The main aim of the methodology is to provide a detailed description of the reasons behind the methods used for a dissertation. No matter what field you study, the main purpose of the methodology chapter is a common one for any type of research papers. It should enable a reader to determine the following:
- research methods;
- the theoretical rationale for selecting specific research methods.
The subsequent studies will provide you with a bit more insight into the structure of your methodology and the information that it should contain.
1. The Methodology Example of a Dissertation on Feminism
The aim of this study is to determine the effects that feminist perspectives have on influencing the leadership roles of female administrators in higher education.
This dissertation uses a qualitative method referred to as ‘phenomenology.’ The main purpose of this research method is to gain an understanding of how female leaders and feminists arrive at their collective world views. Since the study is concerned with feminism, the chosen methods of analysis are designed to evaluate the experiences of women.
Semi-structured interviews are used as a method of data collection. It is important to mention that the researcher doesn’t simply intend to gain the information from women, but from a certain type of woman who hold a specific set of beliefs. Therefore, they had to fulfil the following criteria:
- belong to feminists;
- refer themselves to the generation X (born between 1965-1982);
- employed as mid-level administrators and desire to gain a higher-level position.
The women are strategically selected from guests invited to a program designed for women with goals to become senior leaders. Prior to using these women as participants for the study, they were asked questions to determine whether they fulfilled the above criteria.
2. The Methodology Example of a Dissertation on Education
The aim of the study is to gain an understanding of how students engaged and participated in educational activity, and their personal reasons for desiring to enhance their learning capacity.
The methods utilized for this dissertation are a combination of interviews and surveys to know the motivations attached to the student’s decisions to continue with the learning for life program. An idiographic approach is used for the interview portion of the study. It focuses on the individual as opposed to using the results from a few participants to generalize about an entire group. Surveys are used as a method of quantifying and standardizing the way in which students take part in educational activities. The aim is to make a comparison between educational and non-educational activities among teenagers.
Both methods provide an in-depth analysis of the reasons why students participate in educational activities and why such activities are important for them in terms of personal development and enhancing their ability to become productive members of society.
3. The Methodology Example of a Dissertation on ESL Learners
The aim of the study is to establish the effect of form and meaning focused input on ESL writing skills, and what challenges related to instructions that learners can encounter.
Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are used to achieve the aim. Qualitative research methodology involves selecting a sample population that would represent a defined population. As a result, 20 students are selected to represent a population of students who are supposed to be ESL learners and first year medical students. The results from the quantitative research indicates mainly descriptive methods to describe behaviour of a sample population.
Both research methods allow to highlight the current issues among ESL medical students through a process of data collection about their performance and acquisition of academic writing skills.
Now that you understand the fundamental principles for the methodology chapter, it’s time to burn the midnight oil and start working on your dissertation. Be sure to allocate sufficient time to this important section of your research project. Otherwise, you risk not to achieve the desired results. But if you still have a feeling of uncertainty about this type of work, it is much better to to seek professional help and support in it. Our specialists are those who direct you quickly to academic success. Don’t hesitate to contact us – we open around the clock for you.