Dissertation chapter 3

Dissertation chapter 3

solving the problem. This section is summarized in Chapter 3. This section of Chapter 1 should be a minimum of three to four paragraphs with citations from empirical research articles to support statements. (Minimum three or four paragraphs or approximately one page) States the CHAPTER III: METHOD. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the research methodology for this qualitative grounded theory study regarding what motivates women to stay in or return to STEM professions long-term. This approach allowed for a deeper understanding of women’sFile Size: KB May 11,  · Chapter 3 – Dissertation Methodology (example) Introduction. The current chapter presents developing the research methods needed to complete the experimentation Selecting an Appropriate Research Approach. Creswall () stated that research approaches are plans and procedures Justifying the Estimated Reading Time: 12 mins

Chapter 3 – Dissertation Methodology (example) | Research Prospect

This chapter presents the methods and research design for this dissertation study. It begins by presenting the research questions and settings, the LibraryThing and Goodreads digital libraries. This is followed by an overview of the mixed methods research design used, incorporating a sequence of three phases.

Each of the three methods—qualitative content analysis, a quantitative survey questionnaire, dissertation chapter 3 qualitative interviews—are then presented in detail.

The codes and themes used for analysis during the qualitative phases are discussed next. The chapter continues with sections on the management of the research data for this study; the validity, reliability, and trustworthiness of study findings; and ethical considerations. The invitation letters and informed consent statement; survey instrument; interview questions; a quick reference guide used for coding and analysis; and documentation of approval from LibraryThing, Goodreads, and the FSU Human Subjects Committee are included in appendices.

As stated in Chapter 1 the purpose of this research, taking a social perspective on digital libraries, is to improve understanding of the organizational, cultural, institutional, collaborative, and social contexts of digital libraries, dissertation chapter 3.

The following two research questions satisfy the purpose of the proposed study within the approach, setting, and framework introduced dissertation chapter 3 Chapter 1 :. These two questions explore the existing and emergent worlds that may surround digital libraries in social, collaborative use and behavior. RQ1 focuses on examining how LibraryThing and Goodreads may support existing collaboration, communities, and other social activities and behaviors across social and information worlds, with a specific eye to translation, characteristics indicating coherence of existing worlds, and uses of the digital libraries as boundary objects.

RQ2 focuses on examining how LibraryThing and Goodreads may support coherence and convergence of new, emergent social and information worlds and their characteristics, as indicated by use of the digital libraries as boundary objects as new, localized standards. The questions dissertation chapter 3 on the roles of each digital library, be there one role, multiple roles, or possibly no role played by LibraryThing and Goodreads, dissertation chapter 3.

These roles may or may not include explicit support for collaboration, communities, or social contexts. The research questions use and incorporate the definitions, concepts, and propositions of social digital libraries see section 2. Coherence and convergence are seen as the same concept in boundary object theory see section 2. The dissertation chapter 3 of the two indicate convergence will lead to new, emergent worlds, and this meaning is indicated by its use in RQ2, but not RQ1.

In this dissertation study, the boundary objects of interest are defined and given as two digital libraries: LibraryThing and Goodreads see sections 3. This approach is opposite the procedure used by Star and Griesemerwho first identified the populations of communities, users, and stakeholders in their study, then examined the boundary objects they used. Bødker and Christiansen ; Gal, Yoo, and Boland ; Henderson ; and Pawlowski, Robey, and Raven have used this approach to varying extents, proving its validity and usefulness as an approach to take for studying social digital libraries as boundary objects.

This research takes a case study approach, where "a detailed" and intensive "analysis of … individual case[s]"—LibraryThing and Goodreads—will be performed Fidel,p. The research looked to generate "a comprehensive understanding of the event under study"—uses of these dissertation chapter 3 libraries as boundary objects within and across existing and emergent social and information worlds—and develop "more general theoretical statements about dissertation chapter 3 in the observed phenomena" surrounding social digital libraries p.

Case studies often focus on the cycle of research methods which inform each other through a longer, more detailed research process than using a single exploratory method. A case study approach fosters multiple opportunities to revisit and reanalyze data collected earlier in the study, revise the research design as new facets and factors emerge, and combine multiple methods and data sources into a holistic description of each case.

The research design used here, employing two qualitative and one quantitative method in a cycle see section 3. Yin breaks the process of conducting a case dissertation chapter 3 into five phases. The phases "effectively force [the researcher] to begin constructing a preliminary theory" prior to data collection p.

