzed empirical real-world data. Our job as social work researchers is to gather social facts about social work issues, not to judge or determine morality.

Key Takeaways

Empirical questions are distinct from ethical questions.
There are usually a number of ethical questions and a number of empirical questions that could be asked about any single topic.
While social workers may research topics about which people have moral opinions, a researcher’s job is to gather and analyze empirical data.
Take a look at your working question. Make sure you have an empirical question, not an ethical one. To perform this check, describe how you could find an answer to your question by conducting a study, like a survey or focus group, with real people.

9.2 Characteristics of a good research question

Identify and explain the key features of a good research question
Explain why it is important for social workers to be focused and clear with the language they use in their research questions

Now that you’ve made sure your working question is empirical, you need to revise that working question into a formal research question. So, what makes a good research question? First, it is generally written in the form of a question. To say that your research question is “the opioid epidemic” or “animal assisted therapy” or “oppression” would not be correct. You need to frame your topic as a question, not a statement. A good research question is also one that is well-focused. A well-focused question helps you tune out irrelevant information and not try to answer everything about the world all at once. You could be the most eloquent writer in your class, or even in the world, but if the research question about which you are writing is unclear, your work will ultimately lack direction.

In addition to being written in the form of a question and being well-focused, a good research question is one that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. For example, if your interest is in gender norms, you could ask, “Does gender affect a person’s performance of household tasks?” but you will have nothing left to say once you discover your yes or no answer. Instead, why not ask, about the relationship between gender and household tasks. Alternatively, maybe we are interested in how or to what extent gender affects a person’s contributions to housework in a marriage? By tweaking your question in this small way, you suddenly have a much more fascinating question and more to say as you attempt to answer it.

A good research question should also have more than one plausible answer. In the example above, the student who studied the relationship between gender and household tasks had a specific interest in the impact of gender, but she also knew that preferences might be impacted by other factors. For example, she knew from her own experience that her more traditional and socially conservative friends were more likely to see household tasks as part of the female domain, and were less likely to expect their male partners to contribute to those tasks. Thinking through the possible relationships between gender, culture, and household tasks led that student to realize that there were many plausible answers to her questions about how gender affects a person’s contribution to household tasks. Because gender doesn’t exist in a vacuum, she wisely felt that she needed to consider other characteristics that work together with gender to shape people’s behaviors, likes, and dislikes. By doing this, the student considered the third feature of a good research question–she thought about relationships between several concepts. While she began with an interest in a single concept—household tasks—by asking herself what other concepts (such as gender or political orientation) might be related to her original interest, she was able to form a question that considered the relationships among those concepts.

This student had one final component to consider. Social work research questions must contain a target population. Her study would be very different if she were to conduct it on older adults or immigrants who just arrived in a new country. The target population is the group of people whose needs your study addresses. Maybe the student noticed issues with household tasks as part of her social work practice with first-generation immigrants, and so she made it her target population. Maybe she wants to address the needs of another community. Whatever the case, the target population should be chosen while keeping in mind social work’s responsibility to work on behalf of marginalized and oppressed groups.

In sum, a good research question generally has the following features:

It is written in the form of a question
It is clearly written
It cannot be answered with “yes” or “no”
It has more than one plausible answer
It considers relationships among multiple variables
It is specific and clear about the concepts it addresses
It includes a target population
A poorly focused research question can lead to the demise of an otherwise well-executed study.
Research questions should be clearly worded, consider relationships between multiple variables, have more than one plausible answer, and address the needs of a target population.

Okay, it’s time to write out your first draft of a research question.

Once you’ve done so, take a look at the checklist in this chapter and see if your research question meets the criteria to be a good one.

Brainstorm whether your research question might be better suited to quantitative or qualitative methods.

Describe why your question fits better with quantitative or qualitative methods.
Provide an alternative research question that fits with the other type of research method.

9.3 Quantitative research questions

Describe how research questions for exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory quantitative questions differ and how to phrase them
Identify the differences between and provide examples of strong and weak explanatory research questions

Quantitative descriptive questions

The type of research you are conducting will impact the research question that you ask. Probably the easiest questions to think of are quantitative descriptive questions. For example, “What is the average student debt load of MSW students?” is a descriptive question—and an important one. We aren’t trying to build a causal relationship here. We’re simply trying to describe how much debt MSW students carry. Quantitative descriptive questions like this one are helpful in social work practice as part of community scans, in which human service agencies survey the various needs of the community they serve. If the scan reveals that the community requires more services related to housing, child care, or day treatment for people with disabilities, a nonprofit office can use the community scan to create new programs that meet a defined community need.

