DBA Research Methodology and Doctoral Research 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In DBA research, what is the difference between a conceptual framework and a theoretical framework?
- They are identical terms
- A conceptual framework is researcher-constructed while a theoretical framework is grounded in existing theory (Correct answer)
- A theoretical framework is always quantitative
- A conceptual framework only applies to case studies
Correct answer: A conceptual framework is researcher-constructed while a theoretical framework is grounded in existing theory
A theoretical framework draws on established theories, whereas a conceptual framework is a researcher-built map of key concepts and their relationships.
Question 2: What is the main concern addressed by Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval in US doctoral research?
- Statistical accuracy
- Protection of human research participants (Correct answer)
- Funding allocation
- Dissertation formatting standards
Correct answer: Protection of human research participants
IRB approval ensures that research involving human subjects is conducted ethically and that participants' rights and welfare are protected.
Question 3: Which data analysis approach involves coding qualitative data to identify patterns and build theory from the ground up?
- Regression analysis
- Grounded theory (Correct answer)
- Structural equation modeling
- Factor analysis
Correct answer: Grounded theory
Grounded theory uses systematic coding of qualitative data to inductively develop theory directly from empirical data.
Question 4: What is 'member checking' in qualitative research?
- Auditing membership fees
- Returning findings to participants to verify accuracy and interpretation (Correct answer)
- Checking participant demographics
- Reviewing committee member feedback
Correct answer: Returning findings to participants to verify accuracy and interpretation
Member checking (respondent validation) involves sharing findings with study participants to confirm that the researcher's interpretations accurately reflect their experiences.
Question 5: In a DBA quantitative study, what does a p-value less than 0.05 typically indicate?
- The study has no practical significance
- The result is statistically significant at the 5% level (Correct answer)
- The sample size is too small
- The hypothesis should be accepted without question
Correct answer: The result is statistically significant at the 5% level
A p-value < 0.05 indicates that there is less than a 5% probability of observing the result by chance, suggesting statistical significance.
Question 6: Which research design is most appropriate when a DBA student wants to study a phenomenon in its real-world context using multiple sources of evidence?
- Experimental design
- Survey design
- Case study design (Correct answer)
- Meta-analysis
Correct answer: Case study design
Case study design is ideal for examining a contemporary phenomenon in its real-life context, especially when boundaries between phenomenon and context are unclear.
DBA Research Methodology and Doctoral Research 2
In DBA research, what is the difference between a conceptual framework and a theoretical framework?