Qualitative Research by Ravitch Sharon M. (Michelle) Carl Nicole C. Mittenfelner & Nicole Mittenfelner Carl

Author:Ravitch, Sharon M. (Michelle), Carl, Nicole C. Mittenfelner & Nicole Mittenfelner Carl
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2015-09-14T15:04:53.169000+00:00

Methodology and Research Design

In this part of the report, you detail how you structured and engaged in the investigation into your research question(s). This section typically begins with an introductory overview to the overall methodological approach, research design, and the section as a whole. Depending on your research approach, you may include the following aspects and subsections:

A subsection on Site and Participant Selection that includes a contextualizing and specific description of the setting and study participants and how/why they were selected given the research questions (with a specific subsection that describes and explains the selection criteria used to make these decisions).

A subsection on Data Collection that details each data collection method, including a rationale for the choice of each specific method (e.g., interviews, focus groups, observation and fieldnotes, reflective writing, document review), the nature and scope of the information/knowledge you gained from the method, and the specific structures and procedures of each method with rationales that relate to your research questions and the study goals. As well, describe the strategy/logic behind how methods are timed and sequenced (Sequencing of Methods) and be clear about the research design in terms of how data were triangulated in data collection. The data collection section should include not only data collection strategies, such as interviews, focus groups, observation and fieldnotes, member checks, and the like, but also additional forms of data such as research memos, research journal, specific archival/document data, and other kinds of data collected.

In the Data Analysis section, include a specific description of the processes by which you analyzed your data. Topics to discuss include how data were transcribed, how they were analyzed (inductively, deductively, or a combination of both) how themes were developed, what analytical approach and processes were used, how codes were developed, examples of codes, analytical triangulation, and so on. Another way to structure this is by creating subheadings related to each of the three prongs of data analysis that we detail in Chapter Eight, including data organization and management, immersive engagement, and writing and representation.

Include a section about Issues of Validity in which you discuss threats to validity and how you addressed each one methodologically by structuring validity measures such as triangulation, strategic sequencing of methods, pilot study, piloting data collection instruments, participant validation processes (member checks), and collaborative processes including dialogic engagement (critical inquiry groups). Discuss issues of validity that specifically relate to your identity and positionality as a researcher (this may be included in a subsection titled Researcher Roles and Positionality).

Throughout your Methodology and Research Design section, it is important to cite methods literature to describe and substantiate your choices of methods and processes.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.