Learning Activity 4.4

• Is the study’s purpose clearly specified?

Yes the purpose of the study is clearly stated. It is to “identify empirical studies that explored servant leadership theory by engaging a sample population in order to assess and synthesize the mechanisms and outcomes and impact on servant leadership” (Parris, D., & Peachey, J., 2013, p. 377).

• Is the focus of the study appropriate?

The focus of the study is appropriate, but it is very broad as it is a Systematic Literature Review. The variables are clearly defined in the summary, but are vague:  “the researchers sought to provide an evidence-based answer of how does servant leadership work and how can we apply it” (Parris, D., & Peachey, J., 2013, p. 377).

• Is the overall intent of the study appropriate?

Yes, the intent is clearly stated. The researchers are clear on what they hope to learn. “Thus, we sought to provide an evidence-informed answer to how does servant leadership work, and how can we apply it?”(Parris, D., & Peachey, J., 2013, p. 377).

• Are the participants and the sites appropriate?

Yes the participants and the sites are appropriate. “A disciplined screening process resulted in a final sample population of 39 appropriate studies” (Parris, D., & Peachey, J., 2013, p. 377).

• Is the purpose of the study narrowed through appropriate research questions and/or hypotheses?

In terms of what literature was selected, the study was definitely narrowed by virtue of the fact that it was a systematic review of literature rather than a narrative review.  “The purpose of this study was to systematically examine and organize the current body of research literature that either quantitatively or qualitatively explored servant leadership theory in a given organizational setting. In this SRL we only included empirical studies that investigated servant leadership in an organizational context and excluded studies with a primary focus on model development or testing measurement instruments.(Parris, D., & Peachey, J., 2013, p. 378).

• Does the purpose of the study follow logically from the statement of the problem and the literature review?

Yes the purpose of the study is to assess empirical studies that explored theories of servant leadership in organizations to determine the impact of servant leadership on organizations (Parris, D., & Peachey, J., 2013, p. 377).

• Is the purpose consistent with the study’s overall approach?

Yes the purpose is consistent with the study’s overall approach. I would rate the research study as 3.

References

Parris, D., & Peachey, J. (2013). A Systematic Literature Review of Servant Leadership Theory in Organizational Contexts. Journal Of Business Ethics, 113(3), 377-393. doi:10.1007/s10551-012-1322-6