Completing Your Qualitative Dissertation: A Roadmap From Beginning to End

Completing your Qualitative Dissertation fills an important gap in the qualitative research literature by specifically addressing the fast-growing practice of qualitative postgraduate dissertations in colleges and universities throughout the world. Many students struggle to complete qualitative research projects because the research itself is inherently messy. To address this challenge the authors have distilled decades of experience into a first-of-its-kind, highly practical reference for graduate students. At the heart of the book is a series of chapters that models the typical progression of a dissertation. Each chapter is illustrated by examples that give the reader an understanding of what the actual write-up would look like. Emphasis throughout the book is on conceptual understanding as it relates to the practical aspects involved in navigating the dissertation process.

Table of Contents:
List of Tables List of Figures List of Appendices Foreword Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Part I. Taking Charge of Yourself and Your Work Part II. Content and Process: A Chapter-By-Chapter Roadmap 1. Introduction To Your Study 2. Developing and Presenting the Literature Review 3. Presenting Methodology and Research Approach 4. Analyzing Data and Reporting Findings 5. Analyzing and Interpreting Findings 6. Drawing Sound Conclusions and Presenting Actionable Recommendations Part III. Nearing Completion: Some Final Considerations Afterword References Appendices Author Index Subject Index

About the Author :
Dr. Linda Bloomberg is a cofounder of Columbia University’s Global Learning and Leadership Institute, and previously served as senior researcher for the South African Human Sciences Research Council and National Institute for Personnel Research, focusing on change management, diversity initiatives, and workplace learning. For the past two decades she has served as dissertation chair and subject matter expert in doctoral programs where she also develops curriculum for graduate research courses. Linda consults to numerous research and nonprofit advisory boards, including the Future Talent Council, Global Advisory Board for Faculty and Staff Development, Mentor in Residence for SAGE Publications, and educational blog contributor to Teachers College Publications. She presents regularly at national and international professional conferences on topics related to qualitative research, online learning, and professional development for online pedagogy, and is the author of multiple publications in the fields of qualitative research, organizational evaluation, leadership development, ensuring equitable student success, adult learning, and distance education, and a contributor to The Sage Encyclopedia of Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation (2018). Her two most recent books include the 5th edition of Completing your Qualitative Dissertation: A Road Map From Beginning to End (2023) published by SAGE and Designing and Delivering Effective Online Instruction: How to Engage Adult Learners (2021) published by Teachers College Press, Columbia University. The latter publication was nominated for the 2021 and 2022 Division of Distance Learning for the Association of Educational Communications and Technology and for the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) award for Excellence in Instructional and Teaching Practice (2024). Dr. Bloomberg holds master’s degrees in counseling psychology, organizational psychology, and adult education. In 2006, she completed her doctorate in adult education and organizational learning at Columbia University.  In 2021 she received a diploma in executive coaching from the Goizueta Business School, Emory University, and is qualified as an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF). Marie Volpe is adjunct faculty in adult learning and leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she teaches dissertation seminars and serves as advisor to doctoral candidates. She conducts workshops for teachers in Mongolia and lectures on qualitative research methods at Suzhou University, China. After a career spanning thirty-five years with Exxon Corporation, where she held the position of manager of education and development, Dr. Volpe embarked on a second career in higher education, in which she has practiced for the past twenty years. She has contributed to publications in the areas of staff development and informal learning in the workplace. She received her master’s in organizational psychology and doctorate in adult education from Columbia University.