Health Professions Division Dissertation Guide

38 Data Analysis The thematic analysis process is explicitly and methodically described and based on the research tradition used. Trustworthiness and Integrity Criteria for trustworthiness (rigor) of the data and analysis, including credibility, dependability, confirmability, transferability, and authenticity are addressed in this section. The explanation of confirmability should include how the candidate will (or did) carry out the member checks. The discussion should include how they apply and how they will be (or were) assured. Strengths and Limitations of the Research Design The candidate should discuss the strengths of qualitative research, such as the collection of data in naturalistic settings, rich description of complex phenomena as they are situated in local contexts, understanding of participants’ personal meanings and experiences of phenomena being studied, and the ability to study phenomena in depth. The candidate will also discuss the limitations of a qualitative study, such as the inability to generalize the findings, which restricts the truthfulness of the study. Another limitation is that participants may fear repercussions of their open dialogue about their behavior. Other limitations will be specific to the study. This section will be in Chapter 3 for the proposal and then be moved to Chapter 5 when the study is completed. In a written or oral defense of the proposal, candidates should be prepared to defend the strengths and limitations of the chosen research design. Chapter Summary The summary of the chapter is brief. Succinctly review the chapter in no more than two paragraphs. Chapter 4: Findings Each chapter starts on a new page. Use level one headings and subheadings as need to present the findings and results. Use the past tense to discuss your findings. Use the present tense to explain tables and figures. Chapter 4: Findings In Chapter 3, the candidate laid out a plan for deconstruction and reconstruction of the data. In Chapter 4, the candidate explains the outcomes discovered through the process. Logical explanation of the findings is divided by means of subheadings appropriate for the content of the study and the qualitative method that was employed. The findings may be organized by the themes of the data or by participant among other organizational strategies. Chapter 5: Discussion Each chapter starts on a new page. Examples of possible level one and level two headings are listed. Make any adjustments to fit your study. Use the past tense when referring to