Professional Documents
Culture Documents
to write
a thesis
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8. Qualitative method: Interviews 26
8.1. Decide on the kind of interview you want to do 26
8.2. Formulate questions to ask interviewees 26
8.2.1. Formulate open questions 26
8.2.2. Formulate concrete questions 27
8.3. Select interviewees 27
8.4. Define length of each interview 27
8.5. Decide on a neutral place for the interview 27
8.6. Plan how you want to communicate during the interview 27
8.6.1. At the start of the interview, communicate your research question to the interviewee 27
8.6.2. Make it clear for the interviewee that you act in the role as interviewer / researcher 27
8.6.3. Ask questions in a non-authoritarian way 28
8.6.4. When asking questions, adapt culturally to the interviewee 28
8.6.5. Listen to what the interviewee is saying 28
8.6.6. React neutrally and as an outsider to answers by the interviewee 28
8.6.7. Make observations during the interview 28
8.6.8. At the end of the interview, ask the interviewee if he/she would like to add anything 28
8.6.9. At the end of the interview, give and receive feedback to / from the interviewee 29
8.7. Transcribe interviews 29
8.7.1. Example of transcription 29
8.7.2. Methods to transcribe interviews 29
8.7.3. Advantages and disadvantages of transcribing interviews 30
8.8. Make categories to analyze interviews 31
8.8.1. Example of category 31
8.8.2. Categories derived according to frequence of words 31
8.8.3. Categories derived according to importance of quotes by interviewees 32
8.8.4. Categories are derived by looking within interview vs. looking across interviews 32
8.8.5. Criteria when defining categories 32
8.9. Contrast opinions of interviewees and explain why opinions are different 32
9. Qualitative method: Observations 33
9.1. What is observed? 33
9.1.1. What happened? What did not happen? 33
9.1.2. Which people were there? Who were involved? 33
9.1.3. Who did what? How did they do it? 33
9.1.4. Who said what? How did they say it? 33
9.1.5. How was the non-verbal communication of the people involved? 33
9.2. Where are observations done? 34
9.2.1. Observations on the Internet 34
9.2.2. Observations in a physical room 34
9.2.3. Observations in a public place 34
9.3. Who is observed? 34
9.3.1. Observation of yourself 34
9.3.2. Observation of others 34
9.4. How are observations done? 34
9.4.1. Participating vs. not-participating observation 34
9.4.2. Structured vs. unstructured observation 35
9.4.3. Open vs. closed observation 35
9.5. When are observations done? 35
9.6. Why are observations done? 35
10. Qualitative method: Delphi method 36
11. Other qualitative methods. Focus on creativity 37
11.1. Brainstorming the classic method 37
11.2. Brainstorming the nominal method 37
11.3. Brainstorming the SCAMPER method 37
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11.4. Brainstorming the Disney method 37
11.5. Six thinking hats 37
11.6. Creativity methods 37
12. Results 38
12.1. Present the results 38
12.2. Reflect critically on the results 38
12.1. Document objectivity 38
12.2. Document reliability 38
12.3. Document validity 39
13. Conclusion and recommendations 40
14. Quotation / citation / referencing / list of references / bibliography 41
14.1. When should you quote / make references / make citations 41
14.2. How should citations / quotations / references be made in the text using APA style? 41
14.2.1. Basic citation styles 41
14.2.2. Citing Twitter in the text 42
14.2.3. Citing YouTube in the text 42
14.2.4. Citing figures, including images, from a webpage 42
14.3. How should citations / quotations / references be made in the text using MLA style? 42
14.4. How should citations / quotations / references be made in the text using Chicago / Turabian style?
42
14.5. How should citations / quotations / references be made in the text using Harvard style? 43
14.6. What should you mention in the list of references / bibliography? 43
14.6.1. Blogs / online articles 43
14.6.2. Twitter post 43
14.6.2. Websites 43
14.6.3. e-books, for example kindle book 43
14.6.4. Print books 44
15. Appendices 45
15.1. Appendices for all types of reports 45
15.2. Additional appendices for reports using quantitative methods 45
15.3. Additional appendices for reports using qualitative methods 45
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1. Research model
1.1. Your question / idea / problem / topic
Define the question / idea / problem you want to know more
about / find solutions to.