Quantitative descriptive questions will often ask for percentage, count the number of instances of a phenomenon, or determine an average. Descriptive questions may only include one variable, such as ours about student debt load, or they may include multiple variables. Because these are descriptive questions, our purpose is not to investigate causal relationships between variables. To do that, we need to use a quantitative explanatory question.

Quantitative explanatory questions

Most studies you read in the academic literature will be quantitative and explanatory. Why is that? If you recall from Chapter 2 , explanatory research tries to build nomothetic causal relationships. They are generalizable across space and time, so they are applicable to a wide audience. The editorial board of a journal wants to make sure their content will be useful to as many people as possible, so it’s not surprising that quantitative research dominates the academic literature.

Structurally, quantitative explanatory questions must contain an independent variable and dependent variable. Questions should ask about the relationship between these variables. The standard format I was taught in graduate school for an explanatory quantitative research question is: “What is the relationship between [independent variable] and [dependent variable] for [target population]?” You should play with the wording for your research question, revising that standard format to match what you really want to know about your topic.

Let’s take a look at a few more examples of possible research questions and consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of each. Table 9.1 does just that. While reading the table, keep in mind that I have only noted what I view to be the most relevant strengths and weaknesses of each question. Certainly each question may have additional strengths and weaknesses not noted in the table. Each of these questions is drawn from student projects in my research methods classes and reflects the work of many students on their research question over many weeks.

Table 9.1 Sample research questions: Strengths and weaknesses

What are the internal and external effects/problems associated with children witnessing domestic violence?	Written as a question	Not clearly focused	How does witnessing domestic violence impact a child’s romantic relationships in adulthood?
	Considers relationships among multiple concepts	Not specific and clear about the concepts it addresses
	Contains a population
What causes foster children who are transitioning to adulthood to become homeless, jobless, pregnant, unhealthy, etc.?	Considers relationships among multiple concepts	Concepts are not specific and clear	What is the relationship between sexual orientation or gender identity and homelessness for late adolescents in foster care?
	Contains a population
	Not written as a yes/no question
How does income inequality predict ambivalence in the Stereo Content Model using major U.S. cities as target populations?	Written as a question	Unclear wording	How does income inequality affect ambivalence in high-density urban areas?
	Considers relationships among multiple concepts	Population is unclear
Why are mental health rates higher in white foster children than African Americans and other races?	Written as a question	Concepts are not clear	How does race impact rates of mental health diagnosis for children in foster care?
	Not written as a yes/no question	Does not contain a target population

Making it more specific

A good research question should also be specific and clear about the concepts it addresses. A student investigating gender and household tasks knows what they mean by “household tasks.” You likely also have an impression of what “household tasks” means. But are your definition and the student’s definition the same? A participant in their study may think that managing finances and performing home maintenance are household tasks, but the researcher may be interested in other tasks like childcare or cleaning. The only way to ensure your study stays focused and clear is to be specific about what you mean by a concept. The student in our example could pick a specific household task that was interesting to them or that the literature indicated was important—for example, childcare. Or, the student could have a broader view of household tasks, one that encompasses childcare, food preparation, financial management, home repair, and care for relatives. Any option is probably okay, as long as the researcher is clear on what they mean by “household tasks.” Clarifying these distinctions is important as we look ahead to specifying how your variables will be measured in Chapter 11 .

Table 9.2 contains some “watch words” that indicate you may need to be more specific about the concepts in your research question.

Table 9.2 “Watch words” in explanatory research questions

Factors, Causes, Effects, Outcomes	What causes or effects are you interested in? What causes and effects are important, based on the literature in your topic area? Try to choose one or a handful you consider to be the most important.
Effective, Effectiveness, Useful, Efficient	Effective at doing what? Effectiveness is meaningless on its own. What outcome should the program or intervention have? Reduced symptoms of a mental health issue? Better socialization?
Etc., and so forth	Don’t assume that your reader understands what you mean by “and so forth.” Remember that focusing on two or a small handful concepts is necessary. Your study cannot address everything about a social problem, though the results will likely have implications on other aspects of the social world.

