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Exploring the Roles of Faculty Supervision: Improving Qualitative Doctoral Dissertation Methodology. Dan Kaczynski, PhD dkaczyns@uwf.edu. Research Problem. Shifting supervisory roles. More qualitative dissertations. Increasing emphasis on quality. Understand assessment practices
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Exploring the Rolesof Faculty Supervision: Improving Qualitative Doctoral Dissertation Methodology Dan Kaczynski, PhDdkaczyns@uwf.edu
Research Problem Shiftingsupervisoryroles Morequalitativedissertations Increasing emphasison quality Understand assessment practices Strengthen qualitative research skills Develop future researchers
Open Discussion • Do you use technology in your research?
Open Discussion • How should we explore the tensions within and between: • Assessing Quality • Adoption of QDAS
Qualitative Software Kaczynski (2004) http://www.aare.edu.au/04pap/kac041065.pdf NVivo, MAXqda, Atlas ti, QDA Miner, Qualrus, Transana
Identify indicators of quality in a thesis: Identify common errors in a thesis: What does good work look like?
What is Quality? The researchers logic of justification “Flaws in the logic of justification can potentially occur anywhere in the inquiry process. The nature of such flaws and where they occur can jeopardize the soundness of a study in one or more ways.” (Piantanida & Garman 1999, p. 147)
Types of Quality Criteria • Philosophical Criteria (Lincoln, 1995; Lincoln & Guba, 1985) • Procedural Criteria (Creswell, 1998)
Philosophical Criteria(Lincoln & Guba, 1985) • Credibility • Is the work authentic? • Transferability • Will the work fit outside this situation? • Dependability • Is the researcher consistent? • Confirmability • Are interpretations defensible?
Procedural Criteria • Quality of methods (open-ended interviews) • Quality of data (verbatim long transcripts) • Quality of data analysis (comprehensive data treatment) (Silverman, 2004 [Sacks, 1984])
Standardized Procedural Criteria(controversial checklists or guidelines) • Does the title reflect the study focus? • Is the problem socially important? • Is the literature review comprehensive? • Has study conformed to ethics standards? • Are issues of sampling discussed? • Did findings answer the questions? • Was study written convincingly? • Are issues of trustworthiness addressed?
Quantitative and Qualitative Criteriafor Assessing Research Quality and Rigor • Anfara, V. A., Brown, K. M., & Mangione, T. L. (2002) p. 30
Transparent Assessment • Explore rich diversity of meanings • Sensitized appreciation of worth • Deeper assessment of analysis • Multiple paths to look inside • Transparency strengthens credibility
Findings: TechnologyTools Used in Assessment • 52% (None) • 30% (Not applicable) • 17% NVivo • 4% InfoRapid
Findings: ResourcesConsulted for Expertise 83% Others 70% Publications 30% Conferenceworkshops 22% Campusworkshops 13% Continuingeducation
Findings: Conceptualizationsof Quality (cont.) AI: Alternative interpretations CE: Consideration of ethical issues AG: Ability to generalize findings HC: Hierarchical code structure MC: Member-checking MS: Memos AT: Methodological audit trail PD: Peer debriefing PF: Prolonged field engagement AS: Qualitative data analysis software RO: Researcher objectivity SS: Sampling strategies SD: Self-disclosure SC: Social context TO: Theoretical orientation TN: Triangulation VY: Validity
Stage 2 Findings: Critical Needs • Building knowledge and skills • Moving beyond superficial assessment • Significance of researcher transparency • Teaching students to self-assess • Building a community of practice • Strengthening qualitative research skills • Sharing assessment strategies • Engaging in professional development
Study Findings • Highly favorable attitudes toward qualitative research • Diverse conceptualizations of quality • Need for alternative assessment frameworks • Need and desire to strengthen knowledge and skills • Need for professional development
Future Challenges • Progressing research methods Mixed → Blended → Integrated • Emerging research innovations • mainstream adoption of QDAS • Positioning quality research standards
Future Research Questions • What does it mean to disclose or conceal the role of technology? • Does nondisclosure of analysis software imply the presumption that the use of technology is ubiquitous and commonly accepted? • Does nondisclosure of QDAS suggest a student’s fear of the supervisor’s acceptance or sanctioning? • In what ways and under what conditions does a technological tool become a barrier to the learning process for the teacher and the learner?