Logically+Aligning+Research

It is critical to logically align the elements of your research. For qualitative research, this means you must ensure the following pieces support or "nest" with each other. Items on top are supported by the rungs below Bhattacharya (2007):


 * Epistemology (how we know what we know)
 * Research purpose
 * Research questions
 * Research design
 * Data collection
 * Data analysis
 * Data representation (answer questions, significance, & implications)

As a visual learner, I had to envision how these elements fit together for my own research. I devised this schematic below which attempts to show the logical alignment of the elements in my study. It is by no means a finished product; rather, it will likely be a work-in-progress until my proposal is approved.