Do's and don'ts of qualiltative, quantitative and mixed methods writing, data collection and analysis
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The document outlines the do's and don'ts of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research in the context of writing doctoral dissertations and theses. It emphasizes the importance of clear data presentation, the need for objectivity in qualitative writing, and the challenges associated with rigorous instrument development in quantitative studies. Additionally, it highlights the complexities of integrating multiple methods and provides tips for ensuring internal validity throughout the research process.
Do's and don'ts of qualiltative, quantitative and mixed methods writing, data collection and analysis
- 1. The Do’s & Don’ts of QQMM work Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods with previews from the new book: James, E. A., & Slater, T. (2014). Write Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Faster: A Proven Map to Success. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications.
- 2. Let’s Jump In… • Two parts to each type of methodology – – Do’s and don’ts about writing it up – Do’s and don’ts in data collection and analysis
- 3. QUALITATIVE WRITING IT UP? DOING IT? General discussion What do you know about
- 4. General or Common Qualitative Lessons 1. Telling a story in such a way without being part of it – need to be objective and at a distance 2. Time consuming – takes hours extra to transcribe 3. No short-cut 4. Easy to become side- tracked 5. Have to watch out for bias – 6. Also may have to consider whether and how much qualitative is respected within your university
- 5. Dos and Don’ts for Qualitative Writing 1. Don’t quote your authors too much 2. Always by concise or avoid discussions in your methods chapters 3. Avoid discussions of topic in methodology James, E. A., & Slater, T. (2014). Write Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Faster: A Proven Map to Success. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications.
- 6. Qualitative Dos and Don’ts for Data Collection & Analysis 1. Cross-examine your worldview – is it getting in the way of an alternative interpretation? 2. Discuss your work with others, get their opinions – and member check with your participants to ensure you “got it right” 3. Transcribe your recordings, don’t rely on notes 4. Don’t forget that a clear explanation of the demographics and context of your participants is as important as it is to quantitative readers 5. Take notes on where you met, with whom, for how long and include these specifics in your explanation of how your data were collected.
- 7. Qualitative Dos and Don’ts for Data Collection & Analysis Consistently report your findings so that your reader understands: 1. From whom they were derived. 2. How the themes related to your questions. 3. The relative numerical justification for quantification of the idea within your larger body of data. As an example, if the majority of your study participants agreed with A then it should be discussed first and should be quantified with the percentage of people who mentioned something similar. The other results should follow in an obvious fashion. 4. The logical order which you maintain throughout all your arguments leading to your findings. 5. The role played by disparate data or outliers in your study. These should include a quantification of the significance of these other ideas within your whole collection of data.
- 8. Questions? Don’t be shy – someone else is probably wondering the same thing
- 9. QUANTITATIVE WRITING IT UP? DOING IT? General discussion What do you know about
- 10. General or Common Quantitative Lessons 1. Takes a long time to develop rigorous and reliable instruments. 2. Also may have trouble getting a large enough N= to be statistically valid.
- 11. Dos and Don’ts for Quantitative Writing 1. Be clear on which are results and which are findings 2. Tell your reader at the beginning of each section how the results and findings will be presented and then follow that order 3. Superimpose a routine on your explanation of results, repeating that routine throughout your argumentation in order for your reader to understand the sequence of thoughts and how they develop James, E. A., & Slater, T. (2014). Write Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Faster: A Proven Map to Success. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications.
- 12. Quantitative Dos and Don’ts for Data Collection & Analysis James, E. A., & Slater, T. (2014). Write Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Faster: A Proven Map to Success. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications. DO 1. Tell your reader at the beginning of each section how the results and findings will be presented and then follow that order. 2. Superimpose a routine on your explanation of results, repeating that routine throughout your argumentation in order for your reader to understand the sequence of thoughts and how they develop. 3. Use the tables and charts to present your data to highlight and offer your reader more options for understanding your arguments rather than just written or formulaic descriptions 4. Clearly explain the statistical models and tests you used and why they are best suited to your study
- 13. Quantitative Dos and Don’ts for Data Collection & Analysis James, E. A., & Slater, T. (2014). Write Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Faster: A Proven Map to Success. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications. Don’t 1. Spend too much space on written descriptions, especially paragraph long descriptions of frequencies of responses, instead organize quantitative evidence using tables and charts and show your readers how the qualitative data compare with quotations from that evidence. 2. Forget to consider the internal validity of your findings, discussion or conclusions, and arguments in terms of both types of evidence. This discussion should be considered as part of your final
- 14. Questions? Don’t be shy – someone else is probably wondering the same thing
- 15. MIXED METHODS WRITING IT UP? DOING IT? General discussion What do you know about
- 16. General or Common Mixed Methods Lessons 1. The main difficulty with mixed methods is getting the logic of the design integrated enough that the data triangulate well and easily. 2. The second issue is in your ability to write it up so your reader understands the internal validity in your design.
- 17. Dos and Don’ts for Mixed Methods Writing 1. Check and double check the logics of each method – and how you display them for your readers: one and then the other? Or back and forth? 2. Tell others what you did, see where they stumble in understanding and plan for that in your writing James, E. A., & Slater, T. (2014). Write Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Faster: A Proven Map to Success. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications.
- 18. Mixed Methods Dos and Don’ts for Data Collection & Analysis James, E. A., & Slater, T. (2014). Write Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Faster: A Proven Map to Success. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications. DO 1. Layout your logic and what you want to say in slides – talk yourself and others through it and pre plan before you do much writing. 2. Discuss how you coded your qualitative data 3. Justify your use of the statistical tests that you employed 4. Carefully plot your internal validity for your readers
- 19. Questions? Don’t be shy – someone else is probably wondering the same thing
- 20. Upcoming News/Events Monthly Content in Control Panel for Paying Members This month all about writing: 1) Pdf on tips and tricks 2) Video on using bibliographic software to help you write Upcoming Conferences: June 30th - Theoretical and conceptual frameworks: What good are they? July 14th - Pitfalls in data collection and analysis-what goes wrong? July 28th - What makes for outstanding dissertations and thesis? August 11th - Writing an outstanding introduction to your thesis August 25th - The golden thread - building internal consistency throughout your dissertation or thesis September 8th- Committees, defense and publishing: The end games Now scheduling online virtual retreats for July and August http://www.doctoralnet.com/virtual-retreats-explained2.html