Argue for the relevance for users / customers of your work.
Formulate a precise research question.
1.2. Methods
Describe methods you want to use to develop knowledge about /
further explore the idea / problem / topic.
1.3. Theory
Search for theories about the topic.
1.4. Results
Describe results of your research.
Adapted from
http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/viewArticle/967/2110
http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/index.htm
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Search text
Explanation
filetype:pdf
Word1 OR Word2
Word1 NEAR
Word1*
site:.ch
intitle:velocity
define:change
control + F
A search box appears on the page. In the search box, type what
you want to search for on the page to find the information
efficiently.
https://delicious.com/frankcalberg/research
http://www.scribd.com/doc/38882282/Free-Writing
3
http://www.slideshare.net/frankcalberg/learning-strategies-11478939
2
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Results
Example:
Link to relevant blog posting.
Evaluation of results
2.3. Choose a topic / question /idea / problem you find particularly interesting
Questions
What idea / problem do you have?
What makes you curious?
What interests you the most?
What problem do your customers and/or
you have?
How would you describe your idea?
Which example do you have that explains
the problem well?
How did the idea / problem you have get
into your head? Which events led to the
problem?
How did you become interested in this idea
/ problem?
When did you first start thinking about this
idea / problem?
When did you read / hear / see something
that inspired you to study this idea /
problem in more detail?
Where did you first start thinking about this
idea / problem?
Where did you read / hear / see something
that inspired you to study this idea /
problem in more detail?
Answers
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Questions
What happened? What did you observe /
hear / see?
Who played a role to get you started
thinking about this idea / this problem?
A colleague at work?
A friend?
A family member?
An author of an article?
What did the people do to get your started
thinking about this idea / problem?
Why did you start thinking about this idea /
problem?
Why is it important for you to explore this
idea further / to find solutions to this
problem?
How important is this for the future of the
people you care a lot about? Why?
How convinced are you that you can make
this idea happen / that you can solve this
problem?
What, in particular, makes you convinced?
To what extent can you make this the major
focus of your life? How?
To what extent does the idea fit your
values?
What will change when you have developed
this idea / solved this problem?
What information do you need to know
more?
Answers
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2.4. Describe reasons for the question / problem you want to work on
2.4.1. Internal reasons
Personalities
Competencies of people working for the company
Processes of the company
Methods used by the company
Organizational structure
IT systems
Materials used by the company
Technologies that the company uses
Further inspiration
http://www.slideshare.net/frankcalberg/pestel
https://www.scribd.com/doc/34918427/Problem-analysis-methods
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Answers
Further inspiration
http://www.slideshare.net/frankcalberg/what-is-the-company-purpose
http://www.scribd.com/doc/36200010/Questions-to-discover-your-values
3.2. How relevant is this idea / problem / topic for users / customers of your work?
See, for example, https://books.google.com/ngrams
http://web.hbr.org/email/archive/managementtip.php?date=112009
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3.3. Who are the primary customers of your thesis and what do they need?
If you do not have a particular intended audience in mind or if you think that
your research is for everybody, your writing easily becomes too general. 5
Customer of thesis
Need
Business partners /
colleagues
Researchers
Media
The media is most often interested in the news, i.e. what new,
exciting, and surprising things you can say about some businessrelated issue.
Yourself
Keeping users / customers of your work in mind makes it easier to decide how much information
to include and what to leave out.6 In this regard, it may also be helpful for you to approach what
you write with the 20:80 principle in mind. For example, try to focus on the 20% of your content
that is really useful for 80% of the users / readers / customers of your thesis. 7
Some things to discover about your readers / users / customers8:
Who are they?
What do they know and what do they not know?
Why do they care about your problem? What do they really want to know?
