Completing Your Qualitative Dissertation

Dr. Linda Dale Bloomberg (EdD Adult Education and Organizational Learning, Columbia University; M.A. Counseling Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Adult Education) has over two decades of experience in non-profit, Higher Education, and Online Learning. Her teaching and research experience includes instruction in graduate programs at Teachers College, Columbia University, and graduate online programs at Rider University, Northcentral University, and National University. She served for four years as senior researcher for the South African Human Sciences Research Council and National Institute for Personnel Research focusing on change management, diversity initiatives, and workplace learning. Dr. Bloomberg is founder of Bloomberg Associates and ILIAD (Institute for Learning Innovations and Adult Development), and a cofounder of Columbia University’s Global Learning and Leadership Institute. She consults to numerous research and nonprofit advisory boards, and in 202O was invited to serve on the Future Talent Council, Global Advisory Board for Faculty and Staff Development. She is author and editor of numerous journal publications in the fields of qualitative research, leadership development, adult learning, and distance education. Her most recent book publications include Designing and Delivering Effective Online Instruction: How to Engage Adult Learners (Teachers College Press, 2021), and the fifth edition of Completing your Qualitative Dissertation: A Road Map from Beginning to End (SAGE, 2023) . Dr. Bloomberg serves as dissertation chair and subject matter expert for multiple doctoral dissertation candidates, coaches higher education faculty to teach online, develops research curriculum for graduate programs, and presents regularly at national and international professional conferences on topics related to qualitative research, qualitative dissertation instruction, online learning, and professional development for online pedagogy. Linda can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindadalebloomberg/ Marie Volpe is adjunct faculty in adult learning and leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she teaches dissertation seminars and serves as advisor to doctoral candidates. She conducts workshops for teachers in Mongolia and lectures on qualitative research methods at Suzhou University, China. After a career spanning thirty-five years with Exxon Corporation, where she held the position of manager of education and development, Dr. Volpe embarked on a second career in higher education, in which she has practiced for the past twenty years. She has contributed to publications in the areas of staff development and informal learning in the workplace. She received her master’s in organizational psychology and doctorate in adult education from Columbia University.

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