Chapter 4 Considerations

Topic 1: Chapter 4
 How do you organize your chapter?
 Your chapter needs to be organized in a way that answers your research
questions. The information must be organized in a way that is logical and
easy to follow for your reader.
 You may describe your sample here if this is something that
emerged from your data collection and analysis or if you believe it
helps provide context for your findings. You may also describe your
sample in chapter 3 if it is not a part of your findings and it
becomes a distraction from your actual findings.
 You may organize your chapter in terms of themes or categories or
cases or research questions.
 Use of pseudonyms
 When presenting qualitative data, all names are masked to provide
confidentiality. You made this commitment to your participants during the
consent process and in your IRB application.
 Use of tables, charts, figures
 You may use tables, charts, or figures in both qualitative and quantitative
capstones.
 Never present a table, chart, or figure that you are not planning on
explaining.
 Tables, charts, and figures should be able to be interpreted without
supporting text BUT
 It is your responsibility to tell your reader what you think is the
most important information in the table, chart, or figure.
 When do you use a table, chart, or figure
 In qualitative research, when providing quantitative data that compares
different cases or different populations, or different members of a given
population. When you have information that is hard to grasp only in text
and the reader will have greater insight by seeing it displayed in more
than one format.
 Descriptive statistics
 In quantitative research, when presenting important results.
 Consult APA to ensure that you use the appropriate format for tables,
charts, and figures.
You will want to consider what information goes in an appendix as opposed to in the
body of the chapter. For example, if you have extra tables representing results that you
think are worth sharing with your reader but are not the main substance of your
dissertation, you should consider creating an appendix. Similarly, if you have other
relevant but not essential information, you should consider adding an appendix. And
finally, you may decide to locate the instruments you used for data collection in an
appendix.

You may be wondering about any of the following things as you are writing your
Chapter 4. Some students worry about the following things:

 What if I don’t have any significant findings?

 In qualitative research there is never a risk of finishing without something
worth reporting. Qualitative research is about understanding an
experience and gaining insight. It is always the case that the data will
provide insight into an experience.
 What if I find something for which I do not have a research question?
 If the finding is substantial enough to warrant reporting, you develop a
research question that aligns to the finding.3
 Under what circumstances do I revise my research questions?
 Qualitative research questions can and often should be revised up until the
dissertation is completed. The research questions match the findings, not
the other way around.
Presenting Results (Quantitative)
Topic 1: Chapter 4
How do you present your results (quantitative)?

In a quantitative dissertation or capstone you will be presenting your results. You

may present your results with or without a discussion explaining what those results
mean. You will want to consult your chair to make sure you are following the approach
preferred by your chair. Thus, your chapter 4 may include the following:

 Introduction
 Results
 Discussion
First you should remind your reader what your research question(s) is/are. Your
results should then be presented in response to your research question(s). Your results
are the “solution(s)” or “answer(s)” to that/those questions.
Example: Nollner Dissertation, p. 58
Your results should focus only on data that enables you to answer your
research questions, not simply raw data.
If you are also providing a discussion of the results in this section, your discussion
should be related back to your conceptual framework.

Presenting Findings (Qualitative)

Topic 1: Chapter 4
How do you present your findings (qualitative)?

When crafting your findings, the first thing you want to think about is how you
will organize your findings. Your findings represent the story you are going to tell
in response to the research questions you have answered. Thus, you will want to
organize that story in a way that makes sense to you and will make sense to your
reader. You want to think about how you will present the findings so that they are
compelling and responsive to the research question(s) you answered. These questions
may not be the questions you set out to answer but they will definitely be the questions
you answered. You may discover that the best way to organize the findings is first by
research question and second by theme. There may be other formats that are better for
telling your story. Once you have decided how you want to organize the findings, you
will start the chapter by reminding your reader of the research questions. You will need
to differentiate between is presenting raw data and using data as evidence or examples
to support the findings you have identified. Here are some points to consider:

