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PPTDevelopinganAlignedResearchStudy-Student.pptxDeveloping an aligned research study
Walden University Academic Residencies
PhD Residency 3
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Session Learning Objectives
Recognize the concept of alignment in a research study
Develop research components that are aligned across research problem, research questions, data collection, and data analysis
Evaluate the alignment of your initial research ideas
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Session Overview
What we will Cover Today
What is alignment?
Why is alignment important in designing research?
Examples of research problem-question-method alignment
Practice examples to fix “misalignments”
Alignment Audit Exercise
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Dissertation Chapters
Research Methods Framework
Just as the joints, organs, muscles, fascia, and skin of the body work well together when the bones/skeleton are properly “aligned” (connected, interrelated, coordinated), the workings of the dissertation and the research process have an underlying skeleton or framework that support the content.
The Magic of Alignment
What is Alignment?
Common language definition (Merriam-Webster)
To arrange things so that they form a line or are in proper position
To change (something) so that it agrees with or matches something else
Alignment of a Research Study
Organize the components of the research study so that:
Each component has a cohesive purpose
Each component’s concepts and procedures agrees with, supports, or expands the preceding and subsequent components
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Alignment as a Minimum Standard
Dissertation Minimum Standards Rubric
Found on Office of Research and Doctoral Services website
“The problem statement, purpose, research question and/or hypotheses, design, and methodology are consistent and aligned.”
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Research design alignment table
| Research Problem, Purpose, and Framework Provide one sentence for each. These must align with all rows. | Research Question(s), Method, & Design List one or more RQs, as needed; select method; identify design. Use a separate form for additional RQs. | Data Collection Tools & Data Sources List the instrument(s) and people, artifacts, or records that will provide the data for each RQ. | Data Points List the variables, specific interview questions, scales, etc. that will be used for each RQ. | Data Analysis Briefly describe the statistical or qualitative analysis that will address each RQ. |
| Problem: Replace text with response. Purpose: Replace text with response. Framework: Replace text with response. | RQ1: Replace text with response. Method: Choose method Design: Replace text with response. | Replace text with response. | Replace text with response. | Replace text with response. |
| RQ2: Replace text with response. Method: Choose method Design: Replace text with response. | Replace text with response. | Replace text with response. | Replace text with response. | |
| RQ3: Replace text with response. Method: Choose method Design: Replace text with response. | Replace text with response. | Replace text with response. | Replace text with response. |
Note. The information in the first column must align with all rows, and each individual RQ row must show alignment across the columns for that row.
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What is Misalignment?
When one or more of the research study components ….
Disagrees with
Diverts from
Has inconsistent language with
…the preceding and subsequent components.
Examples of How Misalignments Occur
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When a research problem is poorly formulated
When the research method is not appropriate for the research question
When the author is not familiar with the elements and limitations of the research design
Refer to handout “Alignment Scenarios.”
Read through each scenario.
For each research component, decide if it “aligns” or “does not align.”
Literature Review – Research Problem
Research Problem-Research Question
Research Question – Hypothesis
Hypothesis – Research Design
Discuss why it does or does not align.
Activity #1: Alignment Scenarios
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Scenario 1
Maribel was interested in how eating disorders in college students affects the 1st- year adjustment experience. She discovered considerable literature describing this problem and how it’s treated, and considerable literature on individual differences (e.g., locus of control, social anxiety) identified in students who suffered from this disorder. There was not much literature on the effect of this disorder on adjustment to the 1st year of college.
Research Problem 1: What is missing from the literature is an understanding of how individual differences (e.g., locus of control, social anxiety) affect adjustment to the 1st year of college in students suffering from eating disorders.
Research Problem 2: What is missing from the literature is research on how group therapy decreases social anxiety in 1st-year college students.
Research Problem 3: What is missing from the literature is a better understanding of how eating disorders are identified in 1st-year college students.
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Scenario 2
Research Problem: What is missing from the literature is an understanding of how individual differences (e.g., locus of control, social anxiety) affect adjustment to the first year of college in students suffering from eating disorders.
RQ1: What is the experience of adjusting to college in 1st-year students with eating disorders?
RQ2: What factors predict the severity of eating disorders in 1st-year college students?
RQ3: What is the difference in adjustment to college between 1st-year college students with eating disorders on internal and external locus of control?
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Scenario 3
RQ: What is the difference in adjustment to college between students with eating disorders on internal and external locus of control?
Ho1: There is no difference in adjustment to college between internal and external locus of control reported by 1st-year students with eating disorders.
Ho2: Locus of control and adjustment disorder does not predict eating disorders in 1st-year students with eating disorders.
Ho3: Locus of control does not tell us why students have adjustment problems.
Scenario 4
HO: There is no difference in adjustment to college between internal and external locus of control reported by 1st-year students with eating disorders.
Design 1: A nonexperimental ex-post facto design is proposed to answer the research question.
Design 2: A case study approach is proposed to answer the research question.
Design 3: An experimental design is proposed to answer the research question.
Align the choices you make in each step in the development of your study with decisions you have already made about your study.
Make sure your research questions is appropriate for and consistent with the specific problem and research problem you have identified.
Make sure your methods (sampling, design, data collection, analysis plan) are consistent with your research questions.
How Do I Avoid Misalignment?
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What problems result from misalignment?
Weak methodological rigor
Inaccurate or inappropriate results that will not answer your research questions
A poorly completed prospectus, proposal or dissertation may not be approved by your chair, committee, and/or URR
Delays in moving forward with your dissertation research
Activity #2: Alignment Audit Exercise
Using the Research Alignment Table from the Prospectus Form complete Part 1 of the Alignment Audit Exercise
Self-Assessment of Study Elements and Alignment
Social Problem
Research Problem
Research Question
Research Methods
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Activity #2: Alignment Audit Exercise
Complete Part 2 of the Alignment Audit Exercise
Peer Reviewer Feedback
Social Problem
Research Problem
Research Question
Research Methods
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Activity #2: Alignment Audit Exercise
Complete Part 3 of the Alignment Audit Exercise
Revisions After Peer Reviewer Feedback
Social Problem
Research Problem
Research Question
Research Methods
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Questions?
Take 2 minutes right now to reflect on what you learned from this session.
Write down notes for your Journal assignment:
Application to my Dissertation Prospectus and Proposal
Resources I will need
Next steps/questions I need to answer for my dissertation
Final Assignment
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