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      Using theory to escape the descriptive impasse

      Bruce, Toni
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      Bruce Using theory.pdf
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       edlinked.soe.waikato.ac.nz
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      Bruce, T. (2010). Using theory to escape the descriptive impasse. Waikato Journal of Education, 15(2), 7-19.
      Permanent Research Commons link: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/6154
      Abstract
      In this article, I focus on the importance of theory for undertaking and making sense of research. In particular, I consider one of the most common challenges for postgraduate students, which is how to shift from describing findings (what I found) to theorising about them (why my findings turned out this way). Using a case study approach, I describe my engagement with a particular set of data and demonstrate how different theories led me to focus on different elements and draw different conclusions. I conclude that explicitly shifting my theoretical approach ended up guiding me towards a much stronger interpretation of my descriptive findings.
      Date
      2010
      Type
      Journal Article
      Publisher
      Faculty of Education, University of Waikato
      Rights
      © 2010 Waikato Journal of Education. It is posted here by permission for personal use.
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      • Education Papers [1408]
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