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Qualitative Dissertation Methodology
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Qualitative Dissertation Methodology
A Guide for Research Design and Methods



January 2018 | 440 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Designing and writing a qualitative dissertation methodology chapter can be done!

Qualitative Dissertation Methodology: A Guide for Research Design and Methods functions as a dissertation advisor to help students construct and write a qualitative methodological framework for their research. Drawing from the challenges author Nathan Durdella has experienced while supervising students, the book breaks down producing the dissertation chapter into smaller pieces and goes through each portion of the methodology process step by step. With a warm and supportive tone, he walks students through the process from the very start, from choosing chairs and developing qualitative support networks to outlining the qualitative chapter and delving into the writing. By the end of the book, students will have completed the most challenging chapter of a qualitative dissertation and laid a strong foundation for the rest of their dissertation work.

Corresponding videos featuring the author help concepts come alive for your students. Learn more:
Developing Skills in Formulating Qualitative Research Questions
Key Skills in Writing a Qualitative Research Proposal

Available with Perusall—an eBook that makes it easier to prepare for class!
Perusall is an award-winning eBook platform featuring social annotation tools that allow students and instructors to collaboratively mark up and discuss their SAGE textbook. Backed by research and supported by technological innovations developed at Harvard University, this process of learning through collaborative annotation keeps your students engaged and makes teaching easier and more effective. Learn more.


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
PART 1 PREPARING FOR METHODOLOGICAL WORK
 
Chapter 1 Working as a Qualitative Methodologist in Dissertation Contexts
Ensuring That Qualitative Methodology Is the Right Fit for Your Dissertation Research Interests

 
Developing a Qualitative Methodology for Your Dissertation

 
Becoming a Qualitative Dissertation Methodologist

 
Designing an Executable Qualitative Dissertation Methodology

 
Putting Together Your Qualitative Dissertation Advising Chair and Committee

 
Chapter Summary

 
Questions for Application

 
 
Chapter 2 Understanding a Dissertation as Qualitative Methodology: A Section-by-Section Approach
Dissertations as Socially Constructed Processes and Products of Cultural Values and Rituals

 
Current Thinking on the Dissertation: Critiques and Emerging Approaches

 
Understanding Methodology in Qualitative Research

 
Qualitative Dissertation Methodology in Doctoral Program Contexts

 
Contextualizing Qualitative Methodology in Dissertation Research

 
Meaningfully Designing a Qualitative Methodological Framework: A Section-by-Section Approach

 
Chapter Summary

 
Questions for Application

 
 
PART 2 DEVELOPING A METHODOLOGY CHAPTER
 
Chapter 3 Framing a Dissertation Study Through a Research Tradition
A Story About Research Traditions in Qualitative Dissertation Methodology

 
Leading to Qualitative Research Traditions: Research Paradigms in Qualitative Inquiry

 
Qualitative Research Traditions in Dissertations

 
Integrating Methodology in Qualitative Dissertations Through Research Traditions

 
Conceptualizing a Qualitative Research Tradition Chapter Section

 
Writing a Qualitative Research Tradition Section: Methodology Chapter Template

 
Chapter Summary

 
Checklist for Methodology Chapter Development

 
Questions for Application

 
 
Chapter 4 Identifying a Research Setting and Exploring Research Contexts
Connecting Research and Practice: Initial Considerations in Research Settings

 
Site Selection as a Process: Using a Systematic Approach With Physical or Virtual Locations

 
When Research Settings Do Not Lead to a Specific Site or Sites

 
Gaining Access and Seeking Approval to Work at a Site

 
Describing Research Settings: Historical, Contextual, and Locational Cues

 
Integrating Methodology in Qualitative Dissertations: Research Settings

 
Conceptualizing a Qualitative Research Setting Chapter Section

 
Writing a Qualitative Research Setting Section: Methodology Chapter Template

 
Chapter Summary

 
Checklist for Methodology Chapter Development

 
Questions for Application

 
 
Chapter 5 Working With Data Sources: Selecting Research Participants and Forming Research Samples
A Transition From Sampling at the Site Level to the Participant Level

 
Decisions About Research Participants: Data Sources, Data Types, and Data Collection Methods

 
Sampling and Selection Strategies With Research Participants

 
Successful Outcomes: Inviting and Negotiating Research Participation

 
Describing Research Samples: Sharing Their Stories, Protecting Their Identities

 
Integrating Methodology in Qualitative Dissertations: Data Sources and Sample

 
Conceptualizing a Data Sources and Sample Chapter Section

 
Writing a Data Sources and Sample Section: Qualitative Methodology Chapter Template

 
Chapter Summary

 
Checklist for Methodology Chapter Development

 
Questions for Application

 
 
