A Step-By-Step Guide to Conducting Project-Based Research in Education at the Doctoral Level
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 470
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 470
Choose Your Format
Print Package
$99.00 USD
Ebook
$85.00 USD
This resource is a comprehensive guide to project-based research, covering both applied research and action research methodologies. It introduces qualitative and quantitative research approaches, explains how to select appropriate research designs, and offers step-by-step instructions for developing, conducting, and writing research projects. The text guides readers through each section of a research study—from front matter and introductions to literature reviews, methods, findings, and conclusions—while addressing ethical considerations, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Designed as a practical resource, the book includes templates and examples to help students and professionals successfully complete project-based research studies.
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction to Project-Based Research
Introduction to Project-Based Research
Project-Based Research Defined
Project-Based Research Designs
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Qualitative Research Approaches
Introduction
Interviews and Focus Groups
Questionnaires
Observations
Document Analysis
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Quantitative Research Approaches
Introduction
Quantitative Surveys
Quantitative Observations
Quantitative Document Analysis
Conclusion
Chapter 4: How to Choose Applied or Action Research
Project-Based Research Designs
Reasons to Conduct Project-Based Research
Steps to Conduct Project-Based Research
Project-Based Research Outlines
How to Choose an Applied or Action Research Design
Four Core Elements
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Applied Research: How to Write the Front Matter
Introduction
How to Write the Front Matter
How to Write a Title for Applied Research
How to Write the Title Page
How to Write the Approval Page
How to Write the Table of Contents
How to Write the Abstract
How to Write the List of Tables
How to Write the List of Figures
How to Write the List of Abbreviations
Conclusion
Chapter 6: Applied Research: How to Write Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Site Context
How to Write the Introduction to the Problem
How to Write the Purpose Statement
How to Write the Significance of the Research
How to Write the Definitions
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 7: Applied Research: How to Write Chapter 2: Literature Review
Introduction
How to Analyze and Synthesize Scholarly Literature
Contents of a Literature Review
How to Locate Scholarly Sources
Steps to Compose a Literature Review
How to Write a Literature Review Outline
How to Write a Literature Review
How to Narrow a Gap in Existing Literature
How to Become More Informed Regarding Your Research Topic
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Theoretical Framework
How to Write the Related Literature
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 8: Applied Research: How to Write Chapter 3: Methods
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Research Question
How to Write the Role of the Researcher
Ethical Considerations
How to Write the Ethical Considerations
How to Write the Permission to Conduct the Research
How to Write the Setting and Participants
How to Write the Research Methods
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 9: Applied Research: How to Write Chapter 4: Findings
Introduction
How to Analyze Data
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Findings
How to Write the Discussion of the Findings
How to Write the Analysis of the Research Design
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 10: Applied Research: How to Write Chapter 5: Conclusion
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Research Question Responses
How to Write the Recommendations
How to Write the Roles and Responsibilities
How to Write the Resources Needed
How to Write the Timeline
How to Write the Implications
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 11: Action Research: How to Write the Front Matter
Introduction
How to Write the Front Matter
How to Write a Title for Action Research
How to Write the Title Page
How to Write the Approval Page
How to Write the Table of Contents
How to Write the Abstract
How to Write the List of Tables
How to Write the List of Figures
How to Write the List of Abbreviations
Conclusion
Chapter 12: Action Research: How to Write Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Site Context
How to Write the Introduction to the Problem
How to Write the Purpose Statement
How to Write the Significance of the Research
How to Write the Definitions
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 13: Action Research: How to Write Chapter 2: Literature Review
Introduction
How to Analyze and Synthesize Scholarly Literature
Contents of a Literature Review
How to Locate Scholarly Sources
Steps to Compose a Literature Review
How to Write a Literature Review Outline
How to Write a Literature Review
How to Narrow a Gap in Existing Literature
How to Become More Informed Regarding Your Research Topic
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Theoretical Framework
How to Write the Related Literature
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 14: Action Research: How to Write Chapter 3: Methods
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Research Question
How to Write the Role of the Researcher
Ethical Considerations
How to Write the Ethical Considerations
How to Write the Permission to Conduct the Research
How to Write the Setting and Participants
How to Write the Proposed Solution
How to Write the Research Methods
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 15: Action Research: How to Write Chapter 4: Findings
Introduction
How to Analyze Data
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Implementation Procedures
How to Write the Findings
How to Write the Discussion of the Findings
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 16: Action Research: How to Write Chapter 5: Conclusion
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Analysis of the Research Design
How to Write the Research Question Responses
How to Write the Future Recommendations
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Appendices
Appendix A: Applied Research Template
Appendix B: Action Research Template
Appendix C: Individual Scholarly Works Template
Appendix D: Comparative Scholarly Works Template
Glossary
References
Index
Dr. Bunnie L. Claxton is the founder and chief executive officer of Dissertation Research Specialist, a company that supports the implementation of doctoral programs in universities around the world. She currently serves as a consultant to universities regarding dissertation research to assist with program development, course development, and faculty training. She also provides support to doctoral candidates through her website www.dissertationspecialist.com. She is an adjunct instructor, subject matter expert, and dissertation chair for multiple universities. She is an international speaker, and she presented her research at Oxford University and Cambridge University in 2025. She was the keynote speaker for the World Conference on Teaching and Education in Berlin, Germany. Formerly, she served as the director of applied doctoral research at Liberty University. Dr. Claxton has been involved in the field of education since 1994, including public school, private school, home school, and higher education. Dr. Claxton served as the superintendent for Liberty University Online Academy, an online K–12 school with over 16,000 students, and she currently serves on the board of directors. She is the author of 20 textbooks and is best known for her Step-by-Step textbook series. A few titles include A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Applied Research, A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Qualitative Research, A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Quantitative Research, A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Literature Review for Doctoral Research, and A Step-by-Step Introduction to Research Methods: Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed-Methods, and Applied.
