Highlight changes and additions in yellow. For Chapters 1 and 3: Clarification of Case Study Type

In both Chapter 1 and Chapter 3, the methodology section identifies the use of a qualitative case study approach. However, the specific type of case study—single or multiple—has not been articulated. It is essential to clarify this distinction to ensure methodological alignment with your study objectives. For instance:

Yin’s Typology

A single case study would be appropriate if your focus is on an in-depth exploration of one specific, bounded system or case.

A multiple case study could be used if you aim to compare and analyze patterns or variations across two or more cases.

Stake’s Typology (Thematic Focus)
Intrinsic Case Study: Conducted to understand a specific, unique case for its own sake, not to generalize findings or test a theory.
Instrumental Case Study: Explores a particular case to understand a broader issue or phenomenon beyond the immediate case.
Collective Case Study: Similar to Yin’s “multiple case study,” where several cases are examined together to explore commonalities or differences related to the research question.
Recommendation: Clearly specify the type of case study in both Chapter 1 (“Introduction to Research Methodology and Design”) and Chapter 3 (“Research Methodology and Design”) and provide a rationale for this choice. Support your argument with references to methodologists such as from Yin or Stake, who are leading authorities on case study methodologies.

Alignment with Methodological Experts
While the document mentions elements of case study methodology, explicit citations of Robert Stake or Robert Yin’s frameworks are absent. These frameworks provide critical guidance on case study design, data collection, and analysis.

Recommendation: Integrate support from either Stake’s or Yin’s work to:

Justify your case study approach.

Guide the structure of your case study design (e.g., defining the bounded system, developing propositions, selecting data sources).

Discuss strategies for maintaining rigor, such as triangulation and case selection criteria.

Alignment of Research Questions with Case Study Design
The research questions in Chapter 1 are well-formulated to explore mentorship dynamics and their influence on career development. However, they could be refined to better align with the boundaries and scope of a case study approach. For example:

Instead of asking broadly, “How do mentorship relations shape the self-efficacy beliefs of BW in academia?” consider rephrasing to, “How do mentorship relations within [specific contexts/bounded systems] shape the self-efficacy beliefs of BW in academia?”

Recommendation: Modify the research questions to emphasize the bounded system(s) being studied. This alignment will enhance the coherence between the case study design and your research objectives.

Additional Considerations for Chapters 1 and 3
Introduction to Research Methodology and Design (Chapter 1)

Expand on why a case study approach is most appropriate for your research objectives. Highlight its strengths in exploring complex, context-bound phenomena such as mentorship relationships.

Research Methodology and Design (Chapter 3)

Clearly describe the bounded system being studied (e.g., specific institutions, mentoring programs, or demographic groups).

Detail your case selection criteria and sampling strategy. For example, justify your use of purposive and snowball sampling with references to methodologists.

Discuss how thematic analysis will integrate with case study methodology to ensure alignment in data analysis.

Citing Methodological Sources

Reference specific strategies from Yin, such as the use of case study protocols, to strengthen the methodological rigor.

For Chapter 2

Theory Section: The theoretical framework section focuses on Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT). While it provides an overview and relates to the research topic, it lacks the depth of evaluation and synthesis typically expected in a dissertation. A thorough treatment would include:

A chronological overview of the theory’s historical development.
Comprehensive critique of its application across contexts.
Integration of how contemporary studies apply or challenge the theory, especially in the specific context of Black women in academia.
Synthesis and Context: The literature review reads more like a research paper, offering a summary of topics without deeply integrating or synthesizing studies to show gaps, overlaps, and progression in the field. Effective dissertation literature reviews typically demonstrate:

How specific studies build upon or diverge from others.
Clear identification of gaps in the literature.
Justification for the current research based on these gaps.
Expanding this chapter with additional peer-reviewed studies, focusing on both historical and contemporary applications of SCCT, and including broader discussions on mentorship models and systemic barriers would enrich the chapter significantly. This is the most important chapter of your dissertation: The level of depth and evaluation of the entire research within a comprehensive and exhaustive manner allows you to have a clear foundation of the existing knowledge, and of critical value, where you will then contribute upon completion of the study.

Last Completed Projects