Writing about Methods in Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University Writing Center

Session objectives

• Learn how methods concern your research

• Identify components of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies

• Connect components to present in your proposal

• Learn writing tips and university resources to use in researching and writing your proposal

Methods in the capstone

EdD• Research option: Section 3; see EdD research study rubric• Project option: Section 2; see EdD project study rubric

DBASection 2; see DBA doctoral study rubric

PhD• Chapter 3; see PhD dissertation checklist and rubric • New PhD rubric webinar (Center for Research Quality)

Methods and the proposal

Conduct preliminary research and research between drafts

A. Literature first1. Draft literature review2. Draft methods section3. Draft introduction

B. Introduction first 1. Draft introduction2. Draft literature review3. Draft methods section

C. Do not begin with the method

Research methods

QualitativeQuantitativeMixed methodsGrounded theory (brief note)

Qualitative studies

PurposeTo explore a phenomenon in great detail

ApproachInductive (specific to general; phenomenon to

patterns/themes to interpretation to conclusion)

LanguageOpen-ended (e.g., “explore the lived experiences…”

or “examine the narratives…”); typically two or three research questions.

Qualitative studies: Components

Qualitative studies: Connecting components

Describe and justify design (derives from problem)Include research questions (no hypotheses)Explain

• Context of study• Criteria for selecting participants.• Data collection procedures.

– How and when the data will be analyzed

Address your potential bias (the researcher’s role)Describe measures for ethical protection of participants

Quantitative studies

PurposeTo examine the relationship between two or more quantifiable variables

ApproachDeductive (general to specific; theory to hypothesis to observation to

conclusion)

Language• Open-ended (“what is the relationship between X and Y”?)• Variables should be identified. The independent variable should be

conceptualized as a variable that affects the dependent variable.• Number of research questions can depend on number of variables.

Quantitative studies: Components

Quantitative studies: Connecting components

Describe and justify design (derives from problem)Include research questions (hypotheses)Explain

• Setting, population, and sample.• Treatment, instrumentation, and materials.– Name and type; concepts measured; reliability/validity• Data collection and analysis procedures.

– Explanation of descriptive and/or inferential analyses– Pilot study results, if applicable

Describe measures for ethical protection of participants

Mixed-method studies

PurposeTo explore a multifaceted phenomenon. Some components of the

phenomenon should be quantified, and others should be in narrative form.

ApproachBoth inductive and deductive

Language• Research questions presented in two sections

– One section includes qualitative, open-ended questions– One section includes quantitative questions with variables and

null and alternative hypotheses

Components (subheadings)Relevant qualitative and quantitative components

Mixed-method studies: Connecting components

Describe and justify design (derives from problem).

Address relevant qualitative and quantitative content (see preceding slides).

Explain measures for ethical protection of participants.

Grounded theory

• Grounded theories are typically based on qualitative methods but may use quantitative approaches, too.

• Any grounded theory study results in a theory. This important outcome is often missing in student work.

• Grounded theories use an abductive approach (beginning with incomplete data & proceeding to likeliest possible explanation).

Questions

Use the Q&A box on your screenType a question, and I will answer it.

Introduction to the Study and methods

Parts of Chapter/Section 1 concerning methods include

•Problem Statement: guides the choice of method •Nature of the Study: provides overview of method/design•Limitations: determines generalizability of final results•Delimitations: clarifies the focus of the study.

Problem statement and methods

Identifies a gap in literature or in education/business practice

• Quantitative: Gap is best addressed by examining the relationship between two or more variables

• Qualitative: Gap is best addressed by increasing understanding about an issue (the “issue” cannot or should not be quantified)

• Mixed method: Gap is best addressed through multiple methodological approaches. Employing only one method will not adequately address the gap.

Nature of the study and methods

Provides a brief introduction to your methods

• Include details (e.g., number of participants, names of instruments)

• Direct readers to methods section for more information (e.g., “See Chapter 3 for an extended discussion of the proposed study’s methods.”)

Limitations and methods

Characteristics of the design or method that set parameters on application or interpretation of the study’s results

• Sample size: Small samples lessen the ability to draw conclusions from sample data about a larger group.

• Instruments used for data collection: Instruments may limit the validity of participant responses.

• Time frame for data collection: A short time frame may prohibit causal claims between the variables.

Delimitations

• The boundaries of the inquiry, usually determined in the development of the proposal.

• Delimitations should explain what a study does not intend to cover, with justification for not doing so. These decisions should be based on criteria as “not directly relevant” or “not feasible" and the like.

Writing tips

For the proposal, write in the future tense.– “I will run a regression analysis…”

After the proposal has been approved and data have been collected and analyzed, write in the past tense.– “I ran a regression analysis…”

Be specific – Recipe card analogy (how many participants, which

instruments, etc.)

Take-home points

Writing is a process.• Allow yourself multiple revisions of each section and

take advantage of the Writing Center’s services.

The research problem dictates the method.• Do not impose a “pet” method to address an ill-

fitting research problem.

The method components should be clear.• The description of the method should be detailed

enough so that others could replicate the study.

Resources

Center for Research Quality • Research resources

– See Research Planning and Writing– See Research Design and Analysis• Forms (arranged by program: DBA, EdD, PhD)

Writing Center• Webinars– See Scholarly Writing Webinars– See Graduate Level Webinars– See Capstone Webinars

Questions

Email research questions to the Center for Research Quality (see Contact Us page)

Email writing questions to the Writing Center

• Course papers/KAMs: writingsupport@waldenu.edu

• Capstone proposals/studies: editor@waldenu.edu