It can be challenging to be this specific in social work research, particularly when you are just starting out your project and still reading the literature. If you’ve only read one or two articles on your topic, it can be hard to know what you are interested in studying. Broad questions like “What are the causes of chronic homelessness, and what can be done to prevent it?” are common at the beginning stages of a research project as working questions. However, moving from working questions to research questions in your research proposal requires that you examine the literature on the topic and refine your question over time to be more specific and clear. Perhaps you want to study the effect of a specific anti-homelessness program that you found in the literature. Maybe there is a particular model to fighting homelessness, like Housing First or transitional housing, that you want to investigate further. You may want to focus on a potential cause of homelessness such as LGBTQ+ discrimination that you find interesting or relevant to your practice. As you can see, the possibilities for making your question more specific are almost infinite.

Quantitative exploratory questions

In exploratory research, the researcher doesn’t quite know the lay of the land yet. If someone is proposing to conduct an exploratory quantitative project, the watch words highlighted in Table 9.2 are not problematic at all. In fact, questions such as “What factors influence the removal of children in child welfare cases?” are good because they will explore a variety of factors or causes. In this question, the independent variable is less clearly written, but the dependent variable, family preservation outcomes, is quite clearly written. The inverse can also be true. If we were to ask, “What outcomes are associated with family preservation services in child welfare?”, we would have a clear independent variable, family preservation services, but an unclear dependent variable, outcomes. Because we are only conducting exploratory research on a topic, we may not have an idea of what concepts may comprise our “outcomes” or “factors.” Only after interacting with our participants will we be able to understand which concepts are important.

Remember that exploratory research is appropriate only when the researcher does not know much about topic because there is very little scholarly research. In our examples above, there is extensive literature on the outcomes in family reunification programs and risk factors for child removal in child welfare. Make sure you’ve done a thorough literature review to ensure there is little relevant research to guide you towards a more explanatory question.

Descriptive quantitative research questions are helpful for community scans but cannot investigate causal relationships between variables.
Explanatory quantitative research questions must include an independent and dependent variable.
Exploratory quantitative research questions should only be considered when there is very little previous research on your topic.
Identify the type of research you are engaged in (descriptive, explanatory, or exploratory).
Create a quantitative research question for your project that matches with the type of research you are engaged in.

Preferably, you should be creating an explanatory research question for quantitative research.

9.4 Qualitative research questions

List the key terms associated with qualitative research questions
Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative research questions

Qualitative research questions differ from quantitative research questions. Because qualitative research questions seek to explore or describe phenomena, not provide a neat nomothetic explanation, they are often more general and openly worded. They may include only one concept, though many include more than one. Instead of asking how one variable causes changes in another, we are instead trying to understand the experiences , understandings , and meanings that people have about the concepts in our research question. These keywords often make an appearance in qualitative research questions.

Let’s work through an example from our last section. In Table 9.1, a student asked, “What is the relationship between sexual orientation or gender identity and homelessness for late adolescents in foster care?” In this question, it is pretty clear that the student believes that adolescents in foster care who identify as LGBTQ+ may be at greater risk for homelessness. This is a nomothetic causal relationship—LGBTQ+ status causes changes in homelessness.

However, what if the student were less interested in predicting homelessness based on LGBTQ+ status and more interested in understanding the stories of foster care youth who identify as LGBTQ+ and may be at risk for homelessness? In that case, the researcher would be building an idiographic causal explanation . The youths whom the researcher interviews may share stories of how their foster families, caseworkers, and others treated them. They may share stories about how they thought of their own sexuality or gender identity and how it changed over time. They may have different ideas about what it means to transition out of foster care.

Because qualitative questions usually center on idiographic causal relationships, they look different than quantitative questions. Table 9.3 below takes the final research questions from Table 9.1 and adapts them for qualitative research. The guidelines for research questions previously described in this chapter still apply, but there are some new elements to qualitative research questions that are not present in quantitative questions.

Qualitative research questions often ask about lived experience, personal experience, understanding, meaning, and stories.
Qualitative research questions may be more general and less specific.
Qualitative research questions may also contain only one variable, rather than asking about relationships between multiple variables.

