Thesis Chapter Four: Data Analysis Anne René Elsbree California State University San Marcos

Chapter Four Objective  To describe and analyze research findings  Written in past tense

Chapter Four Introduction  Identify problem & restate the research question (Do not repeat your entire Ch 1.)  Preview the contents of the chapter  Explain your organization of the data and analysis - Label themes.  Describe the themes addressed in chapter  Use all of the titles of subsection in the introduction as sign posts for the reader to know what is coming.

Data Presentation  Describe the findings within context of the setting, research question(s) and field of education  Provide Visual Representation Tables/Figures Quotes Photos Concept Maps  Properly identify each data representation using APA format as well as provide within the narrative of text  The findings are detailed and flow easily

Data Analysis  Appropriately analyze - using the process you described in Chapter 3 and explain your analysis process  Iterative - use a systematic review Make sure nothing is left out of analysis.  Provide sufficient evidence  Explain how this research analysis integrates into the specific field of study as well as the entire field of education.

Interpretation  Interpret how you made sense of the findings  Contextualize the findings to the field of education  Include inconsistent findings and discuss possible alternative interpretations  Articulate how author’s insider/outsider impacted the findings and interpretations.  Articulate insights gained from study  Glimpse into the limitations of study in reference to data and analysis

Chapter Four Conclusion  Summarize key concepts in Chapter 4  Re-articulate research question  Provide a transition to Chapter 5