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Pitfalls in data collection and

analysisWhat goes wrong?

The overview – three ways to say the same thing…

• Lack of internal consistency – purpose isn’t met by design, instruments or methods won’t result in answers to the question

OR – a+ b can’t add up to c

• Not enough data or those that you have are not convincing/credible/ well organized - etc

= No “golden thread” each section has its own focus but does not tie back to the focus of your study

So what goes wrong with data?

•Not enough of it•Not displayed so others

can follow it•“Misses the plot”

Not enough of it

A qualitative problem – Not enough words to code =

weak codes, Leads to unconvincing themes

Part of this is a population/sample problem – not enough makes us wonder….

“What would all the others say?”

Displaying Findings so OthersCan Follow You- Do’s

· Develop and describe the findings of the thesis thoroughly so that you are completely credible to the reader.· Take care to consistently and thoroughly address your aim

and objectives of your study · Keep revising until everything can be explained in simple

terms.· Apply your findings to broader social implications

and make them operational and actionable (especially in social sciences).

Displaying Findings so OthersCan Follow You– Don’t

• Use statistics without being confident that your analysis answers the questions you are asking

• Treat a write-up like a diary, with EVERYTHING in it rather than just what worked or was properly designed.

No “Data Dumps”

“Misses the plot”

Qualitative• Doesn’t answer the question• No clear path from data to results • Leaves us asking questions

Quantitative• Misuse of statistical measures (descriptive,

inferential, comparative, relational what are you using and why?)

• Your reader should not have to understand statistics to understand your findings or results

• Measures used for no apparent reason

Questions?

Don’t be shy – someone else is probably wondering the same thing

Bias Confirmation Bias:In group Bias:Gambler’s Fallacy:Buyer’s Stockholm SyndromeProbability NeglectObservational Selection Bias:Status-Quo Bias:Negativity BiasBandwagon Effect:Projection Bias:The Current Moment Bias:Anchoring Effect:Bias Blind Spot:

http://www.doctoralnet.com/professors-blog/item/413-developing-a-game-about-bias-for-doctoral-orientation.html

Design IssuesResearch Question

Methodology & Data Source

The actual questions you ask

Population Data Analysis

The Right Population is Vitally Important

Sub populations you can get your

hands on

Those who will answer your

questionsAre there enough people of the right type to answer your questions so that when you have analyzed their message they build a credible story?

Greater Population

All who could answer your

questions

Sub populations you can get your

hands on

Those who will answer your

questions

Questions?

Make the most of your time here – ask about anything that relates to doctoral research /writing

Upcoming News/EventsNew Monthly Content in Control Panel for Paying

Members mid this coming week: • Video on normal vs outstanding dissertations• Pdf on argumentation

Upcoming Conferences:

July 28th - What makes for outstanding dissertations and thesis?August 11th - Writing an outstanding introduction to your thesisAugust 25th The golden thread - building internal consistency throughout your dissertation or thesisSeptember 8th- Committees, defense and publishing: The end games

1. We started a forum but so far no-one has used it much: http://www.doctoralnet.com/free-dissertation-thesis-help/doctoral-student-forum2.html

2. Like our Facebook page for contests this month – DNA membership/review of paper + hourly consultation https://www.facebook.com/DoctoralNet