Triangulation In Research: The Basics Data, methodology, investigator and theoretical triangulationBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | August 2024Subjectivity and bias are two sneaky culprits you need to watch out for whenever you’re...
Explore: The Dissertation Dictionary
Structured, Semi-Structured & Unstructured Interviews
Structured, Semi-Structured & Unstructured The "Big 3" Interview Approaches ExplainedBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | July 2024 When it comes to using interviews for qualitative data collection, there are a few different options -...
References vs Bibliography: What’s The Difference?
References vs Bibliography vs "Works Cited" What's The Difference?By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2024When writing a dissertation or thesis, you'll often hear the terms reference list, bibliography - and sometimes even “works cited” -...
Qualitative Coding Examples: Process, Values & In Vivo Coding
Qualitative Coding Examples Real-world examples of process, values and in vivo codingBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | May 2024We've spoken about qualitative coding approaches and techniques quite extensively, but this is one of those topics...
Research Ethics 101: A Simple Explainer (With Examples)
Research Ethics & Ethical Considerations A Plain-Language Explainer With ExamplesBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | May 2024Research ethics are one of those “unsexy but essential” subjects that you need to fully understand (and apply) to...
Research Implications & Recommendations: A Simple Explainer
Research Implications & Recommendations A Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + FREE TemplateBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | May 2024The research implications and recommendations are closely related but distinctly different...
Acknowledgements 101: Five Examples For Your Inspiration
Thesis Acknowledgements Examples 5 Examples For Your InspirationBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | May 2024The acknowledgements section of your thesis or dissertation is an opportunity to say thanks to all the people who helped you along your...
Research Limitations 101: What You Need To Know
Research Limitations 101 📖 A Plain-Language Explainer (With Practical Examples) By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | May 2024Research limitations are one of those things that students tend to avoid digging into, and understandably so. No...
In Vivo Coding 101: Full Explainer With Examples
In Vivo Coding 101 🖍️ A Plain-Language Explainer (With Practical Examples) By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | April 2024Qualitative coding is a topic that often leaves students feeling a little confused - but it doesn’t have to be that...
All But Dissertation (ABD) Status – What You Need To Know
All But Dissertation (ABD) Status 😬 A Plain-Language Explainer + Guide For Stuck Students By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | April 2024When it comes to completing a PhD or doctoral degree, “all but dissertation” (or ABD) is all too often...
Process Coding 101: Full Explainer With Examples
Process Coding 101 🖍️ A Plain-Language Explainer (With Practical Examples) By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | April 2024Qualitative coding and analysis are areas that often leave students feeling a little confused - but it doesn’t have...
Qualitative Coding 101: Inductive, Deductive & Hybrid Coding
Inductive, Deductive & Abductive Coding Qualitative Coding Approaches Explained Simply (+ Examples) By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | April 2024Qualitative coding is a topic that often leaves students feeling a little confused - but...
Writing A Research Proposal: 4 Hacks To Fast-Track The Process
🎙️ PODCAST: Writing A Research Proposal 4 Time-Saving Tips To Fast-Track Your ProposalBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) and Ethar Al-Saraf (Phd) | March 2024Crafting a well-thought-out research proposal is essential for gaining approval and setting a clear path for your research...
Master Your Methodology: 4 Hacks To Fast-Track The Process
🎙️ PODCAST: Master The Methodology 4 Tips To Ensure Your Methodology Is Perfectly On PointBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) and Ethar Al-Saraf (PhD) | Feb 2024Find yourself lost in a sea of complex terms and unsure where to begin? Fear not. In this episode of the Grad Coach...
Dissertation Advisor 101: How To Get The Most From The Relationship
Dissertation Advisor 101 How to get the most from the student-supervisor relationshipBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | January 2024Many students feel a little intimidated by the idea of having to work with a research advisor (or...
Acknowledgements 101: How To Write The Section
The Acknowledgements Section How to write the acknowledgements for your thesis or dissertationBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | January 2024Writing the acknowledgements section of your thesis might seem straightforward, but it's more than just...
Inferential Statistics 101: Simple Explainer (With Examples)
Quant Analysis 101: Inferential Statistics Everything You Need To Get Started (With Examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Kerryn Warren (PhD) | October 2023If you’re new to quantitative data analysis, one of the many terms you’re likely to hear being thrown...
