Short description:

Drawing from the challenges the author has seen in supervising dissertation students, the book breaks down the dissertation chapter into smaller pieces, providing specific and detailed advice on how to frame the chapter, identify a research setting, work with data sources, develop data collection instruments, articulate a data analysis procedure, and adopt a reflexive stance on research roles.

Long description:

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.

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.

Table of Contents:

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