Assessing a dissertation’s level of rigor is crucial to guaranteeing the validity, dependability, and scholarly integrity of the findings. The methodology directs the research design, data gathering, and analytic procedures and acts as the study’s blueprint. In addition to being in line with the research topics, the robustness of dissertation methodologies also shows a deep comprehension of theoretical frameworks and ethical issues.
Crucial elements also include overcoming limits, guaranteeing authenticity and trustworthiness, and upholding openness. Researchers may make significant contributions to their fields of study and improve the caliber and effect of their dissertations by closely evaluating these factors. This post offers a thorough framework for assessing a dissertation’s rigor and ensuring it adheres to the highest academic research standards for students’ dissertation help.
Importance of a Method Section in a Dissertation
One of the first sections prepared throughout the dissertation drafting is usually the Methods section, frequently regarded as the most simple and tangible portion of a dissertation.
A thorough description of the methods and strategies employed to carry out the investigation is given in this chapter. However, assessing dissertation methodology is a crucial part of the dissertation since it enables the reader to evaluate the dependability and validity of the research techniques used.
The Methodology chapter of a dissertation is primarily read by the student’s committee members and other academic researchers interested in the specific procedures and tools used to gather and analyze the data, much as the Methods section of a journal article is directed toward experts in the field.
What Does Methodology Include?
Let’s summarize what, in a more succinct format, your dissertation methodology section needs to contain:
Rephrase the research topic or questions:
Demonstrating that your approach is acceptable for addressing the research topic or questions you stated at the beginning is the key to proving its suitability. For dissertation methodology writing help this initial step is crucial. The main issues you hope to answer should be briefly summarized in your methodology section. This doesn’t have to be a reiteration of the problem; instead, you may reword it such that it links to the sections on your methodology and literature review.
An explanation of the Research design
Although it forms the core of the approach, this is not a methodology in and of itself. This section ought to be sufficiently explicit and thorough for another academic to read it, apply it in some way, and use it outside of your dissertation. Your reader should be able to apply your theory to another text or topic if you’re providing a fresh theoretical interpretation of a literary work or a philosophical quandary. If you are writing about a scientific experiment, make sure your reader has all the information they need to do the same experiment in a lab.
(helpwithdissertation,2024)
Justification for methodological decisions:
Describe your reasoning for choosing this specific strategy and how you think it will provide the most illuminating findings, persuasive analyses, or fresh viewpoints. This justification, which presents your methodological choices as well-informed and firmly rooted in solid scholarship, will partially draw from your literature study. It should ideally also highlight your originality and inventiveness.
You must link the reasoning behind your selected methodology to the current research issue. Make it very evident to your reader that the approach you have chosen is a deliberate and specialized reaction to the particular concerns you seek to address.
(Hennessy, E.A., Johnson, B.T. and Keenan, C., 2019.)
Limitations of the Research:
Every research methodology has its drawbacks, and the strategy you’ve chosen probably has some of its own. For example, you could have chosen to conduct a small-scale series of interviews because you value the detailed, unique viewpoints that each of your interviewees has on the issue more than you would have from a bigger dataset of answers to the same subject. But by making this choice, you’ve forfeited a quantitative strategy that would have produced some very significant findings of its own.
Be forthright and truthful about the shortcomings of your selected approach, without feeling sorry for yourself. Prepare an argument for why, despite these trade-offs, this is the best course of action to take to answer your particular research questions and objectives.
Additional Components of a Rigorous Dissertation Methodology
Strict adherence to the methodology serves to bolster the study’s results while also elevating the overall caliber and legitimacy of the output. Here are some of the essential elements of a strict dissertation methodology despite the main components that are already explained:
Selection of Participants and Sampling
The procedure for selecting participants and the sample strategy should be adequately explained and supported. For instance, for qualitative research, the sample size should be sufficient to guarantee statistical power or to offer a suitable level of knowledge.
Procedures for Gathering Data
It is important to provide a detailed explanation of the data-gathering processes, including the particular tools or techniques utilized.
Methods of Data Analysis
The methods used for data analysis should make sense given the study questions and the kind of data that was gathered. The statistical analyses for quantitative research should be carefully chosen and carried out, paying close attention to presumptions and possible constraints. The methods used for data analysis in qualitative investigations, such as theme analysis, coding, or other pertinent qualitative approaches, should be transparent and methodical.
Keep Validity and Reliability in Mind
Whatever the study approach, validity and reliability concerns should be included in the dissertation. In the case of quantitative research, this may entail talking about measurement reliability as well as internal and external validity.
Conclusion:
Your dissertation approach looks to be well-designed and rigorous based on the examination. Your methodology is strong overall because of the well-defined research objectives, suitable study design, reliable data collecting and analysis techniques, focus on validity and reliability, and awareness of ethical and practical considerations. Your dissertation is positioned to significantly advance the discipline with this strong foundation.
References:
- HWD. 2024. How to Choose the Best Research Methodology for Your Study. Available at < https://www.helpwithdissertation.co.uk/blog/how-to-choose-best-research-methodology/ >
- Hennessy, E.A., Johnson, B.T. and Keenan, C., 2019. Available at < https://iaap-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/aphw.12169 >