Research Question 101: Everything You Need To Know
Research Question 101 📖 Everything you need to know to write a high-quality research questionBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | October 2023If you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably asking yourself, “What is a research question?”. Well,...
Research Question Examples: The Perfect Starting Point
Research Question Examples 🧑🏻🏫 25+ Practical Examples & Ideas To Help You Get Started By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | October 2023A well-crafted research question (or set of questions) sets the stage for a robust study and meaningful insights. But, if you're new to...
Descriptive Statistics 101: Simple Explainer (With Examples)
Quant Analysis 101: Descriptive Statistics Everything You Need To Get Started (With Examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Kerryn Warren (PhD) | October 2023If you’re new to quantitative data analysis, one of the first terms you’re likely to hear being thrown...
AI Research Tools: Hype Or Help?
AI Research Tools: Hype Or Help? It's time for a balanced discussionBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Kerryn Warren (PhD), David Phair (PhD) | October 2023There’s a lot of talk about AI research tools at the moment. If the YouTubers, the bloggers and the broader...
Validity & Reliability: Explained Simply
Validity & Reliability In Research A Plain-Language Explanation (With Examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Kerryn Warren (PhD) | September 2023Validity and reliability are two related but distinctly different concepts within research. Understanding...
Literature Synthesis 101: How To Synthesise The Literature
Literature Syntheis 101 How To Synthesise The Existing Research (With Examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | August 2023One of the most common mistakes that students make when writing a literature review is that they err on the...
The Essential Components of a Literature Review
Literature Review: 3 Essential Ingredients The theoretical framework, empirical research and research gapBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewer: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | July 2023Writing a comprehensive but concise literature review is no simple task. There's a lot of...
Research Philosophy & Research Paradigms
What Is Research Philosophy?Positivism, Interpretivism & Pragmatism - Explained SimplyBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewer: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | June 2023esearch philosophy is one of those things that students tend to either gloss over or...
Logos, Ethos & Pathos: The Rhetorical Triangle
What Are Logos, Pathos & Ethos? A straight-forward explainer (with examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewer: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | June 2023If you spend any amount of time exploring the wonderful world of philosophy, you’re bound to run into the dynamic...
Research Design 101: Qualitative & Quantitative
What Is Research Design?A Plain-Language Explainer (With Examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) & Kerryn Warren (PhD) | April 2023avigating the world of research can be daunting, especially if you’re a first-time...
Research Constructs 101: What You Need To Know
Research Constructs 101 Constructs, Validity & Reliability - Explained SimplyBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | March 2023Navigating the world of academic research can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the field....
The Research Problem & Problem Statement
The Research Problem & Statement What they are & how to write them (with examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | March 2023If you’re new to academic research, you’re bound to encounter the concept of a “research...
Theoretical Framework vs Conceptual Framework
Theoretical vs Conceptual FrameworkWhat they are & how they’re different (with examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | March 2023If you’re new to academic research, sooner or later you’re bound to run into the...
Narrative Analysis Explained Simply (With Examples)
Narrative Analysis 101 Everything you need to know to get startedBy: Ethar Al-Saraf (PhD)| Expert Reviewed By: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | March 2023If you’re new to research, the host of qualitative analysis methods available to you can be a little overwhelming. In...
Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Sources Explained
Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Sources What they are and how they compare (with examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Kerryn Warren (PhD) | January 2023If you’re new to the wild world of research, you’re bound to encounter the terrible twins,...
Variables 101: Independent, Dependent & Control Variables
Research Variables 101 Independent variables, dependent variables, control variables and moreBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Kerryn Warren (PhD) | January 2023If you’re new to the world of research, especially scientific research, you’re bound to run into...
Sampling Methods & Strategies 101: What You Need To Know
Sampling Methods & Strategies 101 Everything you need to know (including examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Kerryn Warren (PhD) | January 2023If you’re new to research, sooner or later you’re bound to wander into the intimidating world of...
How To Find A Research Gap (Literature Gap)
The Research Gap (Literature Gap)Everything you need to know to find a quality research gapBy: Ethar Al-Saraf (PhD) | Expert Reviewed By: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | November 2022f you're just starting out in research, chances are you've heard...
