Promoting Dissertation Quality: Making Qualitative Methodology Transparent Through Technology

• In Event: Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Improving the Doctoral Experience

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between technology and high quality dissertation research. The adoption and use of qualitative data analysis software (QDAS) by doctoral students was studied in three stages extending over five years, in the United States and Australia, as well as training experiences from 20 international data analysis workshops and doctoral supervision practices. Findings from the study relate to two significant barriers to acceptance which doctoral students confront; 1) aligning perceptions in ease of use and usefulness is essential in overcoming resistance to technological change and, 2) transparency identified through the technology promotes insights into critical methodological challenges. Findings support international efforts in promoting reforms in educational research training and supervision.

Authors

• Dan Kaczynski, Central Michigan University

• Michelle Salmona, Australian National University