Chapter 6 Developing Data Collection Instruments and Describing Data Collection Procedures
Gathering Information: Detailing Data Collection Methods, Procedures, and Instruments

 
Instrumentation in Qualitative Inquiry: Constructing and Integrating Your Guides

 
Procedural Steps With Collecting Data: From Standard Practice to Pragmatic Considerations

 
Building a Social Network in the Field: Practical Considerations to Facilitate Data Collection

 
Power Dynamics in the Field: Accounting for Positions and Positionality in Research Contexts

 
Integrating Methodology in Qualitative Dissertations: Data Collection Instruments and Procedures

 
Conceptualizing a Data Collection Instruments and Procedures Chapter Section

 
Writing a Data Collection Instruments and Procedures Section: Qualitative Methodology Chapter Template

 
Chapter Summary

 
Checklist for Methodology Chapter Development

 
Questions for Application

 
 
Chapter 7 Articulating Data Analysis Procedures
Understanding the Analytical Process in Qualitative Research

 
Analysis as a Three-Phase Process in Qualitative Dissertation Methodology

 
Computer-Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) in Dissertations

 
Integrating Methodology in Qualitative Dissertations: Data Analysis Procedures

 
Conceptualizing a Data Analysis Procedures Chapter Section

 
Writing a Data Analysis Section: Qualitative Methodology Chapter Template

 
Chapter Summary

 
Checklist for Methodology Chapter Development

 
Questions for Application

 
 
Chapter 8 Adopting a Reflexive Practice With a Discussion of Researcher Roles
Why Consider Researcher Roles in Your Dissertation Research?

 
Roles and Subjectivities, or What You and Participants (and Readers) Bring to Your Study

 
Research Effects on Methodology: Implications for Results and Findings

 
Mitigating Research Effects: Strategies to Account for Who You Are in Your Study

 
Integrating Methodology in Qualitative Dissertations: Researcher Roles

 
Conceptualizing a Researcher Roles Chapter Section

 
Writing a Researcher Roles Section: Qualitative Methodology Chapter Template

 
Chapter Summary

 
Checklist for Methodology Chapter Development

 
Questions for Application

 
 
PART 3 TRANSITIONING TO WORK AFTER A METHODOLOGY CHAPTER
 
Chapter 9 Protecting Human Research Participants in Qualitative Dissertation Methodology
The Methodology Chapter as an Ethical Contract

 
Background to Human Subjects Protections and Research Governance

 
Recent Changes in Human Subjects Research: Updates to the Common Rule

 
Research Governance as a Process: Navigating Institutional Review Board (IRB) Procedural Requirements

 
Discussing Protections of Human Research Subjects in Qualitative Dissertation Methodology

 
Writing and Revising an IRB Protocol: Strategies for Practice

 
Chapter Summary

 
Checklist for Methodology Chapter Development

 
Questions for Application

 
 
Chapter 10 Writing Up and Presenting Results of Qualitative Data Analysis
Why Think About Your Results and Conclusions Chapter(s) Now?

 
The Overall Functions of Qualitative Dissertation Results and Findings Chapters

 
Strategies to Display Data and Communicate Results and Findings

 
Organizing a Dissertation Chapter or Chapters on Results and Interpretation of Data Analysis

 
Disseminating and Presenting Results of Your Qualitative Dissertation Work

 
Chapter Summary

 
Questions for Application

 
 
References
 
Index
 
About the Author

The beauty of this text is it demystifies the process of constructing a qualitative dissertation methodology. This is the big hurdle a student must cross to make it to degree completion...Overall the text is a solid all-in-one qualitative research manual for students in applied and social behavioral science fields. And with more pressure being put on institutions to increase their graduation rates, this text could very well help more students earn their doctorate degrees.

Stephanie A. Bluestein
California State University, Northridge
Key features

KEY FEATURES:

 

  • The book addresses the unique challenges inherent in qualitative research, such as analyzing and interpreting results and ethics and protecting human research participants.
  • A section-by-section approach to methodology chapter development allows readers to develop one part of the methodological framework at a time instead focusing on the dissertation as an overwhelming whole.
  • Doctoral student examples from real, interdisciplinary dissertations illustrate the variety of traditions and techniques available in qualitative methodology and make a complete dissertation seem attainable.
  • “Key Questions to Ask Yourself” and “Questions for Application” ask students to stop and reflect on the concepts in the book and to take what they have learned and apply it to their own research.
  • The book follows the timeline of methodology chapter development so readers can organize their work into manageable steps and operate within the conceptual and tactical work of qualitative dissertation methodology writing.
  • Templates to draft qualitative dissertation methodology chapter sections and subsections serve as structured guides to frame design and writing.

 

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