Chapter 3: Methodology

Aim of the Study:
This section should include a brief description of the general aim of the study.

Qualitative Research Approach
Provide some background to the approach and why it is a good strategy for your research. This section should include the following:
1. Identify the specific strategy of inquiry to be used with references (e.g., narrative, phenomenology, case study, ethnographic).
2. Provide some background information about the strategy (e.g., applications of and brief definition for discipline origin).
3. Discuss the intended outcome from this type of strategy.
4. Discuss the source of this strategy.
5. Discuss why it is an appropriate strategy.
6. Identify how the use of this approach will shape the type of questions asked, the form of data collection, and the steps of data analysis.

Participants:
This section should include the following elements: (a) the participants should be defined, consistent with the Purpose Statement and the Research Questions (this should also include demographic information such as age, gender, and ethnicity) and (b) a discussion of the type of sampling with reference citations (e.g., purposive, criterion, snowball sampling technique).
This section should contain a discussion about participants and the site, including the following: (a) the setting, (b) the actors (who will be interviewed), (c) the events (what will the actors will be observed or interviewed doing), (d) the process (the evolving nature of events undertaken by the actors within the setting), and (e) the type or types of data to be collected (e.g., focus groups, observations, interviews, documents, audio and visual material; be specific about the strengths and weaknesses of each type).

Data Collection Tools:
which established instruments will be utilized, this section will detail each data-collection instrument. The relevant information pertaining to each instrument should include the source or developers of the instrument and any other salient information. Also permission from the author must be granted or you must state why permission was not necessary. Both the instrument and a permission note must also appear in the appendix. If an original instrument is created, you must identify the influencing literature.

Additionally, describe how the instrument was validated; you may explain that is was piloted and reviewed by a group of experts. The actual instrument should be included in the dissertation document as an appendix.

Procedures:
The Procedures section will be based directly on the research questions (central and subquestions). Specifically, this is the “how-to” section of the study: how the data will be collected based on the questions of interest. This section should read like a step-by-step recipe of how the study, beginning with IRB approval, will be conducted.

Data Analysis:
Name the steps involved in conducting an analysis of qualitative data. Describe how the data will be organized and transcribed. Discuss the coding procedures of the transcripts or text files. If used, discuss specific qualitative software you will use for your analysis. Develop a detailed qualitative description. Make sure that the approach used for the study is reflective in the language used when describing the analysis. For example, a phenomenological study has specific language when describing the stages of analysis.

Ethical Considerations:
This section should describe how you will maintain ethics of the study. Preserve anonymity and keep the documents secure.

Trustworthiness:
This section should demonstrate aspects of the study’s validity and reliability. Why should your study be trusted? Check the accuracy of your findings and interpretation by including the following: (a) member checking—asking members to check the accuracy of the account and (b) triangulation—using corroborating evidence.
Potential Research Bias
In this section, describe your own bias of the topic, whether personal or professional. Also, you should explain the plan to manage potential bias.

Limitations:
Include any limitations, restrictions, or constraints that may affect the dissertation outcomes.