Research Proposal Example/SampleA Step-By-Step Walkthrough + Free TemplateBy: Derek Jansen (MBA). Expert Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | April 2023f you're getting started crafting your research proposal and are looking for a few examples of...
Explore: Dissertation & Thesis Writing 101
Research Design 101: Qualitative & Quantitative
What (Exactly) Is Research Design?A Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + Free Template 📝By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) & Kerryn Warren (PhD) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - Research Design Your research design is the blueprint for...
Research Constructs 101: What You Need To Know
What Are Research Constructs?Constructs, Validity & Reliability - Explained Simply 🎓By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - Research Constructs Research constructs are big ideas we can’t measure directly,...
The Research Problem & Problem Statement
The Research Problem & StatementWhat They Are & How To Write Them - With Examples 🎓By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - Research Problem 101 A research problem defines the core issue your study will...
Theoretical Framework vs Conceptual Framework
Theoretical vs Conceptual FrameworkWhat They Are & How They’re Different - Explained Simply ✨By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | March 2023TL;DR - Theoretical and conceptual frameworks Theoretical and conceptual frameworks are often...
Narrative Analysis Explained Simply (With Examples)
What (Exactly) Is Narrative Analysis?A Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + Free Template 📄By: Ethar Al-Saraf (PhD)| Expert Reviewed By: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - What is narrative analysis? Narrative analysis is a qualitative analysis...
Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Sources Explained
Primary, Secondary & Tertiary SourcesA Plain-Language Explainer - With Practical ExamplesBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Kerryn Warren (PhD) | January 2023f you’re new to the wild world of research, you’re bound to encounter the...
Variables 101: Independent, Dependent & Control Variables
What (Exactly) Are Research Variables?Independent, dependent and control variables and more - explained simply.By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Kerryn Warren (PhD) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - Research Variables Every research study relies on variables —...
Sampling Methods & Strategies 101: What You Need To Know
Sampling Methods & Strategies 101A Plain-Language Explainer - With Practical ExamplesBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Kerryn Warren (PhD) | January 2023f you’re new to research, sooner or later you’re bound to wander into the...
How To Find A Research Gap (Literature Gap)
The Research Gap (Literature Gap)How To Find The Elusive Research Gap - With Practical Examples 📋By: Ethar Al-Saraf (PhD) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - What is a research gap? A research gap is a clear, unanswered...
How To Avoid Bias In Your Research
Research Bias: The Hidden MonsterThe "Big 3" Biases You Need To Know AboutBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | September 2022f you're new to academic research, research bias (also sometimes called researcher bias) is...
Research Limitations vs Research Delimitations
Research Limitations & DelimitationsWhat they are - and how they're different (with examples) 🎓By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: David Phair (PhD) | September 2022TL;DR - Limitations vs Delimitations Limitations and delimitations both describe the...
Thematic Analysis Basics: 5 Time-Saving Tips
Qual 101: Thematic Analysis BasicsSix Time-Saving Tips To Help You Ace Your Analysis 📚By: David Phair (PhD) & Amy Murdock (PhD) | September 2022hematic analysis is an effective method for researchers to derive meaning from large sets of...
Research Aims, Objectives & Questions: Explained Simply (+ Examples)
Research Aims, Objectives & QuestionsThe "Golden Thread" Explained Simply - With ExamplesBy: David Phair (PhD) and Alexandra Shaeffer (PhD) | June 2022he research aims, objectives and research questions (collectively called the “golden thread”) are...
Finding A Research Topic: 5 Time-Saving Tips
Finding A High-Quality Research TopicFive Things You Need To Know Before You Start 📚By: David Phair (PhD) & Amy Murdock (PhD) | May 2022t’s no easy task to take on the culminating project of your degree, the dreaded dissertation or thesis....
Survey Design 101: 5 Common Mistakes
Dissertation & Thesis Survey Design 1015 Common Mistakes To Avoid (+ Examples)By: David Phair (PhD) & Kerryn Warren (PhD) | April 2022urveys are a powerful way to collect data for your dissertation, thesis or research project. Done right, a...
Qualitative Interviews: 5 Costly Mistakes (+ Free Interview Guide)
Qualitative Research 101: InterviewingFive Common (But Costly) Mistakes You Need To AvoidBy: David Phair (PhD) and Kerryn Warren (PhD) | March 2022ndertaking interviews is potentially the most important step in the qualitative research process. If...