Table 9.3 Quantitative vs. qualitative research questions

How does witnessing domestic violence impact a child’s romantic relationships in adulthood?	How do people who witness domestic violence understand its effects on their current relationships?
What is the relationship between sexual orientation or gender identity and homelessness for late adolescents in foster care?	What is the experience of identifying as LGBTQ+ in the foster care system?
How does income inequality affect ambivalence in high-density urban areas?	What does racial ambivalence mean to residents of an urban neighborhood with high income inequality?
How does race impact rates of mental health diagnosis for children in foster care?	How do African-Americans experience seeking help for mental health concerns?

Qualitative research questions have one final feature that distinguishes them from quantitative research questions: they can change over the course of a study. Qualitative research is a reflexive process, one in which the researcher adapts their approach based on what participants say and do. The researcher must constantly evaluate whether their question is important and relevant to the participants. As the researcher gains information from participants, it is normal for the focus of the inquiry to shift.

For example, a qualitative researcher may want to study how a new truancy rule impacts youth at risk of expulsion. However, after interviewing some of the youth in their community, a researcher might find that the rule is actually irrelevant to their behavior and thoughts. Instead, their participants will direct the discussion to their frustration with the school administrators or the lack of job opportunities in the area. This is a natural part of qualitative research, and it is normal for research questions and hypothesis to evolve based on information gleaned from participants.

However, this reflexivity and openness unacceptable in quantitative research for good reasons. Researchers using quantitative methods are testing a hypothesis, and if they could revise that hypothesis to match what they found, they could never be wrong! Indeed, an important component of open science and reproducability is the preregistration of a researcher’s hypotheses and data analysis plan in a central repository that can be verified and replicated by reviewers and other researchers. This interactive graphic from 538 shows how an unscrupulous research could come up with a hypothesis and theoretical explanation after collecting data by hunting for a combination of factors that results in a statistically significant relationship. This is an excellent example of how the positivist assumptions behind quantitative research and intepretivist assumptions behind qualitative research result in different approaches to social science.

Qualitative research questions often contain words or phrases like “lived experience,” “personal experience,” “understanding,” “meaning,” and “stories.”
Qualitative research questions can change and evolve over the course of the study.
Using the guidance in this chapter, write a qualitative research question. You may want to use some of the keywords mentioned above.

9.5 Evaluating and updating your research questions

Evaluate the feasibility and importance of your research questions
Begin to match your research questions to specific designs that determine what the participants in your study will do

Feasibility and importance

As you are getting ready to finalize your research question and move into designing your research study, it is important to check whether your research question is feasible for you to answer and what importance your results will have in the community, among your participants, and in the scientific literature

Key questions to consider when evaluating your question’s feasibility include:

Do you have access to the data you need?
Will you be able to get consent from stakeholders, gatekeepers, and others?
Does your project pose risk to individuals through direct harm, dual relationships, or breaches in confidentiality? (see Chapter 6 for more ethical considerations)
Are you competent enough to complete the study?
Do you have the resources and time needed to carry out the project?

Key questions to consider when evaluating the importance of your question include:

Can we answer your research question simply by looking at the literature on your topic?
How does your question add something new to the scholarly literature? (raises a new issue, addresses a controversy, studies a new population, etc.)
How will your target population benefit, once you answer your research question?
How will the community, social work practice, and the broader social world benefit, once you answer your research question?
Using the questions above, check whether you think your project is feasible for you to complete, given the constrains that student projects face.
Realistically, explore the potential impact of your project on the community and in the scientific literature. Make sure your question cannot be answered by simply reading more about your topic.

Matching your research question and study design

This chapter described how to create a good quantitative and qualitative research question. In Parts 3 and 4 of this textbook, we will detail some of the basic designs like surveys and interviews that social scientists use to answer their research questions. But which design should you choose?

As with most things, it all depends on your research question. If your research question involves, for example, testing a new intervention, you will likely want to use an experimental design. On the other hand, if you want to know the lived experience of people in a public housing building, you probably want to use an interview or focus group design.

We will learn more about each one of these designs in the remainder of this textbook. We will also learn about using data that already exists, studying an individual client inside clinical practice, and evaluating programs, which are other examples of designs. Below is a list of designs we will cover in this textbook:

Surveys: online, phone, mail, in-person
Experiments: classic, pre-experiments, quasi-experiments
Interviews: in-person or via phone or videoconference
Focus groups: in-person or via videoconference
Content analysis of existing data
Secondary data analysis of another researcher’s data
Program evaluation

The design of your research study determines what you and your participants will do. In an experiment, for example, the researcher will introduce a stimulus or treatment to participants and measure their responses. In contrast, a content analysis may not have participants at all, and the researcher may simply read the marketing materials for a corporation or look at a politician’s speeches to conduct the data analysis for the study.

