Chapter 4: Findings
Checklist:
☐ Begin with the first sentence of the problem and purpose statement that leads to a brief explanation of the organization of the literature review. Copy verbatim from Chapter 1..
☐ Organize the entire chapter around the research questions/hypotheses.
XXX of the Data
Checklist:
☐ For qualitative studies, clearly identify how the trustworthiness of the data was established. Discuss credibility (e.g., triangulation, member checks), transferability (e.g., the extent to which the findings are transferable to other situations), dependability (e.g., an in-depth description of the methodology and design to allow the study to be repeated), and confirmability (e.g., the steps to ensure the data and findings are not due to participant and/or researcher bias).
☐ For quantitative studies, provide evidence of the psychometric soundness (i.e., adequate validity and reliability) of the instruments from the literature as well as in this study (as appropriate). Do not merely list and describe all the measures of validity and reliability.
☐ For quantitative studies, address the assumptions of the statistical test(s). Explain the extent to which the data complies with the assumptions of the statistical test(s) and identify any potential factors that might impact the interpretation of findings. Report any violations to statistical assumptions and describe how they were managed as appropriate, including needed changes.
☐ Mixed methods studies should include discussions of the trustworthiness of the data as well as validity and reliability.
Results
Checklist:
☐ Briefly discuss the overall study. Organize the presentation of the results by the research questions/hypotheses and then the content.
☐ Objectively report the results of the analysis without discussion, interpretation, or speculation.
☐ Provide an overview of the demographic information collected. It can be presented in a table. Ensure no potentially identifying information is reported.
Table 1
Participant Demographics
Participant Role Years of Experience Education Level
Lindsay Manager 11–15 Master’s
Rae Ann Staff Member 1–5 Bachelor’s
Ann Owner 11–15 Master’s
Research Question 1/Hypothesis
Checklist
☐ Report all the results (without discussion) salient to the research question/hypothesis. Identify common themes or patterns.
☐ Use tables and/or figures to report the results as appropriate.
☐ For quantitative studies, report any additional descriptive information as appropriate. Include relevant test statistics, p values, and effect sizes following APA requirements.
☐ For qualitative studies, describe the steps taken to analyze the data to explain how the themes and categories were generated. Include thick descriptions of the participants’ experiences. Provide a comprehensive and coherent reconstruction of the information obtained from all the participants.
☐ For mixed methods studies, include all of the above.
Comparison of Results to the Literature Review
Checklist:
☐ Compare the results in light of the existing research and framework (as discussed in Chapters 1 and 2). Briefly indicate the extent to which the results were consistent with existing research and theory.
☐ Format this discussion by research question/hypothesis and then the content. Include citations from Chapter 2. No new literature should be introduced. If you refer to the literature in this section, it should be included in Chapter 2.
☐ Do not draw conclusions beyond what can be interpreted directly from the results.
☐ Devote approximately one to two pages to this section.
Summary
Checklist:
☐ Summarize the key points presented in the chapter.
☐ Include a transition to the next chapter (no more than a sentence or two).
☐ Do not introduce any new information in your summary