Dissertation Introduction: 7 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid
Writing Your Dissertation IntroductionSeven Common (But Costly) Mistakes You Need To AvoidBy: David Phair (PhD) and Alexandra Shaeffer (PhD) | March 2022our dissertation or thesis introduction chapter is critically important as it tells the reader...
The Dissertation Abstract: 5 Costly Mistakes To Avoid
Writing A Dissertation AbstractFive Innocent Errors That Will Quietly Destroy Your Abstract 🧨By: David Phair (PhD) & Peter Quella (PhD) | February 2022riting a quality abstract is important as the abstract tells the reader what to expect in...
How To Source A-Grade Resources For Your Literature Review
How To Find Literature - Fast 📚 Sourcing, Evaluating and Organising High-Quality Academic LiteratureBy: David Phair (PhD) and Peter Quella (PhD) | January 2022s we’ve discussed previously on our blog and YouTube channel, the first step of the...
How To Write The Methodology Chapter
How To Write The Methodology ChapterA Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + Free Template 📝By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - The Methodology Chapter The methodology chapter should explain how you...
How To Write The Conclusion Chapter: 6 Steps + Examples
How To Write The Conclusion ChapterA Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + Free Template 📝By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - Research Conclusion The conclusion chapter wraps up your dissertation or...
How To Write The Discussion Chapter: 6 Steps + Examples
How To Write The Discussion ChapterA Simple Explainer With Examples + Free Template 📋By: Jenna Crossley (PhD) | Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | August 2021f you’re reading this, chances are you’ve reached the discussion chapter of your thesis...
The Dissertation Results/Findings Chapter (Qualitative)
How To Write The Results ChapterFor Qualitative Studies - Includes Free Template 📝By: Jenna Crossley (PhD). Expert Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | Updated August 2025TL;DR - Qualitative Results Section The qualitative results chapter is where you present your...
How To Write The Results/Findings Chapter (Quantitative)
How To Write The Results SectionFor QUANTITATIVE Studies - Includes Free Template 📝By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By: Kerryn Warren (PhD) | July 2021o, you’ve completed your quantitative data analysis and it’s time to report on your...
How To Choose The Right Research Methodology
How To Choose Your MethodologyDeciding Between Qualitative, Quantitative & Mixed MethodsBy: Derek Jansen (MBA). Expert Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2021ithout a doubt, one of the most common questions we receive at Grad Coach is...
Writing A Literature Review: 7 Common Mistakes To Avoid
Write Your Literature Review - RightSeven Deadly Literature Review Mistakes You Need To Avoid ☠️By: David Phair (PhD) | Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2021rafting a high-quality literature review is critical to earning marks and...
Writing A Research Proposal: 8 Common Mistakes To Avoid
Writing A Quality Research ProposalEight Common - But Costly - Mistakes To Avoid 🤦By: Derek Jansen (MBA) and David Phair (PhD) | Updated March 2025t Grad Coach, we review a lot of research proposals, including dissertation proposals and thesis...
Preparing For Your Dissertation Defence: 13 Key Questions
Dissertation Defense Preparation 10113 Viva Voce Questions You Need To Be Ready ForBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) & David Phair (PhD) | Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2021reparing for your dissertation or thesis defense (also called a "viva...
6 Reasons You Should NEVER Use a Dissertation Writing Service
6 Reasons Why Thesis Writing Services Are An Absolutely Terrible Idea.By: Derek Jansen (MBA). Expert Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2021We get it. By the time you’ve reached the final stage of your degree program, the dissertation (or thesis) can seem like a...
Qualitative Data Coding 101: Everything You Need To Know
Qualitative Data Coding 101How To Code Your Qualitative Data - The Smart WayAuthored By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach (D.Tech) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - What is qualitative coding? Qualitative data coding is the first step in making sense of non-numerical data like...
Quantitative Data Analysis 101: Methods, Techniques & Terminology Explained.
Quantitative Data Analysis 101A Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + Free Template 📝By: Derek Jansen (MBA) and Kerryn Warren (PhD) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - Quantitative Analysis Methods Quantitative analysis is about making sense of number-based data using...
The 4 Levels Of Measurement Explained: Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and Ratio
Nominal, Ordinal, Interval & Ratio DataLevels Of Measurement Explained Simply - With ExamplesBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewed By Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | November 2020TL;DR - Levels of Measurement (NOIR) Nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio are the four key...