First, one must determine the research questions to be asked; these were included in section dissertation chapter 3. Second, one must identify what Yin calls the "propositions," statements "direct[ing] attention to something that should be examined within the scope of study" p, dissertation chapter 3.

The theoretical framework developed earlier see section 2. The operationalization dissertation chapter 3 this focus is discussed for each method in sections 3.

Third, Yin says one must determine the unit of analysis, based on the research questions. In this study, the overall units of analysis are the two social digital libraries under consideration, LibraryThing and Goodreads; other units of interest include communities, groups, and individuals.

The specific unit of analysis for each method of data collection is discussed in sections 3, dissertation chapter 3. Fourth, one must connect "data to [theoretical] propositions," matching patterns with theories p.

Using the theoretical framework developed in section 2. For the final step, Yin says one must determine "the criteria for interpreting [the] findings" p. This research employed a multiple-case, dissertation chapter 3, "holistic" design at the highest level, focusing dissertation chapter 3 LibraryThing and Goodreads as units, but what Yinp. Examining two social digital libraries allows them to be compared and contrasted, but commonalities were expected to emerge—and did—across the two cases to allow theoretical and practical conclusions to be drawn see Chapter 5.

Yin stated case study designs must be flexible and may change as a dissertation chapter 3 of research not turning out as expected, and subtle changes were made to what was intended to be a flexible plan for case studies of LibraryThing and Goodreads and their use as boundary objects within and across existing and emergent social and information worlds.

LibraryThing LT is a social digital library and web site founded in August LibraryThing, dissertation chapter 3. It allows users to catalog books they own, have read, or want to read LibraryThing, n. Users can assign tags to books, mark their favorites, and create and share collections of books with others; these collections are searchable and sortable, dissertation chapter 3.

LT suggests books to users based on the similarity of collections. LT provides groups administered by users or staffdissertation chapter 3, which include shared library collection searching, forums, and statistics on the books collected by members of the group LibraryThing, n. Each user has a profile page which links to their collections, tags, dissertation chapter 3, reviews, and ratings, and lists other user-provided information such as homepage, social networks used Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Examining LibraryThing in light of the definition of social digital libraries see sections 1. As a large social digital library and web site, open to the public and with multiple facets, LibraryThing is well-suited as a setting and case for examining the role of digital libraries within and across communities.

The existing research literature on LibraryThing has focused on its roles for social tagging and classification e. This study adds an additional view of the site as an online community and social digital library.

Goodreads GRsimilar to LibraryThing, is a social digital library and web site founded in January Goodreads, a. As of Juneit dissertation chapter 3 25 million members.

As with LibraryThing, Goodreads users can create lists of books called "shelves"which act as site-wide tags anyone can search on para. Searching and sorting are possible for other metadata and content types; metadata can apply to editions manifestations or expressions of a book or to whole works in FRBR terms; International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Groups can be created, joined, dissertation chapter 3, and moderated by users including Goodreads staff ; they can include group shelves, dissertation chapter 3, discussion forums, events, photos, videos, and polling features, dissertation chapter 3.

Users have profile pages, which may include demographic information, favorite quotes, writing samples, and events. Users who have greater than 50 books on their shelves can apply to become a Goodreads librarianwhich allows them to edit and update metadata for books and authors Goodreads, d, "What can librarians do? In Dissertation chapter 3 —during the early stages of this dissertation research—Amazon.

com acquired Goodreads Chandler, Examining GR in light of the definition of social digital libraries see sections 1. As with LibraryThing, Goodreads is well-suited as a setting and case for examining the role of digital libraries within and across communities, dissertation chapter 3, because it is a large social digital library and web site that is open to the public and has multiple facets.

Naik, ; Stover, and examining its impact on the practice of reading Nakamura, Use of a mixed methods research design combines qualitative and quantitative methods together to emphasize their strengths; minimize their weaknesses; improve validity, reliability, and trustworthiness; and obtain a fuller understanding of uses of social digital libraries as boundary objects within and across social and information worlds.

Definitions of mixed methods research vary but core characteristics can be identified, which Creswell and Plano Clarkp. This study meets all of these criteria. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected and integrated in sequence; qualitative data was prioritized, but not at the expense of quantitative data collection; multiple methods were used within this one study; and the study was based on the theoretical framework developed and the tenets of social informatics and social constructionism explained in Chapter 2.

This study took a philosophical view of mixed methods research similar to the view of Ridenour and Newmanwho "reject[ed] the [standard] dichotomy" between qualitative and quantitative research methods, believing there to be an "interactive continuum" between the two p. They stated "both paradigms have their own contributions to building a knowledge base" p. xiisuggesting a holistic approach to research design incorporating theory building and theory testing in a self-correcting cycle.

