RBL810 is designed to guide DBA students step by step toward a high-quality doctoral research proposal. Rather than requiring students to submit a full proposal immediately, the module uses a scaffolded assessment structure that builds the proposal progressively.

RBL810 includes:

• Four formative assessments (feedback only, not graded)
• One final summative assessment (the graded research proposal)

The four formative assessments are not separate, standalone assignments. Each assessment contributes directly to a specific section of the final research proposal, which is the only graded component of the module.

Assessment I – Research Foundations

You develop:

• Potential research questions
• A preliminary study rationale
• Research goals and a planning timeline

Builds the introduction, problem statement, and study purpose.

Assessment II – Research Methods Planning

You:

• Explore qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method approaches
• Review at least three peer-reviewed studies
• Analyze methods, measurements, and data analysis approaches

Builds the methodology rationale and design justification.

Assessment III – Research Design and Literature Review

You:

• Write the full research design (step-by-step, replicable)
• Define variables, population, sample, instruments, and procedures
• Develop a structured literature review with references

Builds the methodology chapter and literature review.

Assessment IV – Reflective Integration

You reflect on:

• Academic and professional learning
• Challenges encountered
• Research readiness and future vision

Supports doctoral maturity and transition to the thesis stage.

No.

The four formative assessments are feedback-only. They:

• Do not receive grades
• Do not use rubrics

They exist to help you improve your work before the final evaluation.

Once all four formative assessments are completed, students submit a full doctoral research proposal, which is:

• Checked for plagiarism and AI use (plagiarism and AI must not exceed 25%)
• Graded using an official Research Proposal Approval Rubric
• The only graded assessment in RBL810

Approval of the proposal leads to formal supervisor assignment and progression into the doctoral thesis stage.

EIU is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic honesty, integrity, and intellectual rigor. In response to growing concerns regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academic work, the University has integrated AI content detection technology into its plagiarism-checking system.

An assignment is classified as AI-generated if it has been primarily composed or substantially influenced by an AI program, tool, or algorithm, with minimal intellectual input, authorship, or oversight from the student.

To maintain academic integrity:

• The maximum permitted similarity index for plagiarism is 25%.
• The maximum permitted threshold for AI-generated content is also 25%.

If either plagiarism or AI-generated content exceeds the 25% threshold:

• The assignment will not be accepted in its current form.
• The student will be required to resubmit the assignment.
• A resubmission fee will apply, in accordance with University policy.

This policy is effective immediately and applies to all academic programs. It reflects EIU’s commitment to protecting the academic value, credibility, and international recognition of its degrees.

Students are encouraged to use AI tools, if at all, only as a support for brainstorming or language refinement, and not as a substitute for original thinking, analysis, and academic writing.

RBL820 and RBL830 are designed to ensure that DBA students remain actively engaged in scholarly, academic, and professional discourse throughout their doctoral studies.

These modules require students to participate in national or international seminars, conferences, or workshops relevant to their field of specialization. Engagement may be virtual or in person and may involve attendance as a participant or presentation of a research paper.

Together, these modules support:

• Exposure to contemporary research and professional debates
• Academic networking
• Refinement of the doctoral research focus

For RBL820, students must attend or participate in at least one national or international seminar, conference, or workshop relevant to their doctoral research.

After participation, students must submit a detailed report via the LMS, including:

• Event details (name, date, organizer, and location)
• Key takeaways and their relevance to academic or professional development
• Proof of participation (e.g., certificate of attendance, programme schedule, or presentation materials, if applicable)

RBL830 builds on RBL820 and requires continued scholarly engagement. Students must attend and report on additional academic or professional events, further enriching their research perspective and academic maturity.

Students are expected to:

• Identify and register for relevant events
• Attend as a participant or presenter
• Submit a structured report similar to RBL820

Each submission must include:

• Event details (name, date, organizer, and location)
• Key academic or professional insights gained
• Proof of participation

These modules ensure sustained engagement with scholarly communities throughout the DBA programme.

DSSR980 is the core research component of the DBA programme. In this module, students complete their doctoral thesis under academic supervision.

The thesis must:

• Be a minimum of 30,000 words
• Demonstrate originality, methodological rigor, and scholarly depth
• Contribute meaningfully to theory and/or practice in the field
• Reflect the principles of a practitioner-oriented doctorate

The completed thesis undergoes formal academic review prior to approval for the viva voce.

The Viva Voce is the final academic examination of the DBA programme. It consists of a virtual oral defense conducted before a panel of three to four international experts in the student’s field.

During the viva, students are required to:

• Present and defend their research
• Justify methodological and theoretical choices
• Discuss findings and implications
• Respond to critical academic questions posed by the panel

The viva voce represents the final demonstration of doctoral-level competence and scholarly contribution.