Completing Your Qualitative Dissertation

Completing Your Qualitative Dissertation offers comprehensive step-by-step guidance and practical tools for navigating the personal and professional challenges that can arise during the qualitative dissertation journey. Authors Linda Dale Bloomberg and Maria Volpe skillfully blend the conceptual, theoretical, and practical, empowering readers to successfully master both the content and the process of their qualitative dissertations.  

TheFourth Edition has been thoroughly updated to respond to developments in the field, allowing the book to have wider application for dissertation work within the evolving world of qualitative inquiry. Included in this edition is a new chapter titled "Achieving Alignment Throughout Your Dissertation," a greater focus on how all qualitative traditions can encompass activist research and social justice inquiry, and enhanced coverage on the role of the researcher, emphasizing the importance of reflexivity and approaching research critically.

List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Appendices
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
PART I. TAKING CHARGE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR WORK
1. A Complete Dissertation: The Big Picture
Objectives
Overview
Front Matter
Dissertation Chapters
Back Matter
Evaluating the Quality of a Qualitative Dissertation
2. Gearing Up: There Is Method in the Madness
Objectives
Overview
Identifying and Developing a Researchable Topic
Selecting and Forming Your Dissertation Committee
Stakeholder Responsibility and Standards of Good Practice
Organizing and Managing Your Project
3. Choosing a Qualitative Research Approach
Objectives
Overview
The History of Qualitative Research
Defining Features of Qualitative Research
Knowledge Claims
The Role of the Qualitative Researcher
The Current Landscape of Qualitative Inquiry
Qualitative Research Methodology (Genres or Traditions)
Moving Forward With Your Chosen Qualitative Methodology
Annotated Bibliography
4. Developing Your Research Proposal
Objectives
Overview
Proposal Components
Guidelines for Academic Writing
Integrity Matters
Institutional Review Board Approval
Annotated Bibliography
5. Achieving Alignment Throughout Your Dissertation
Objectives
Overview
Research Problem and Research Approach
Research Problem and Research Purpose
Research Problem, Research Purpose, and Research Questions
Research Problem, Research Purpose, and Research Methodology (Qualitative Genre or Tradition)
Research Methodology and Research Methods
Research Problem and Literature Review
Literature Review and Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework, Research Questions, and Research Findings
Research Methodology, Research Design, and Data Analysis
Research Methodology, Research Design, and Presentation of Findings
Research Findings, Interpretations, and Conclusions
Conclusions and Recommendations
Chapter Summary
Annotated Bibliography
Part I: Summary and Discussion
PART II. CONTENT AND PROCESS: A CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER ROAD MAP
6. Introduction to Your Study
Objectives
Overview
Section I: Instruction
Reflexive Questions for Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study
Chapter Summary Discussion
Quality Assessment Chapter Checklist
Section II: Application
Annotated Bibliography
7. Developing and Presenting Your Literature Review
Objectives
Overview
Section I: Instruction
Reflexive Questions for Chapter 2: Literature Review
Chapter Summary Discussion
Quality Assessment Chapter Checklist
Section II: Application
Annotated Bibliography
8. Presenting Methodology and Research Approach
Objectives
Overview
Section I: Instruction
Reflexive Questions for Chapter 3: Methodology
Chapter Summary Discussion
Quality Assessment Chapter Checklist
Section II: Application
Annotated Bibliography
9. Analyzing Data and Reporting Findings
Objectives
Overview
Section I: Instruction
Reflexive Questions for Chapter 4: Analyzing Data and Reporting Findings
Chapter Summary Discussion
Quality Assessment Chapter Checklist
Section II: Application
Annotated Bibliography
10. Analyzing, Interpreting, and Synthesizing Findings
Objectives
Overview
Section I: Instruction
Reflexive Questions for Chapter 5: Analyzing and Interpreting Findings
Chapter Summary Discussion
Quality Assessment Chapter Checklist
Section II: Application
Annotated Bibliography
11. Drawing Trustworthy Conclusions and Presenting Actionable Recommendations
Objectives
Overview
Section I: Instruction
Reflexive Questions for Chapter 6: Drawing Trustworthy Conclusions and Presenting Actionable Recommendations
Chapter Summary Discussion
Quality Assessment Chapter Checklist
Section II: Application
Part II: Summary and Discussion
PART III. NEARING COMPLETION
12. Some Final Technical Considerations
Objectives
Overview
Revisiting the Importance of Alignment
Crafting a Title
Writing the Abstract
Assembling the Manuscript
Proofreading and Editing
Quality Assessment Checklist for Your Complete Dissertation: All Together Now!
13. Defense Preparation and Beyond
Objectives
Overview
Pre-Defense Preparation
Post-Defense Preparation
Annotated Bibliography
Part III: Summary and Discussion
Afterword
Appendices
References
Author Index
Subject Index