At the doctoral level, research is essential for adding to the body of knowledge in the field and honing research skills in anticipation of pursuing advanced roles. Doctoral learners may conduct research to confirm or disprove a theory, or to bridge the gap between intellectual inquiry and practical application in the field.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Research at a high level can also signify different things to different learners. It’s common to experience a sense of personal satisfaction in the process of researching a topic thoroughly and conducting experiments.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

At Grand Canyon University, the College of Doctoral Studies empowers our doctoral candidates to conduct their own original research in a variety of fields and concentrations. As you think about earning your doctorate, take a closer look at questions like, Why is research important to me?

"Through Scott Wahl’s doctoral dissertation work at GCU, Scott has developed the research discipline and confidence to engage senior government and military officials thoughtfully and effectively, drawing on scholarship rather than advocacy alone." — Dr. Karen Lackey-Wince, College of Doctoral Studies Professor

Doctoral-level research refers to a major research project performed by a doctoral learner that is important because it’s intended to uncover new insights in the field or prove or disprove a theory. Take a closer look at what you can expect from doctoral research:

Defining Research at the Doctoral Level in Higher Education

At the doctoral level, learners conduct original qualitative or quantitative research that adds to the body of knowledge in their field. Their research culminates in a dissertation, a major research paper that includes components such as: 

• Introduction
• Literature review
• Methodology
• Results
• Discussion of the results
• Conclusion
• References
• Appendices

How Research in Doctorates Differs From Other Levels of Study

At the undergraduate and master’s degree levels, learners may conduct research, as well. However, research at these levels is markedly different from research at the doctoral level. Bachelor’s and master’s degree students will typically not perform original research; rather, they will research the theories, methodologies, findings and insights that have already been generated by original research.

In contrast, a doctoral learner will research the established literature in their field, identify gaps or lingering questions and develop a hypothesis. They will then use established methodologies to investigate and either prove or disprove their hypothesis. Their work culminates in a dissertation, which is then published, allowing other researchers access to that work. 

Why Research Is Important for Advancing Knowledge

Research at the doctoral level has the potential to transcend academia. After publication, other professionals in a variety of roles may use the insights generated by that research to solve or mitigate problems.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Furthermore, other researchers might turn to doctoral-level research to further generate new pathways of inquiry. The result is a continually expanding body of knowledge that enhances researchers’ understanding of the world and how to improve it.

Some examples of how doctoral-level research has made a practical impact include:^{(See disclaimer 1)}

• Engineering research at the doctoral level has helped make it possible to develop efficient renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines and solar panels.
• Doctoral-level research in education has led to the development of inclusive curriculum for students with exceptionalities.
• Some doctoral researchers have even saved lives, such as through the development of mRNA vaccines and gene therapy.

Research is crucial for doctoral students, and particularly so for their careers, because completing a doctorate can empower graduates to join the knowledge economy, either in academia or in an applied setting in their preferred industry.^{(See disclaimer 2 )}Consider the following benefits of completing research at the doctoral level and earning a doctorate:

Developing Critical and Analytical Thinking Skills

Conducting doctoral-level research can help you fine-tune your critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills. You’ll need to develop questions, conduct research and interpret your results — all of which take critical thinking skills. Meanwhile, analytical reasoning skills can help you assess and understand theories, as well as propose solutions.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

Becoming a Subject Matter Expert and Thought Leader

Research at the doctoral level is a time- and effort-intensive endeavor. You will need to focus your efforts on one narrow topic within your field, providing opportunities for you to develop deep expertise. Upon completing your work, you might cultivate a reputation for being a thought leader.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Opening Academic and Non-Academic Career Paths

Another benefit of completing intensive research for your doctorate degree is to pursue career opportunities. Earning a doctorate might help you access high-level roles in academia, research or your chosen industry.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Quantitative research is important for your doctoral studies because it allows you to derive insights from numerical data, which might help you identify patterns and formulate predictions based on quantifiable research.

Key Features of Quantitative Research Methods

Quantitative research is characterized by:

• Numerical data
• Structured approach
• Often uses large data sets

Why is quantitative research important for doctoral learners and professional researchers? Quantitative research strives to minimize the biases of the researchers by turning to largely objective and quantifiable data.^{(See disclaimer 4)} This allows researchers to explore their hypothesis using reliable data, thereby increasing the potential for generating more accurate insights. 

When to Choose Quantitative Designs for Doctoral-Level Research

You might use quantitative research designs for your doctoral research when you:^{(See disclaimer 4)} 

• Need to identify patterns and relationships
• Want to establish a potential cause-and-effect relationship
• Would like to develop a deeper understanding of the characteristics of data and the relationships between variables

Strengths and Limitations of Quantitative Doctoral-Level Research

The use of quantitative research at the doctoral level has both advantages and some limitations. Consider the following strengths:^{(See disclaimer 4)}

• Efficient: Quantitative research methods can allow researchers to acquire a huge amount of data rapidly.
• Pattern-finding: This research approach excels at identifying patterns in an objective way.
• Credibility: Because data can be collected on a broad population, the insights may have more credibility and might be more easily generalized beyond that population.

Qualitative research is equally essential in doctoral studies as quantitative research, as it has the potential to generate deep insights, particularly concerning complex, multifaceted concepts. Through qualitative research, you can explore the whys and hows of phenomena to generate insights about the human experience.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

Key Features of Qualitative Research Methods

Some of the key characteristics of qualitative research methods include:^{(See disclaimer 6)} 

• Captures nuance and detail of complex concepts, such as human behavior and interactions
• Emphasizes context (experiences) and voice (perspectives)
• Explores interpretive questions, like why and how
• Emphasizes the exploration of subjective values

Why is qualitative research important for doctoral learners? Qualitative research is capable of generating deep insights and exploring complex questions. Yet, it is no less rigorous than quantitative research, demanding thorough and systematic data collection and analysis.^{(See disclaimer 6)}

When to Choose Qualitative Designs for Doctoral-Level Research

You should choose qualitative research methods for your doctoral research when you:^{(See disclaimer 5,6)}

• Need to generate deep insights into human behaviors and relationships
• Want to explore complex, multifaceted phenomena, particularly those within the realm of social sciences
• Are interested in exploring details and nuances, rather than broad generalizations

Rather than collecting and analyzing numerical data, qualitative researchers examine findings from focus groups, case studies, interviews and participant observations.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

Strengths and Limitations of Qualitative Doctoral Research

There are plenty of advantages to conducting qualitative research at the doctoral level, including:^{(See disclaimer 5)}

• Explore the thoughts, feelings and motivations of study participants
• Enjoy flexibility and adaptability in data collection, such as by modifying interview questions in the midst of an interview
• Develop a deeper understanding of the factors that influence human behavior

Some of the potential limitations of qualitative research for doctoral learners include:^{(See disclaimer 5)}

• It can be difficult to develop generalizations given the small size of the data sets.
• Qualitative research is inherently subjective, not only because it explores the individual human experience but also because it’s susceptible to self-selection bias from the researchers.
• The findings of qualitative research studies can be difficult to replicate.

The College of Doctoral Studies at Grand Canyon University invites you to explore our many quantitative doctoral degree programs across various fields of study. These include the Doctor of Business Administration: Data Analytics degree, Doctor of Business Administration: Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship degree and the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership: Healthcare Administration degree program. 

At GCU, the doctoral dissertation and research process is integrated directly into the coursework right from the start, so you can begin your own original research sooner. Many of our programs offer convenient online coursework designed for the working professional, along with on-campus residencies to build connections and strengthen research efforts. Plus, our doctoral learners have access to robust student resources, including the Doctoral Community (DC) Network™.