SAHE 5387: Research Methods in Student Affairs

Reference Material in the form of subject dictionaries, encyclopedias, and handbooks typically provide background essays, definitions, broad overviews of various topics, or other pertinent facts. A good collection of searchable eReference titles can be accessed via Sage eReference.

Handbook of Student Affairs Administration

Student Services: A Handbook for the Profession

Assessment in Student Affairs

Research Proposal – formulate a proposal for a research study pertaining to a current issue of interest. A research study can be a lengthy and challenging experience; therefore, the proposal is an essential aspect of implementing an effective, rigorous study. Our goal is to divide the proposal into manageable portions that will result in a viable proposal by the end of the semester.
Statement of the Problem – identify an issue or concern in higher education and write a statement of the problem in three-paragraphs (at least one page double spaced), in APA format, that includes an introductory paragraph, and two paragraphs about the significance of a problem. You will need to include citations and a reference page.
Research Question(s) – as part of methodology, prepare a draft of your potential research question(s). Create 1-3 research questions (about the same topic area). Questions should be specific, but not too specific. For your reference, please check out the following website for further explanation and examples of research questions: LMU Library Guide
Literature Review – submit a 4-5 page literature review related to your research topic. Your literature review should utilize at least 10 sources and a synthesis of these articles. You should use a chronological, thematic, critical, or methodological analysis for your literature review. At least 4 of your sources need to be from research published in the last 5 years. Make sure you are using headings and appropriate APA grammar and citations.

Fall 2025 Topics:

• First generation ("first gen*) college student retention strategies (retention or attrition or turnover or "intent to leave" or "intent to stay")
• Sense of belonging ("sense of belonging" or belongingness or "feeling to belong" or "sense of community") among first generation ("first gen*) college students their first year
• Battle fatigue (fatigue *or exhaustion or tiredness or burnout or stress*) for women (women or woman or female*) of color (minorit*) in today’s political climate ; population can also be search as ("wom* of color" or "minority women" or "african american wom*" or "black wom*" or latinas) 
• Experiences of international students ("international student*" or "foreign student*" or "overseas student*" or "exchange student*") as they transition  (transition* or adaptation or adjustment or acculturation) to the U.S. and to higher education
• The impact peer mentoring programs ("peer mentor*" or "peer teaching") have on student success ("student success" or "academic achievement" or "student performance" or "academic performance" or "academic success")