This week, you will begin thinking carefully about a possible methodology (qualitative or quantitative research) and research design to examine and address an educational research problem. Once you have made your methodology selection, you will move a step deeper to situate the proposed study appropriately by selecting a specific quantitative design or qualitative design (sometimes called a qualitative tradition or genre). You will also be required to provide a clear rationale and justification for all your choices.

1. Use the following prompts to develop an essay: a. Start out by discussing your choice of the qualitative or

quantitative research methodology and how and why this aligns with your problem, purpose and research questions. Explain and justify your choice of either a quantitative or qualitative methodology. Be sure to support your argument for the proposed study methodology with appropriate scholarly sources. (1 paragraph)

b. Describe and explain the 3-5 key features of the methodology you have selected (qualitative or quantitative). (1-2 paragraphs)

c. Justify your choice of methodology. Explain why your methodology choice is best suited for your proposed study, and how this choice aligns with the purpose and research questions that you have created to accomplish the study goals. Include a rationalization why another methodology would not be appropriate. (1 paragraph)

d. Address the following: If you are using qualitative methodology, explain how the four elements of trustworthiness will be addressed. If you choose quantitative methodology, explain how you plan to ensure that validity and reliability will be supported. (1-2 paragraphs)

e. Select one of the NCU alumni dissertations provided in the resources. Review the research design in Chapter 3. Provide your critique:

i. Do you think this is an appropriate methodology and research design? Why or why not?

ii. What, if at all, may you have done differently in selecting a research methodology or design? Remember, in academia scholarly critique is welcomed, so we value your perspective.

iii. Be sure to state which dissertation you are referring to. (1 paragraph)

2. Select a specific research design and explain why this is the most appropriate choice to address your research problem, purpose and research questions. Make sure that you consider all reasons for this choice. Be sure to support your argument for the proposed research design with relevant scholarly sources.

a. Describe and explain the 3-5 key features of the research design you have selected. (1-2 paragraphs)

b. Justify your choice of design. Explain why your design choice is optimal for your proposed study, and how this choice aligns with the purpose and research questions that you have created to accomplish the study goals.

c. Explain one or two other possible research design options with reasons why these designs would not be as good a fit for your proposed study as the option you have selected. (1 paragraph)

d. Provide a closing statement in 1-2 paragraphs that explains how the proposed study, based on the methodology and research design you have selected, may inform the field of education or your specific discipline. This portion of the assignment feeds into the study’s theoretical significance and the potential contribution to the field’s knowledge base, which will be refined more fully in the final weeks of the course. As explained right at the beginning of the syllabus, Ph.D. research has a focus on contribution to theory, so in this program you will be conducting a study that contributes to the

broader discipline rather than a specific problem rooted in an applied, professional practice.

3. Remember to incorporate your professor’s Week 2 feedback where you explained the need for your study and made a case for exploring the research problem.

In this assignment, less is not more! While your writing must certainly be focused and concise, relevant details are important and necessary so that your descriptions are not vague or insubstantial. Keep in mind that if any other researcher were to consider replicating your study, they would need to have a very clear understanding of your choices regarding methodology and research design!

Throughout your discussion, as you explain your proposed research methodology and design, be sure to include references to appropriate scholarly literature. In addition to secondary sources, refer to seminal authors and primary sources as necessary.

To address each component of this assignment, be sure to structure your essay clearly using appropriate headings and subheadings. Review the APA publication manual for guidance regarding use of headings and sub-headings.

Length: 4-6 pages, not including title and reference pages

References: Include a minimum of 6 scholarly resources