Qualitative Dissertation Methodology

Nathan Durdella (he/him/his) is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at California State University, Northridge, where he advises doctoral students, supervises doctoral student dissertation studies, and teaches graduate-level courses in action research, grant writing, academic planning, and qualitative research design and methods. Durdella published his first book, Qualitative Dissertation Methodology: A Guide for Research Design and Procedures (SAGE) in 2019, and he has previously authored or co-authored journal articles and chapters in edited volumes. Durdella holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and political science, a Master's degree in Latin American studies, a Master's degree in education, and a Ph.D. in education-all from the University of California Los Angeles.

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