What question will your readers be likely to ask?9
5
Eriksson, Pivi & Kovalainen, Anne: Qualitative Methods in Business Research, p. 280-281.
http://www.pomona.edu/academics/departments/biology/academic-program/seniors/additional-information.aspx
7
http://jameshaytonphd.com/the-8020-principle-and-thesis-content/
8
http://www.scribd.com/doc/56785190/Customer-Needs
9
Booth, Wayne C. et. al.: The Craft of Research, p. 173-174.
6
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Research object
Examples:
A team of people.
A department of a company.
A division of a company.
A company.
Place
Examples:
A part of a city.
A city.
A cluster of cities / a region.
A nation.
A continent.
Time
Examples:
The last 2 years.
The next 2 years.
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10
http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/42321299/Tips-to-Increase-Motivation
12
http://complit.fas.harvard.edu/files/complit/files/twenty_tips_for_senior_thesis_writers_revised_august_2012.pdf
11
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13
Eriksson, Pivi & Kovalainen, Anne: Qualitative Methods in Business Research, p. 282.
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Objective.
Scientists let reality speak for itself.
Documented.
Science builds on previous knowledge, what has been found out.
Logical.
Arguments are logical.
Systematic.
You have a plan for how you work.
Public.
The work is published.
Verified.
Various sources prove the results of the work, for example through reviews / feedback.
Reasonable.
What is communicated is common sense.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method
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Qualitative research
Goal
The goal is to explain by classifying features
and to count them them.
Goal
The goal is to understand by having a complete,
detailed description.
Deductive approach
From general principle to specific conclusion.
Inductive approach
From specific examples to general conclusion /
new theories.
Planning approach
Researcher knows clearly in advance what
he/she is looking for.
Experimenting approach
Researcher may only know roughly in advance
what he/she is looking for.
Methods
Examples of methods are surveys and
questionnaires.
Methods
Examples of methods are observations and
interviews.
Objective approach
Seeks precise measurement.
Data is in the form of numbers and statistics.
Subjective approach
Seeks to know what individuals think.
Data is in the form of words, pictures, and/or
objects.
Sources
Atteslander, Peter: Methoden der empirischen Sozialforschung, Seite 200.
http://wilderdom.com/research/QualitativeVersusQuantitativeResearch.html
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Openness
Due to the openness of the method, new facts
can be discovered, and a larger depth in the
questioning of participants can be obtained.
Flexibility
The method is fit to the object of investigation.
Personal interaction
Due to personal interaction, it is possible for the
researcher to further explore assumptions,
reasons, and other background information.
High degree of validity
Due to the not predetermined questioning
process, a high validity can be obtained.
http://imihome.imi.uni-karlsruhe.de/nquantitative_vs_qualitative_methoden_b.html
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Lack of flexibility
By standardizing the research situation, for
example by predetermined questions,
flexibility is constrained. No individualization is
possible.
Subjective results
Compared with quantitative methods, results
derived from qualitative methods are more
subjective.
Relatively time consuming
Doing interviews / workshops / brainstormings
etc. and analyzing results take up more time as
quantitative methods.
Relatively high competency demands of the
researcher
Results are dependent on how competent the
researcher is in asking questions.
http://imihome.imi.uni-karlsruhe.de/nquantitative_vs_qualitative_methoden_b.html
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14
15
http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/viewArticle/967/2110
http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/viewArticle/967/2110
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16
17
http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/viewArticle/967/2110
http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/viewArticle/967/2110
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18
http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/viewArticle/967/2110
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6.3. Compare the theories and choose the one you want to primarily use
Compare advantages and disadvantages of each theory.
An evaluative and critical analysis of the literature includes comparing and contrasting
the perspectives, viewpoints, and arguments that other researchers have taken on
your research topic and your research question.19
Choose which theory you want to primarily use and argue for your decision.
Key points
Book 1
Article 1
19
Eriksson, Pavi & Kovalainen, Anne: Qualitative Methods in Business Research, p. 47.