Dr. Greg M. Benson is an accomplished educator, researcher, and academic leader with over two decades of experience in teaching, leadership, and curriculum develop ment. He currently serves as Dean of the School of Education at Southern Wesleyan University, where he provides visionary leadership in program innovation, faculty development, and accreditation alignment. Additionally, Dr. Benson serves as an adjunct professor and dissertation methodologist for several universities, where he has mentored and chaired more than 400 doctoral dissertations, guiding emerging scholars in the areas of leadership, education, and applied research. A prolific author and speaker, Dr. Benson’s scholarship bridges the fields of leadership, education, and organizational effectiveness. His recent publications include multiple book chapters with IGI Global and contributions to The Power of Creative Thinking: Identifying and Solving Problems in Business, Education, and Society (KIE Conference, 2025). His research has been featured in the Journal of Physical Therapy Education, and he is the Editor-in-Chief of Employee Retention and Loyalty in the Modern Workplace (IGI Publishing, 2025). Dr. Benson’s professional mission centers on mentoring doctoral students, advancing evidence-based leadership practices, and helping educators design and conduct high-quality, project-based research that leads to meaningful change. Through his work, he continues to inspire scholars and practitioners to approach educational research as both an academic pursuit and a vehicle for transformative impact.
This resource is a comprehensive guide to project-based research, covering both applied research and action research methodologies. It introduces qualitative and quantitative research approaches, explains how to select appropriate research designs, and offers step-by-step instructions for developing, conducting, and writing research projects. The text guides readers through each section of a research study—from front matter and introductions to literature reviews, methods, findings, and conclusions—while addressing ethical considerations, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Designed as a practical resource, the book includes templates and examples to help students and professionals successfully complete project-based research studies.
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction to Project-Based Research
Introduction to Project-Based Research
Project-Based Research Defined
Project-Based Research Designs
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Qualitative Research Approaches
Introduction
Interviews and Focus Groups
Questionnaires
Observations
Document Analysis
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Quantitative Research Approaches
Introduction
Quantitative Surveys
Quantitative Observations
Quantitative Document Analysis
Conclusion
Chapter 4: How to Choose Applied or Action Research
Project-Based Research Designs
Reasons to Conduct Project-Based Research
Steps to Conduct Project-Based Research
Project-Based Research Outlines
How to Choose an Applied or Action Research Design
Four Core Elements
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Applied Research: How to Write the Front Matter
Introduction
How to Write the Front Matter
How to Write a Title for Applied Research
How to Write the Title Page
How to Write the Approval Page
How to Write the Table of Contents
How to Write the Abstract
How to Write the List of Tables
How to Write the List of Figures
How to Write the List of Abbreviations
Conclusion
Chapter 6: Applied Research: How to Write Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Site Context
How to Write the Introduction to the Problem
How to Write the Purpose Statement
How to Write the Significance of the Research
How to Write the Definitions
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 7: Applied Research: How to Write Chapter 2: Literature Review
Introduction
How to Analyze and Synthesize Scholarly Literature
Contents of a Literature Review
How to Locate Scholarly Sources
Steps to Compose a Literature Review
How to Write a Literature Review Outline
How to Write a Literature Review
How to Narrow a Gap in Existing Literature
How to Become More Informed Regarding Your Research Topic
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Theoretical Framework
How to Write the Related Literature
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 8: Applied Research: How to Write Chapter 3: Methods
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Research Question
How to Write the Role of the Researcher
Ethical Considerations
How to Write the Ethical Considerations
How to Write the Permission to Conduct the Research
How to Write the Setting and Participants
How to Write the Research Methods
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 9: Applied Research: How to Write Chapter 4: Findings
Introduction
How to Analyze Data
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Findings
How to Write the Discussion of the Findings
How to Write the Analysis of the Research Design
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 10: Applied Research: How to Write Chapter 5: Conclusion
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Research Question Responses
How to Write the Recommendations
How to Write the Roles and Responsibilities
How to Write the Resources Needed
How to Write the Timeline
How to Write the Implications
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 11: Action Research: How to Write the Front Matter
Introduction
How to Write the Front Matter
How to Write a Title for Action Research