 Your findings should provide sufficient evidence from your data to support
the conclusions you have made. Evidence takes the form of quotations from
interviews and excerpts from observations and documents.
 Ethically you have to make sure you have confidence in your findings and
account for counter-evidence (evidence that contradicts your primary finding)
and not report something that does not have sufficient evidence to back it up.
 Your findings should be related back to your conceptual framework.
 Your findings should be in response to the problem presented (as defined by
the research questions) and should be the “solution” or “answer” to those
questions.
 You should focus on data that enables you to answer your research questions,
not simply on offering raw data.
 Qualitative research presents “best examples” of raw data to demonstrate
an analytic point, not simply to display data.
 Numbers (descriptive statistics) help your reader understand how prevalent
or typical a finding is. Numbers are helpful and should not be avoided simply
because this is a qualitative dissertation.
Example Martinez-Kellar Dissertation, p. 140-144 (Individual Leader Element: Leader
Creativity)
Recommended Resources and Readings
Topic 1: Chapter 4
Online Resources
Keywords Searches:

Recommended Readings are all from texts used in Inquiry II:

Merriam, S. B. (2009). Chapter 10: Writing qualitative research reports. Qualitative
research: A
guide to design and implementation (pp. 237-264). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Glesne, C. (2011). Chapter 8: Crafting your story: Writing up qualitative data.
In Becoming
qualitative researchers: An introduction (4th ed.) (pp. 218-240). Boston: Pearson.

Chapter 4: Presentation of Data

In any research or analytical endeavor, the presentation of data is crucial for conveying findings
effectively. It involves transforming raw data into understandable and meaningful information
through various visual and textual representations. This chapter focuses on the methods and
techniques used to present data in a clear and concise manner, facilitating comprehension and
interpretation by the audience.

1. Data Visualization:

 Charts and Graphs: Utilize a variety of charts and graphs such as bar charts, line graphs,
pie charts, scatter plots, etc., to visually represent data.
 Choose the appropriate type of visualization based on the nature of the data and the
message you want to convey.
 Ensure clarity and accuracy in labeling, scaling, and presentation to avoid
misinterpretation.

2. Tables:

 Present data in tabular form when precise numerical values are important.
 Organize data into rows and columns, with clear headings and appropriate formatting for
easy comprehension.
 Highlight significant findings or trends within the table to draw attention to key points.

3. Infographics:

 Combine text, visuals, and data to create visually appealing and informative infographics.
 Use icons, symbols, and other graphical elements to enhance understanding and retention
of information.
 Design infographics with a clear hierarchy of information, guiding the audience through
the data effectively.

4. Narrative Description:

 Provide a written narrative alongside visual representations to offer context and

explanation.
 Interpret the data, highlighting key insights, trends, and implications.
 Use clear and concise language to convey complex information effectively.

5. Interactive Presentations:
  Leverage interactive tools and technologies to engage the audience and facilitate
exploration of the data.
 Incorporate interactive charts, maps, and dashboards to allow users to manipulate and
analyze the data in real-time.
 Enable collaboration and feedback mechanisms to encourage participation and enhance
understanding.

6. Considerations for Effective Presentation:

 Know your audience and tailor the presentation to their level of expertise and interest.
 Maintain consistency in formatting and design elements to ensure coherence and
professionalism.
 Practice effective storytelling techniques to engage the audience and communicate the
narrative behind the data.

7. Ethical Considerations:

 Ensure accuracy and integrity in the presentation of data, avoiding manipulation or

distortion.
 Respect confidentiality and privacy rights when handling sensitive data.
 Provide proper attribution for sources and acknowledge contributions from collaborators
or participants.

Conclusion: Effective presentation of data is essential for communicating research findings,

informing decision-making, and driving action. By utilizing a combination of visual and textual
techniques, researchers can enhance understanding, facilitate interpretation, and inspire
meaningful engagement with the data. It is crucial to prioritize clarity, accuracy, and ethical
considerations in all aspects of data presentation to maintain credibility and trustworthiness.