I imagine that a content analysis probably seems easier to accomplish than an experiment. However, as a researcher, you have to choose a research design that makes sense for your question and that is feasible to complete with the resources you have. All research projects require some resources to accomplish. Make sure your design is one you can carry out with the resources (time, money, staff, etc.) that you have.

There are so many different designs that exist in the social science literature that it would be impossible to include them all in this textbook. The purpose of the subsequent chapters is to help you understand the basic designs upon which these more advanced designs are built. As you learn more about research design, you will likely find yourself revising your research question to make sure it fits with the design. At the same time, your research question as it exists now should influence the design you end up choosing. There is no set order in which these should happen. Instead, your research project should be guided by whether you can feasibly carry it out and contribute new and important knowledge to the world.

Research questions must be feasible and important.
Research questions must match study design.
Based on what you know about designs like surveys, experiments, and interviews, describe how you might use one of them to answer your research question.
You may want to refer back to Chapter 2 which discusses how to get raw data about your topic and the common designs used in student research projects.

Media Attributions

Not familiar with SpongeBob SquarePants? You can learn more about him on Nickelodeon’s site dedicated to all things SpongeBob: http://www.nick.com/spongebob-squarepants/ ↵
Focus on the Family. (2005, January 26). Focus on SpongeBob. Christianity Today . Retrieved from http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/januaryweb-only/34.0c.html ↵
BBC News. (2005, January 20). US right attacks SpongeBob video. Retrieved from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm ↵
In fact, an MA thesis examines representations of gender and relationships in the cartoon: Carter, A. C. (2010). Constructing gender and relationships in “SpongeBob SquarePants”: Who lives in a pineapple under the sea . MA thesis, Department of Communication, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL. ↵

research questions that can be answered by systematically observing the real world

unsuitable research questions which are not answerable by systematic observation of the real world but instead rely on moral or philosophical opinions

the group of people whose needs your study addresses

attempts to explain or describe your phenomenon exhaustively, based on the subjective understandings of your participants

"Assuming that the null hypothesis is true and the study is repeated an infinite number times by drawing random samples from the same populations(s), less than 5% of these results will be more extreme than the current result" (Cassidy et al., 2019, p. 233).

whether you can practically and ethically complete the research project you propose

the impact your study will have on participants, communities, scientific knowledge, and social justice

Graduate research methods in social work Copyright © 2021 by Matthew DeCarlo, Cory Cummings, Kate Agnelli is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Building, Architecture, Outdoors, City, Aerial View, Urban, Office Building, Cityscape

ROTA-R Project Manager

Madison, Wisconsin
EXTENSION/HEALTH & WELL BEING INSTITUTE DIRECTOR
Administration
Partially Remote
Staff-Full Time
Staff-Part Time
Opening at: Aug 13 2024 at 16:15 CDT
Closing at: Aug 28 2024 at 23:55 CDT

Job Summary:

About Extension: UW-Madison's Division of Extension serves the people and communities of Wisconsin by addressing local, statewide and national issues, improving lives through research-based education, fostering partnerships and action, and facilitating positive impacts. About the Health & Well-Being Institute: The Health & Well-Being Institute works to catalyze positive change in Wisconsin residents through evidence-based and community-engaged health promotion programs to improve health, build community capacity to identify and address health inequities, engage in collective action, and achieve greater health equity. About this Position: The Project Manager (PM) is responsible for performing day-to-day management of a multi-state cooperative extension technical assistance project to support prevention, treatment and recovery for those with opioid addiction as well as co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in rural areas. The PM will be responsible for contributing to the planning and designing of implementation projects, managing the budget, education, communication, and events. They will be critical in project management, financial planning, problem-resolution, and reporting while collaborating with other leaders and extension colleagues throughout Wisconsin and other states. The Division of Extension has a deep and profound commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements to eliminate disparities and expanding access for all. As Extension, we acknowledge the need for strategic and coordinated actions that help us form a more equitable, anti-racist, non- biased, and inclusive organization. ( https://blogs.extension.wisc.edu/oaic/call-to-action/ ). As such, all Extension employees are expected to foster and promote the values of diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities:

