The Grand Canyon University GCU College Of Doctoral Studies ✓ Solved

The Grand Canyon University Gcu College Of Doctoral Studies Has

The Grand Canyon University (GCU) College of Doctoral Studies has approved a limited number of qualitative and quantitative research designs commonly referred to as the GCU Core Designs. Doctoral learners must be acquainted with these designs to make an accurate selection for their dissertation research studies. In this assignment, you will explore a potential research design for your dissertation. Engaging in this exploration neither finalizes nor approves your research design; final selection and approval of the research design will be done at a later date in conjunction with your dissertation committee.

General Requirements: Use the following information to ensure successful completion of the assignment: Refer to the potential research methodology you drafted as an assignment in a previous course. Retain this paper for reference in future courses. Doctoral learners are required to use APA style for their writing assignments. The APA Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center. Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for specific guidelines related to doctoral level writing. The Manual contains essential information on manuscript structure and content, clear and concise writing, and academic grammar and usage. This assignment requires that at least two additional scholarly research sources related to this topic, and at least one in-text citation from each source be included.

Directions: Write a paper (750- 1,000 words) in which you discuss a potential research design for your dissertation. Include the following in your submission: A discussion of the GCU Core Design that you believe is most appropriate for your intended dissertation. A research-supported rationale for the chosen design. A research-supported discussion of why the other GCU Core Designs are not as appropriate as your chosen design given the intended dissertation research.

Paper For Above Instructions

Research design plays a crucial role in the success of a dissertation, particularly in a doctoral program. At Grand Canyon University (GCU), the Core Designs encompass a variety of methodologies that help students select the most suitable approach for their research inquiries. This paper discusses my potential research design for my dissertation, with a focus on the qualitative research design as the most appropriate GCU Core Design for my intended study. Additionally, I will provide a rationale for this choice and discuss why other designs may not fit as well.

Understanding the Qualitative Research Design

Qualitative research is primarily concerned with exploring and understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem (Creswell, 2013). The approach involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data, such as interviews, observations, and text, to derive insights and themes that are difficult to quantify. For my dissertation, I intend to explore the experiences of adult learners in online education, focusing on their motivations, challenges, and overall perceptions. Therefore, qualitative research is the most fitting GCU Core Design for my study due to its emphasis on capturing the complexity of human experiences.

Rationale for Choosing Qualitative Research

The rationale for selecting qualitative research design hinges on the nature of the research questions I aim to address. My primary research question seeks to understand how adult learners navigate their online educational experiences. This question requires in-depth exploration rather than mere statistical analysis. According to Merriam and Tisdell (2015), qualitative research allows for a rich, contextual understanding of learners’ experiences, making it ideal for my study objectives. The necessity of gathering personal narratives and lived experiences further advocates for this design, as quantitative methods may overlook the nuances of adult learners' unique journeys.

Comparative Analysis with Other Core Designs

Although GCU offers various Core Designs, such as quantitative, mixed methods, and action research, I believe these methods do not align as closely with my dissertation objectives. Below, I outline the limitations of these alternatives, reinforcing the appropriateness of qualitative research.

Quantitative Research Design

Quantitative research design employs structured tools like surveys and questionnaires to gather numerical data, which is then statistically analyzed (Creswell, 2014). While it provides a broad perspective, it may fail to capture the rich, contextual data essential for understanding adult learners’ experiences. Given the subjective nature of my research focus, utilizing a quantitative approach could reduce the depth of insights, leading to potential oversimplification of the complexities inherent in online learning.

Mixed Methods Design

Mixed methods research combines qualitative and quantitative approaches, allowing researchers to explore a phenomenon from multiple angles (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2011). However, integrating both methodologies can complicate the research process, often requiring extensive resources and time. For instance, while mixed methods might enable broader data gathering, my primary aim is to deeply understand the qualitative aspects of the educational experiences of adult learners. As such, employing a mixed method could detract from the focused narrative I aim to construct around personal experiences.

Action Research Design

Action research focuses on solving specific problems within a community through iterative cycles of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting (Stringer, 2013). Though valuable in practical contexts, it often emphasizes change and community involvement over experiential understanding. As my dissertation seeks to explore individual narratives rather than propose or evaluate interventions, action research may not serve the objectives of my study well.

Conclusion

In conclusion, qualitative research stands out as the most appropriate GCU Core Design for my intended dissertation. The design’s commitment to exploring and understanding the nuanced experiences of adult learners in online education aligns precisely with my research aims. The rationale provided highlights how the qualitative approach is ideally suited for generating rich, meaningful insights, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and motivations faced by learners. While other Core Designs offer valuable methodologies, they do not align as closely with the qualitative depth required for my research objectives.

References

• Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. SAGE Publications.
• Creswell, J. W. (2014). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. SAGE Publications.
• Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2011). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. SAGE Publications.
• Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2015). Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation. Jossey-Bass.
• Stringer, E. T. (2013). Action Research. SAGE Publications.
• Gall, M. D., Gall, J. P., & Borg, W. R. (2007). Educational Research: An Introduction. Pearson.
• Bogdan, R. C., & Biklen, S. K. (2006). Qualitative Research for Education: An Introduction to Theories and Methods. Pearson.
• Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2011). The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research. SAGE Publications.
• Moustakas, C. (1994). Phenomenological Research Methods. SAGE Publications.
• Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods. SAGE Publications.