Research Approach/Methods, Instruments, and Review Process by Author: E. Rey Garcia, MPA, DCS-EIS Candidate

1. Dissertation Research Strategy
Research Approaches/Methods, Instruments, and Review Process
E. Rey Garcia, MPA, DCS-EIS Candidate RES860 Principles of Research and Writing

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Dissertation Research Strategy
Research Approaches/Methods, Instruments, and Review Process
E. Rey Garcia
Colorado Technical University
November 21, 2017
RES860: Principles of Research and Writing
Unit 04: Individual Project: Quantitative and Qualitative Research
Class Taught by: Dr. Daniel Dayton

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Dissertation Research Strategy
Introduction
This scholarly individual project describes the Dissertation Research Strategy, or what is
investigated and what methods and tools will be used to collect data and report it. The research
strategy is explained in detail in the methodology chapter, which addresses and investigate any
problems or issues. (Goodall, 2014)
The information below serves as a guide to the researcher for selecting the approach or
method to be used in the research process. The research instruments must be identified and
defined by the researcher. Finally, the researcher must understand the review process and
guidelines before beginning the research process.
Research Approaches/Methods.
Dissertation researching involves various methods that can be used for data gathering
related to the research topic. There are four types of research methods: action, qualitative,
quantitative, and mixed methods. They can be used individually or combined.
Action Research.
“Action research is a process, an ongoing series of events and actions.” (Joy, 2015) The
research cycle begins with a series of planning actions. These consist of three phases:
 The Input Phase – Becoming aware of the problems.
 The Transformation Phase – Actions related to the learning process and planning
and behavioral changes.
 The Output or Results Phase – Actual change in behavior from corrective action.
(Joy, 2015)

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Action research is also called a cycle of action or cycle of inquiry, it follows a predefined
process that is repeated over time.
 Identify a problem to be studied
 Collect data on the problem
 Organize, analyze, and interpret the data
 Develop a plan to address the problem
 Implement the plan
 Evaluate the results of the actions taken
 Identify a new problem
 Repeat the process
(Abbott, 2014)
Qualitative Research.
This type of research approach focuses on exploring and understanding the meaning
individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. It involves emerging questions and
procedures, data typically collected in the participant’s setting, data analysis inductively building
from particulars to general themes, and the researcher making interpretations of the meaning of
the data. “Those who engage in this form of inquiry support a way of looking at research that
honors an inductive style, a focus on individual meaning, and the importance of rendering the
complexity of a situation.” (Creswell, J.W. & Creswell, J.D., 2014)
Quantitative Research.
This type of research approach focuses on the testing of objective theories by examining
the relationship among variables. Variables can be measured, typically on instruments, so that
numbered data can be analyzed using statistical procedures. The final report’s a set structure

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consists of an introduction, literature and theory, methods, results, and discussion. Those who
engage in this form of research have assumptions about deductively testing theories, “building in
protections against bias, controlling for alternative explanations, and being able to generalize and
replicate the findings.” (Creswell, J.W. & Creswell, J.D., 2014)
Mixed Methods Research.
This type of research approach focuses on inquiry involving collecting both quantitative
and qualitative data, integrating both and using distinct designs that may involve philosophical
assumptions and theoretical frameworks. “The core assumption of this form of inquiry is that the
combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches provides a more complete understanding
of a research problem than either approach alone.” (Creswell, J.W. & Creswell, J.D., 2014)
Research Instruments.
A research instrument is a tool used to collect, measure, and analyze data related to the
research subject. These tools can consist of tests, surveys, questionnaires, or even checklists.
(Miller, 2017) The steps below are part of the research instruments when gathering data.
Conceptualization.
The researcher must conceptualize or identify the research questions: what, why, and
how. Second, the researcher must identify the methods that will be used to gather the data:
interviews, surveys, questionnaires, observations, focus groups, case studies, or existing
documents or records. Third, the researcher must identify the paradigm or model. (University of
Minnesota, 2017 and Sequeria, 2015)

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Unit of Analysis.
The unit of analysis is one of the most important steps of a research project. It is the
major entity that is being analyzed in the study. It could be “individuals, groups, artifacts (books,
photos, newspapers), geographical units (town, census tract, state), or social interactions (dyadic
relations, divorces, arrests).” (Trochim, 2006)
Operationalization.
Operationalization is the process of strictly defining variables into measurable factors. It
defines unclear concepts and measures them empirically and quantitatively. (Shuttleworth, 2017)
Review Process.
The review process consists of the researcher having an overall understanding of the
measures and steps of the review process and the resources used. Second, if the researcher is
conducting research within one’s organization, he or she must determine what category of
research, based on CTU’s research categories.
International Review Board (IRB) Process.
Once the researcher is ready to begin, he or she must understand IRB’s review process
clearly. Second, the researcher must protect human subjects and identify any risks. The subjects
must be kept informed of the research being conducted or any changes to it. (Alexander and
Colorado Technical University, n/d)

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IRB Resources.
Below are the IRB resources used in the review process:
 IRB Application
 IRB review for research without human subject
 SharePoint uploading instructions
 Blank Informed Consent Form
(Alexander and Colorado Technical University, n/d)
CTU Categories for Conducting Organizational Research.
The researcher may decide to conduct research within his or her organization. If doing so,
the researcher must identify one of CTU’s categories of research: Exempt (low risk), Non-
Exempt (greater risks), or No Human Subject. (Colorado Technical University, n/d)
Concluding Remarks.
The dissertation research process, involves selecting the right approach or method that
fits the type of research that is being conducted. Second, by using the research instruments, the
researcher can gathering data that both supports the topic and is empirical. Finally, by using the
review process and resources, the researcher is able to protect the subject(s) used in the research
process.

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References
Abbott, S. (2014, August 26). Action Research Definition. Retrieved November 22, 2017, from
http://edglossary.org/action-research/
Alexander, M. (n.d.). International Review Board Process. International Review Board (IRB).
Retrieved November 21, 2017, from
http://careered.libguides.com/ctu/doctoral_students/irb#s-lg-box-7108373
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and
Mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). doi:10.4236
CTU Research Categories: Preparing to Conduct Research in One’s Own Organization. (n.d.).
Retrieved November 21, 2017, from
http://careered.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=14136030
Goodall, J. (2014, May 29). Research Strategy - MA Ed Dissertation. Retrieved November 22,
2017, from https://wiki.bath.ac.uk/display/MED/Research strategy/
Joy, M. M. (2015, July 15). Action research - OD process - Organizational Change and
Development Retrieved November 22, 2017, from https://www.slideshare.net/
manumelwin/action-research-od-process
Miller, R. (2017, November 16). Research Instruments: Identifying Research Instruments.
Retrieved November 21, 2017, from http://guides.library.duq.edu/researchinstruments
Sequeria, A. H. (2015, March 22). Conceptualizing in Research: An Overview. Retrieved
November 21, 2017, from https://www.slideshare.net/aloysiushs/conceptualizing-in-research-
an-overview-46130456

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Shuttleworth, M. (2017). Operationalization. Retrieved November 21, 2017, from
https://explorable.com/operationalization
Trochim, W. M. (2006, October 20). Research Methods Knowledge Base: Unit of Analysis.
Retrieved November 21, 2017, from https://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/unitanal.php
University of Minnesota: Data Collection Techniques. (2017). Retrieved November 21, 2017,
from https://cyfar.org/data-collection-techniques