Qualitative methods, Ridenour and Newman argued, should inform the research questions and purpose for quantitative phases, and vice versa; they termed this process an "interactive" one p. Research designs should come from the basis of "the research purpose and the research question" p.

Greene presented a similar argument, stating "a mixed methods way of thinking actively engages with epistemological differences" p. She acknowledged the tensions and contradictions that will exist in such thought, dissertation chapter 3, but believed this would produce the best "conversation" and allow the researcher to learn the most from their study and data p. Creswell and Plano Clark encompassed multiple viewpoints and potential designs in their chapter on choosing a mixed methods design pp.

They considered six prototypical designs: a convergent parallel; b explanatory sequential; dissertation chapter 3 exploratory sequential; d embedded; e transformative; and f multiphase, dissertation chapter 3. The research design for this dissertation study is a variation on a multiphase design incorporating elements of the explanatory sequential and exploratory sequential designs of Creswell and Plano Clark.

Three methods were use for data collection, following the process proposed by Ridenour and Newman and taking the approach to thought suggested by these authors, Creswell and Plano Clarkand Greene The selection of this design and these methods was based on the research purpose discussed in Chapter 1the research questions introduced in section 3.

The methods used were. The holistic combination of these methods, interrelated in a multiphase design, has allowed for dissertation chapter 3 and descriptive research on social digital libraries as boundary objects incorporating the strengths of quantitative and qualitative methods and the viewpoints of multiple perspectives. A sequential, multiphase research design was employed for two reasons. First, each of the methods above required focus on data collection and analysis by the researcher.

Second, dissertation chapter 3, each method built on the methods before it. The design of the survey and interview instruments was influenced by ideas drawn from the literature and theories for the study and by elements of interest uncovered during the content analysis phase.

The interviews focused on gathering further detail on and insight into findings from the survey results and the content analysis. This combination of methods allowed for exploring each case through content analysis, obtaining summary explanatory data through surveys, and then detailed descriptive and explanatory data through the interviews, achieving the benefits of both the exploratory and explanatory research designs presented by Creswell and Plano Clarkpp.

Creswell and Plano Clark expressed caution, noting multiphase research designs often require substantial time, effort, and multi-researcher teams. The three phases used here were not lengthy or intensive enough to cause lengthy delays in the completion of this dissertation.

This is one coherent dissertation study, instead of the long-term, multi-project research program Creswell and Plano Clark cite as the prototypical multiphase design. While it was known in advance this would not be the speediest dissertation research project, using a sequential design allowed for the results from each phase to emerge as the research proceeded, instead of having to wait for all phases to complete as in a concurrent design.

A complete and insightful picture of the findings and conclusions of the dissertation came within a reasonable amount of time and with a good level of effort.

Content analysis has been defined as "a technique for making replicable and valid inferences from texts or other meaningful matter to the contexts of their use" Krippendorff, a, p. Early forms of content analysis required objectivity and highly systematic procedures see Holsti,pp. The form of content analysis used in this study considers the meaning and understanding of content to "emerge in the process of a researcher analyzing a text relative to a particular context" Krippendorff, a, p.

Such text or content may have multiple, socially constructed meanings, speaking to more "than the given texts" p. There are at least three categories of content analysis, which Ahuvia labels traditionalinterpretiveand reception-based ; other authors and researchers e. Babbie,p. Early content analysis was purely objective and generated quantitative summaries and enumerations of manifest content, but qualitative and latent analysis have found greater acceptance over time Ahuvia, ; Holsti,pp.

This study used the interpretive approach and focused coding on the latent content—the underlying meaning—of the data gathered.

Doctoral Dissertation Chapter 3

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Chapter 3 Dissertation Outline

Why the site was chosen What time and resources are required What will be accomplished at the site What potential there is for your presence to be disruptive What individuals at the site will gain from the study How you will use and report the results Creswell, J. W. (). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating Chapter 3 – Methodology (example) Introduction The current chapter presents the process of developing the research methods needed to complete the experimentation portion of the current study. The chapter will discuss in detail the various stages of developing the methodology of the current study. This includes a detailed May 11,  · Chapter 3 – Dissertation Methodology (example) Introduction. The current chapter presents developing the research methods needed to complete the experimentation Selecting an Appropriate Research Approach. Creswall () stated that research approaches are plans and procedures Justifying the Estimated Reading Time: 12 mins