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Answers
http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2012/05/17/152913171/the-essence-of-science-explained-in-63seconds
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20
http://www.forestresearchtools.com/gathering-data-and-information-for-dissertation-writing
http://www.forestresearchtools.com/gathering-data-and-information-for-dissertation-writing
22
Atteslander, Peter: Methoden der empirischen Sozialforschung, Seite 146.
23
http://www.forestresearchtools.com/gathering-data-and-information-for-dissertation-writing
21
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24
http://www.forestresearchtools.com/gathering-data-and-information-for-dissertation-writing
http://www.slideshare.net/frankcalberg/feedback-tips
26
http://www.forestresearchtools.com/gathering-data-and-information-for-dissertation-writing
25
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Inputs
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conversation situation. The respondent feels that he or she is taken seriously in his own judgment.
For this reason, not least well-informed people who have an own opinion prefer open questions.
Regarding research strategy, open questions are - above all suited in the planning stage to
explore the problem and capture the relevant response categories.29
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8.6.8. At the end of the interview, ask the interviewee if he/she would like to add
anything
32
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8.6.9. At the end of the interview, give and receive feedback to / from the interviewee
http://www.slideshare.net/frankcalberg/feedback-tips
Erin Anderson.
Date:
Media or place:
Skype.
Transcriber:
Erin Anderson.
Abstract / Summary
Wendy Wheeler was born in
EA: My name is Erin Anderson and Im here with Wendy Wheeler.
WW: Youre welcome.37
37
38
http://www.wwhp.org/files/oral-history-project/Transcription_Tips_for_Oral_History.pdf
http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/1636/3162
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When transcribing interviews, change as little as possible. Accurately represent each speaker's
words, conversational quality, and speech patterns.39 In the methodology part of the thesis,
explain how you transcribed the interviews and why.40
http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/1636/3162
Transcripts make features of the recording more transparent and accessible, enabling one to
see the verbal and non-verbal activities that unfold on the tape. A good transcript helps the
analyst to get a purchase on the organization of the interaction, including its fleeting and
momentary features. A transcript is not a substitute for the recording, but rather is an essential
analytical tool to be used along with the recording.41
39
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/downloadFile.cgi?file=22107-2-28569Interview_Transcription_Guidelines_handout_.doc&filename=Interview_Transcription_Guidelines_handout_.doc
40
http://www.inside-installations.org/OCMT/mydocs/Microsoft%20Word%20%20Booksummary_Interviews_SMAK_2.pdf
41
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http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/1089/2384
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To determine what is important, look at theories laying the theoretical foundation to the thesis.
8.8.4. Categories are derived by looking within interview vs. looking across interviews
Vertical orientation: Categories are defined by looking within interviews.
Horizontal orientation: Categories are defined by looking across interviews.
Explanation
Clearly defined
Independent
No overlap
Complete
8.9. Contrast opinions of interviewees and explain why opinions are different
42
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43
Pivi Eriksson & Anne Kovalainen: Qualitative Methods as Business Research, p. 86-89.
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45
46
http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/social/psych30/support_materials/research_methods.htm
Pivi Eriksson & Anne Kovalainen: Qualitative methods as business research, p. 86-89.
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https://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/China/Applying_global_trends_A_look_at_Chinas_auto_industry_2643
47
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12. Results
12.1. Present the results
What findings did you discover doing the work?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivity_(science)
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_social_research_must_be_objective
50
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivity_(science)
51
http://michaeljmillerphd.com/res500_lecturenotes/reliability_and_validity.pdf
52
http://www.natco1.org/research/files/Validity-ReliabilityResearchArticle_000.pdf
49
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Consider a bathroom scale that always weighs you as being 5 lbs. heavier than your true weight.