How To Avoid Bias In Your Research
Research Bias 101: What You Need To KnowBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | September 2022If you're new to academic research, research bias (also sometimes called researcher bias) is one of the many things you need to understand to...
Research Limitations vs Research Delimitations
Research Limitations & Delimitations What they are and how they're different (with examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: David Phair (PhD) | September 2022If you're new to the world of research, you've probably heard the terms "research...
Research Aims, Objectives & Questions: Explained Simply (+ Examples)
Research Aims, Objectives & QuestionsThe "Golden Thread" Explained Simply (+ Examples)By: David Phair (PhD) and Alexandra Shaeffer (PhD) | June 2022he research aims, objectives and research questions (collectively called the “golden thread”) are...
What (Exactly) Is Discourse Analysis?
What (Exactly) Is Discourse Analysis?A Plain-Language Explanation & Definition (With Examples)By: Jenna Crosley (PhD). Expert Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2021iscourse analysis is one of the most popular qualitative analysis techniques...
What (Exactly) Is Thematic Analysis?
What Is Thematic Analysis?Plain-Language Explanation, Definition & ExamplesBy: Jenna Crosley (PhD). Expert Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | April 2021hematic analysis is one of the most popular qualitative analysis techniques we see students...
Qualitative Content Analysis: Explained Simply (With Examples)
What Is Qualitative Content Analysis? QCA explained simply (with examples)By: Jenna Crosley (PhD). Reviewed by: Dr Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | February 2021If you’re in the process of preparing for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve probably...
Saunders’ Research Onion – Explained Simply (With Examples)
Saunders’ Research OnionPlain-Language Explainer (With Examples)By: David Phair (PhD) and Kerryn Warren (PhD) | January 2021f you’re learning about research skills and methodologies, you may have heard the term “research onion”. Specifically, the...
Qualitative Data Coding 101: Everything You Need To Know
Qualitative Data Coding 101 How to code qualitative data, the smart way (with examples).By: Jenna Crosley (PhD) | Reviewed by:Dr Eunice Rautenbach | December 2020As we've discussed previously, qualitative research makes use of non-numerical data - for example, words,...
Quantitative Data Analysis 101: Methods, Techniques & Terminology Explained.
Quantitative Data Analysis 101The Lingo, Methods and Techniques - Explained Simply.By: Derek Jansen (MBA) and Kerryn Warren (PhD) | December 2020uantitative data analysis is one of those things that often strikes fear in students. It’s totally...
The 4 Levels Of Measurement Explained: Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and Ratio
Nominal, Ordinal, Interval & Ratio DataLevels Of Measurement: Explained Simply (With Examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | November 2020If you’re new to the world of quantitative data analysis and statistics,...
Dissertation vs Thesis: What’s the difference?
Dissertation vs Thesis vs Capstone ProjectWhat's the difference?By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | October 2020At Grad Coach, we receive questions about dissertation and thesis writing on a daily basis – everything from how to find a...
What (Exactly) Is A Literature Review?
What Is A Literature Review? A Plain-Language Explainer (With Examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) & Kerryn Warren (PhD) | June 2020 (Updated May 2023)If you’re faced with writing a dissertation or thesis, chances are you’ve encountered the term “literature review”. If...
Qualitative vs Quantitative Research: How To Choose Your Research Approach
Qualitative vs Quantitative Research 101 A Plain-Language Explanation (With Examples)By: Kerryn Warren (PhD, MSc, BSc) | June 2020So, it’s time to decide what type of research approach you're going to use - qualitative or quantitative. And, chances are, you want to...
What (Exactly) Is A Dissertation Abstract?
The Dissertation/Thesis AbstractHow To Write A High-Impact Abstract (With Examples)By: Madeline Fink (MSc) Reviewed By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | June 2020So, you’ve (finally) finished your thesis or dissertation or thesis. Now it's time to write up...
What Is Research Methodology? Simple Definition (With Examples)
What Is Research Methodology?A Plain-Language Explanation & Definition (With Examples)By Derek Jansen (MBA) and Kerryn Warren (PhD) | June 2020 (Last updated April 2023)f you're new to formal academic research, it's quite likely that you're feeling...