How To Structure Your Literature Review Chapter
Structuring Your Literature ReviewOur Top 3 Tried & Trusted Structures + FREE TemplateBy: Amy Rommelspacher (PhD) | Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | November 2020 (Updated May 2023)riting the literature review chapter can seem pretty daunting...
Dissertation vs Thesis: What’s the difference?
Dissertation vs Thesis vs CapstoneA Plain-Language Explainer + Free Template 📝By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated March 2025t Grad Coach, we receive questions about dissertation and thesis writing on a...
What (Exactly) Is A Literature Review?
What (Exactly) Is A Literature Review?A Plain-Language Explainer + Free TemplateBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) & Kerryn Warren (PhD) | June 2020 (Updated May 2023)f you’re faced with writing a dissertation or thesis, chances are you’ve encountered the...
Qualitative vs Quantitative Research: How To Choose Your Research Approach
Qualitative vs Quantitative Research 101How To Choose The Right Methodology For Your Project 📝By: Kerryn Warren (PhD) & Derek Jansen (MBA) | Updated: March 2025o, it’s time to decide what type of research approach you're going to use -...
What (Exactly) Is A Dissertation Abstract?
The Dissertation/Thesis AbstractHow To Write A High-Impact Abstract - With ExamplesBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach (D.Tech) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - What is a research abstract? The abstract is a short, structured summary of your research...
What Is Research Methodology? Simple Definition (With Examples)
What Is Research Methodology?A Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + Free Template 📝By: Derek Jansen (MBA) and Kerryn Warren (PhD) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - Research Methodology Research methodology is all about the practical “how” of your study and the choices...
What (Exactly) Is A Research Proposal?
What (Exactly) Is A Research Proposal?A Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + Free Template 📝By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | Updated August 2025TL;DR - Research Proposal 101 A research proposal is the plan that explains what you’ll...
What Is a Longitudinal Study (Or Longitudinal Research)?
What Is A Longitudinal Study?A Plain-Language Explanation & Definition (With Examples)By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated March 2025f you’re new to the world of research, or it’s your first time writing...
What Is A Cross-Sectional Study (Or Cross-Sectional Research)?
What Is A Cross-Sectional Study?A Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + Free Template 📝By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated March 2025f you’ve just started out on your dissertation, thesis or research...
What Is A Research Hypothesis (Or Scientific Hypothesis)?
What Is A Research Hypothesis?A Plain-Language Explainer - With Practical Examples ✨By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated March 2025TL;DR - What is a hypothesis? A research hypothesis is a clear, specific and testable...
How To Write A Dissertation Or Thesis 101: Big Picture Guide (With Examples)
How To Write A Dissertation Or ThesisA Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + Free Template 📝By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Update March 2025riting a dissertation or thesis is not a simple task. It takes...
Qualitative Data Analysis Methods 101: The Big 6 Methods (Including Examples)
Qualitative Data Analysis MethodsThe "Big 6" Qualitative Methods Explained Simply - With Examples 📚By: Kerryn Warren (PhD) | Reviewed By: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - Qualitative Analysis Methods Qualitative data analysis is about making...
How To Read Journal Articles Quickly & Efficiently For Your Literature Review
How To Read Journal Articles - FasterFast-Track Your Literature Review By Focusing On Three SectionsBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | May 2020f you’ve just started your literature review process, you’re probably sitting on a pile of scientific journal...
How To Write Your Introduction Chapter (7 Simple Steps)
Writing Your Dissertation IntroductionA Simple Explainer With Examples + Free TemplateBy: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By Dr Eunice Rautenbach (D. Tech) | Updated August 2025TL;DR - The Introduction Chapter Your introduction chapter sets the stage for your entire...
25+ Essential Apps To Help You Write Your Dissertation Or Thesis
25+ Dissertation & Thesis Writing AppsEverything You Need To Optimise Your Research JourneyContributors: Derek Jansen (MBA), Kerryn Warren (PhD) & David Phair (PhD) | May 2024ompleting your dissertation or thesis requires a hearty investment of...
How To Write A Literature Review (3-Step Process)
How To Write A Literature ReviewA Plain-Language Explainer With Examples + Free Template 📝By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated March 2025uality research is about building onto the existing work of...
How To Write A Research Proposal: 5 Straightforward Steps
How To Write A Research ProposalA Straightforward How-To Guide + Free Template 📝By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | Updated March 2025riting up a strong research proposal for a dissertation or thesis is much...