This scale - though invalid as it incorrectly assesses weight - is perfectly reliable as it consistently
weighs you as being 5 lbs. heavier than you truly are. 53
A research example of this phenomenon would be a questionnaire designed to assess job
satisfaction that asked questions such as, Do you like to watch ice hockey games?, What do you
like to eat more, pizza or hamburgers? and What is your favorite movie?. As you can readily
imagine, the responses to these questions would probably remain stable over time, thus,
demonstrating highly reliable scores. However, the questions are not valid when one is attempting
to measure job satisfaction, as the questions have nothing to do with an individuals level of job
satisfaction. 54
53
http://michaeljmillerphd.com/res500_lecturenotes/reliability_and_validity.pdf
http://michaeljmillerphd.com/res500_lecturenotes/reliability_and_validity.pdf
55 http://psychology.about.com/od/researchmethods/f/validity.htm, http://www.natco1.org/research/files/ValidityReliabilityResearchArticle_000.pdf
56
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Validity
57
http://www.natco1.org/research/files/Validity-ReliabilityResearchArticle_000.pdf
54
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http://www.forestresearchtools.com/dissertation-writing-tips-citation-techniques-and-styles
Booth, Wayne C. et. al.: The Craft of Research, p. 189.
14.2. How should citations / quotations / references be made in the text using APA
style?
14.2.1. Basic citation styles
Indicate the authors name / authors names and the year of the publication.
http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/index.htm
58
59
http://www.forestresearchtools.com/dissertation-writing-tips-citation-techniques-and-styles
Booth, Wayne C. et. al.: The Craft of Research, p. 189.
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http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2013/10/how-to-cite-social-media-in-apa-style.html
14.3. How should citations / quotations / references be made in the text using MLA
style?
Indicate the authors name and the page number from which the information was obtained.
Example:
Brian, 44
14.4. How should citations / quotations / references be made in the text using
Chicago / Turabian style?
A footnote is created in the text generating a superscript number. In the corresponding footnote,
an explanation is given.
60
http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2009/10/how-to-cite-twitter-and-facebook-part-i.html
http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2009/10/how-to-cite-twitter-and-facebook-part-ii.html
62
http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/10/how-to-create-a-reference-for-a-youtube-video.html
61
63
http://www.waikato.ac.nz/library/study/referencing/styles/apa/examples
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14.5. How should citations / quotations / references be made in the text using
Harvard style?
Indicate the year, the page number, and the name of the author.
Example: (2014, page 27, B. C. ONeil).
Sources
http://www.forestresearchtools.com/dissertation-writing-tips-citation-techniques-and-styles
http://www.umuc.edu/library/libhow/apa_examples.cfm
http://education.exeter.ac.uk/dll/studyskills/harvard_referencing.htm
Campbell Brown, Consequentialize this, Ethics 121, no. 4 (July 2011): 752, accessed
December 1, 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/66069664
J Dean. (2008, May 7). When the self emerges: Is that me in the mirror? [Blog comment].
Retrieved from http://www.spring.org.uk/thelsttransport65
http://www.waikato.ac.nz/library/study/referencing/styles/apa/examples
14.6.2. Websites
http://..... Accessed on October 7th, 2014.
14.6.3. e-books, for example kindle book
64
Schiraldi, G. R. (2011). The post-traumatic stress disorder sourcebook: A guide to healing, recovery,
and growth [Adobe digital editions version]66
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/books/turabian/turabian_citationguide.html
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/
66
http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/index.htm
67
http://www.apastyle.org/learn/quick-guide-on-references.aspx#E-Books
65
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14.6.4. Print books
Philip B. Kurland and Ralph Lerner, eds., The Founders Constitution (Chicago: University of
Chicago Press, 1987) chap. 10, doc. 19, accessed October 15, 2011, http://presspubs.uchicago.edu/founders/
Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point: How little things can make a big difference (Boston:
Little, Brown, 2000), 64-65.68
Shotton, M.A. (1989). Computer addiction? A study of computer dependency. London,
England: Taylor and Francis.69
Sources:
http://education.exeter.ac.uk/dll/studyskills/harvard_referencing.htm
https://www.library.cornell.edu/research/citation/apa#text
Be sure that your reference list exactly matches the references you use in your thesis.70
68
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/books/turabian/turabian_citationguide.html
http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/index.htm
70
http://anniebruton.wordpress.com/2014/03/14/more-phd-thesis-advice-from-examiners-and-supervisors-50-toptips/
69
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15. Appendices
15.1. Appendices for all types of reports