25% Creates a project plan, monitors progress and performance against the project plan, and identifies, resolves, or escalates risks and issues
30% Manages the activities of outside contractors to ensure they are integrated into the project and that the organization receives satisfactory standards of service
10% Facilitates the estimation of project costs, resources, and time required to complete the assigned phase of a project and monitors activities, negotiates for resources, and assigns tasks to ensure these targets are met. Follows established change control processes if targets can no longer be met
15% Prepares regular reports to communicate the status of the project within and beyond the project team
5% Sets priorities, allocates tasks, and collaborates with project staff to meet project targets and milestones
5% Assists with the development and auditing of project-specific budgets
10% Serves as a subject matter expert and unit liaison. Provides updates on project components and timelines to stakeholders as needed

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Preferred Bachelor's Degree In a social sciences field

Qualifications:

Required: -Two (2) or more years of experience in project management or managing programs or initiatives as part of other job duties -Detail-oriented with highly effective time management skills -Proactive problem-solver with the ability to work independently toward project deadlines -Strong written and oral (including formal presentation) communication skills -Experience with education and presentations using Zoom or another virtual platform Preferred: -Familiarity with Cooperative Extension -Experience with Canva -Experience with newsletter distribution programs such as Eloqua -Experience with maintaining websites using WordPress

Full or Part Time: 50% - 100% This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Terminal, 12 month appointment. This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding

Minimum $65,450 ANNUAL (12 months) Depending on Qualifications Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at ( https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/ ). Please note that salary and some benefits such as paid time off will be prorated by appointment percentage.

Additional Information:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

How to Apply:

We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process, click the "apply now" button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents: -Resume -Letter of Qualifications (cover letter) Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews. For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your application materials to the job posting, please click https://extension.wisc.edu/careers/ .

Jen Park-Mroch [email protected] 608-262-8083 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Project Manager I(AD015)

Department(s):

A47-EXTENSION/YFH/HLTH/BEHAVIORALHEALTH

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Terminal

Job Number:

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COMMENTS

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For more information on Research Project Management at MUN, and to access project management resources, such as tools/templates/guidance material, that will aid in the implementation of project management process es discussed in this guide, please visit Memorial's Research Project Management website at . https://research-tools.mun.ca/rpm/
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Session 1: Objectives. To understand the various components of research project management. (Part A) To make a practical assessment of your own approach to research project management. (Part B) To explore options for 'plugging any gaps' in your current approach.
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Building theories of project management: Past research, questions for the future. International Journal of Project Management, 22(3), 183-191. Söderlund, J. (2004b). On the broadening scope of the research on projects: A review and a model for analysis.
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The purpose of this paper is to analyze the arguments that underlie the research questions and reflect upon their role in theory construction. Through the review of 61 papers published between 2007 and 2011 in the four major project management outlets, the paper makes four contributions. First, in contrast to the contemporary debate, the paper ...
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The research aims, objectives and research questions (the golden thread) define the focus and scope (the delimitations) of your research project. In other words, they help ringfence your dissertation or thesis to a relatively narrow domain, so that you can "go deep" and really dig into a specific problem or opportunity.
6 Questions to Ask Before Starting a Big Project
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Research questions in Project Management. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Seventh Edition.
(PDF) Building theories of project management: past research, questions
Finally, the article pointed out five key questions for project management research. We stressed the need to develop various theories of projects in a similar tradition as has been done within the broader field of man- [1] Whittington R, Pettigrew A, Peck S, Fenton E, Conyon M. Change and complementarities in the new competitive landscape: A ...
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2 Activity Week 3 Section I: Project Management Deliverables Questions: 1. Research Project Management Deliverables and provide two deliverables that should be used regardless of methodology. Your answer should include a detailed description of the deliverable, an explanation as to what information it provides, and why it is needed. Answer: In project management, deliverables are tangible or ...
ROTA-R Project Manager
Job Summary: About Extension:UW-Madison's Division of Extension serves the people and communities of Wisconsin by addressing local, statewide and national issues, improving lives through research-based education, fostering partnerships and action, and facilitating positive impacts.About the Health & Well-Being Institute:The Health & Well-Being Institute works to catalyze positive change in ...
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