Hi everyone,
My study is a mixed methods (Quant Qual) thesis (dissertation). I have separate chapters for data analysis and discussion. Is it appropriate to use qualitative comments from the Qual data in the discussion chapter without analysing the Qual data in the data analysis chapter? What would be your opinion if you are examining such a thesis?
Thanks
Ehtasham,
It's not conventional - but I have seen it before. Let's assume that while you have not analysed your qualitative data yet - you have collected the data and you might have transcribed it already. That would mean that you already have a good idea of what 'general' outcomes there might be. If you are writing the discussion chapter without having done at least these things - then that would perhaps not be a wise thing to do. If you do have a reasonable idea of what the outcomes are likely to be - you might have spotted something of note that isn't going to be in the outcomes - but is very note-worthy. Those types of things make for an interesting discussion chapter - rather than just stating if your findings resonate with other study findings or not. That said, if you are wanting to write about general outcomes (let's call them 'loose themes') before you have analysed the data - then that is again not a good idea.
The attached chapters may assist.
Ehtasham,
It's not conventional - but I have seen it before. Let's assume that while you have not analysed your qualitative data yet - you have collected the data and you might have transcribed it already. That would mean that you already have a good idea of what 'general' outcomes there might be. If you are writing the discussion chapter without having done at least these things - then that would perhaps not be a wise thing to do. If you do have a reasonable idea of what the outcomes are likely to be - you might have spotted something of note that isn't going to be in the outcomes - but is very note-worthy. Those types of things make for an interesting discussion chapter - rather than just stating if your findings resonate with other study findings or not. That said, if you are wanting to write about general outcomes (let's call them 'loose themes') before you have analysed the data - then that is again not a good idea.
The attached chapters may assist.
That is really great to know as it resolved all my confusion. Thank you so much for the advice and attaching the chapters; these will surely help me to revisit my methodology chapter. Highly obliged,
EG.
The following papers/source on discussion chapter should also be helpful:
- Assan, J. (2009) Writing the Conclusion Chapter: the Good, the Bad and the Missing, Development Studies Association Annual Postgraduate Workshop, University of East Anglia (UEA), Norwich, UK: University of Liverpool, pp. 1-8. https://www.academia.edu/9574958/Writing_the_Conclusion_Chapter_the_Good_the_Bad_and_the_Missing.
- Trafford, V., Leshem, S. and Bitzer, E. (2014). Conclusion chapters in doctoral theses: some international findings. Higher Education Review, 46, 3, pp. 52-81.
- Perry, C. (1998). A structured approach to presenting phd theses: notes for candidates and their supervisors. Australasian Marketing Journal, 6, 1, pp. 63-86.
- Conclusion chapter of PhD thesis: https://www.researchgate.net/post/Conclusion_chapter_of_PhD_thesis
To add to Dean's very informative comment: In so doing be sure to indicate that this data is a direct comment for example tabbed and in inverted commas "" and referenced as per source. Be sure that this information adds to the text and is meaningful.
Thank you so much Kenneth and Glen.
Highly obliged for the attached documents and advice.
Not conventional and you can make a stronger point by combining these chapters and use these comments to subsequently analyse and make your point.
Best
Roland
It depends on the analytical tool you are using, for example, INVIVO9 can at a glance give you summary of the comments without you having to analyse it per sey.
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