How to Write the Title Page
How to Write the Approval Page
How to Write the Table of Contents
How to Write the Abstract
How to Write the List of Tables
How to Write the List of Figures
How to Write the List of Abbreviations
Conclusion
Chapter 12: Action Research: How to Write Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Site Context
How to Write the Introduction to the Problem
How to Write the Purpose Statement
How to Write the Significance of the Research
How to Write the Definitions
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 13: Action Research: How to Write Chapter 2: Literature Review
Introduction
How to Analyze and Synthesize Scholarly Literature
Contents of a Literature Review
How to Locate Scholarly Sources
Steps to Compose a Literature Review
How to Write a Literature Review Outline
How to Write a Literature Review
How to Narrow a Gap in Existing Literature
How to Become More Informed Regarding Your Research Topic
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Theoretical Framework
How to Write the Related Literature
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 14: Action Research: How to Write Chapter 3: Methods
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Research Question
How to Write the Role of the Researcher
Ethical Considerations
How to Write the Ethical Considerations
How to Write the Permission to Conduct the Research
How to Write the Setting and Participants
How to Write the Proposed Solution
How to Write the Research Methods
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 15: Action Research: How to Write Chapter 4: Findings
Introduction
How to Analyze Data
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Implementation Procedures
How to Write the Findings
How to Write the Discussion of the Findings
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Chapter 16: Action Research: How to Write Chapter 5: Conclusion
Introduction
How to Write the Overview
How to Write the Analysis of the Research Design
How to Write the Research Question Responses
How to Write the Future Recommendations
How to Write the Summary
Conclusion
Appendices
Appendix A: Applied Research Template
Appendix B: Action Research Template
Appendix C: Individual Scholarly Works Template
Appendix D: Comparative Scholarly Works Template
Glossary
References
Index
Dr. Bunnie L. Claxton is the founder and chief executive officer of Dissertation Research Specialist, a company that supports the implementation of doctoral programs in universities around the world. She currently serves as a consultant to universities regarding dissertation research to assist with program development, course development, and faculty training. She also provides support to doctoral candidates through her website www.dissertationspecialist.com. She is an adjunct instructor, subject matter expert, and dissertation chair for multiple universities. She is an international speaker, and she presented her research at Oxford University and Cambridge University in 2025. She was the keynote speaker for the World Conference on Teaching and Education in Berlin, Germany. Formerly, she served as the director of applied doctoral research at Liberty University. Dr. Claxton has been involved in the field of education since 1994, including public school, private school, home school, and higher education. Dr. Claxton served as the superintendent for Liberty University Online Academy, an online K–12 school with over 16,000 students, and she currently serves on the board of directors. She is the author of 20 textbooks and is best known for her Step-by-Step textbook series. A few titles include A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Applied Research, A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Qualitative Research, A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Quantitative Research, A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Literature Review for Doctoral Research, and A Step-by-Step Introduction to Research Methods: Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed-Methods, and Applied.
Dr. Greg M. Benson is an accomplished educator, researcher, and academic leader with over two decades of experience in teaching, leadership, and curriculum develop ment. He currently serves as Dean of the School of Education at Southern Wesleyan University, where he provides visionary leadership in program innovation, faculty development, and accreditation alignment. Additionally, Dr. Benson serves as an adjunct professor and dissertation methodologist for several universities, where he has mentored and chaired more than 400 doctoral dissertations, guiding emerging scholars in the areas of leadership, education, and applied research. A prolific author and speaker, Dr. Benson’s scholarship bridges the fields of leadership, education, and organizational effectiveness. His recent publications include multiple book chapters with IGI Global and contributions to The Power of Creative Thinking: Identifying and Solving Problems in Business, Education, and Society (KIE Conference, 2025). His research has been featured in the Journal of Physical Therapy Education, and he is the Editor-in-Chief of Employee Retention and Loyalty in the Modern Workplace (IGI Publishing, 2025). Dr. Benson’s professional mission centers on mentoring doctoral students, advancing evidence-based leadership practices, and helping educators design and conduct high-quality, project-based research that leads to meaningful change. Through his work, he continues to inspire scholars and practitioners to approach educational research as both an academic pursuit and a vehicle for transformative impact.