Factors That Influenced the Persistence of Minority Doctoral Students: Dissertation Critique Essay

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Introduction

The dissertation selected for the analysis is written by Caroline Walden Hamilton and is called Factors that Influenced the Persistence of Minority Doctoral Students at Northeast Research University. Investigation of the given paper will help to conclude about the effectiveness of selected methodology, use of resources, appropriate selection of materials for the literature review section, and the relevance of conclusions made by the author. For this reason, all parts of the research are investigated with the primary goal to determine the dissertation’s contribution to the development of the given topic and its ability to answer research questions offered by it.

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Problem and Purpose

Starting the analysis of the paper, it should be said that from the first lines, the topic and the central theme of the work becomes apparent. Hamilton (1998) states that the major aim of the study is to “address the gap in the literature about conditions that affect the persistence of underrepresented, minority doctoral students” (p. 1). In such a way, from the very beginning of the research, the author sets a background and introduces the question that will guide the work and influence all the following sections. Readers acquire the idea of the whole work, which contributes to its better understanding and analysis.

The theoretical background for the investigation if formed by appealing to previous research projects that also delve into the same problem. For instance, Hamilton (1998) uses assumptions from past studies related to the theme of minority persistence to emphasize the importance of the analyzed question and evidence its relevance (p.3). The given approach contributes to the formation of a theoretical background needed for the improved understanding of the topic and readers’ involvement.

Moreover, by conducting prior research, the author outlines existing gaps in knowledge and shows the increased importance of her work, which is designed to eliminate them and create the full image of the chosen problematic issue.

The topic of the research is also selected regarding some personal knowledge of the investigator as the tendency is observed in graduate schools and other educational establishments. Hamilton (1998) assumes that from her own experience, the investigation of the given trend will contribute to the acquisition of valuable information and its use to solve current problems topical for the representatives of minority (African-Americans and Latino students) (p. 4).

The integration of the personal and empirical knowledge acquired from observation is vital for this type of paper as it helps to create a solid background essential for the formulation of appropriate conclusions and recommendations regarding the selected problem.

In the first sections, the author manages to successfully create the theory that is needed for the improved understanding of all following findings and develops it to employ regarding the theme. Thus, she formulates research questions and hypotheses that drive the subsequent research and outlines the fact that the literature review section will provide credible evidence proving the basic assumptions and helping to list factors that influence minorities’ persistence.

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Moreover, by formulating a series of sub-questions, Hamilton (1998) develops her theory and demonstrates the direction selected for the study (p. 6). It is a vital component of the dissertation as it helps to follow the author’s idea and her vision of the whole project, which is critical for building and development of the theory.

The theory offered by the author is also tested and proven by other researchers working in the same area. Thus, Hamilton (1998) assumes that the existing literature reveals that Black and Latin students are underrepresented in all fields of graduate school and relevant spheres; however, this situation can be improved by (p. 17). In such a way, the level of persistence directly impacts the chances of individuals to succeed and their opportunities to contribute to communities and greater society (Hamilton, 1998, p. 17). The theory becomes tested via the use of relevant resources and appeals to some existing real-life situations, demonstrating that there is a need for an in-depth investigation of the problem.

In such a way, due to the outlined factors, the problem has a high practical utility. The results of the investigation can help to improve the quality of life of the affected minorities by offering factors that serve as barriers to their better engagement. At the same time, a better understanding of the conditions that affect the persistence of underrepresented doctoral students is vital for the introduction of change in communities to make them better. That is why the paper can affect stakeholder groups and be used as the source of information to initiate debates associated with the question.

In general, the author manages to create the appropriate basis needed for improved comprehension of the dissertation. Hamilton clearly defines the goals of the paper, sets research questions, and states the problem that will be discussed in the next parts of the work. It helps to follow the main ideas and understand the investigator’s vision better.

Literature Review

To create the theoretical framework appropriate for the discussion and debates, Hamilton uses a literature review as one of the central methodological tools. Because of the high relevance of the selected issue and its growing popularity at that period of time (1998), the author can choose from a vast pool of sources devoted to this very problem. For this reason, the adherence to this approach can be considered a justified step as it will suffice the goals of the research and help to familiarize readers with the existing perspectives on the discussed questions, their importance, and other authors’ visions of the problematic situation.

The type of research presupposes that only academic and scholarly sources can be used because of the need for the high credibility of data and its relevance. Under these conditions, Hamilton (1998) employs mainly scientific reports, reliable datasheets, and other studies to ensure that no misconceptions or false information are used in the dissertation. In presenting some valuable theories or concepts critical for the improved understanding of the discussed topic, she appeals to authors who either or offered it in their projects, which helps to trace the origin of assumptions and avoid plagiarism. The selected pieces of evidence are reviewed in a logical order to move from one model to another to discuss all offered aspects, which is vital for a better comprehension of the work.

Another advantage of the discussed literature review is the attempt to involve as many streams as it is possible to guarantee the in-depth analysis of the problem. Thus, the researcher uses books, reports, research articles, and interviews’ data to form the framework for the discussion and demonstrate that the selected representatives of minorities experience some tendencies that might affect their persistence levels and situation in graduate schools. The given diversity of literature streams helps to avoid serious gaps if knowledge and establish a sufficient basis for further discussion regarding the relevance or irrelevance of the offered hypothesis.

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The utilization of multiple figures and detailed description and discussion of various research paradigms are other crucial factors contributing to the increased importance of the dissertation and, at the same time, evidencing the thoroughness of the literature review. Hamilton (1998) avoids shallow definitions and prefers to quote authors’ assumptions and their ideas to prove her vision and establish a further direction for debates. It becomes a useful approach that helps to acquire additional information about the nature of sources she utilizes and understand the ideas offered by other investigators working in the same field, which is vital for the formation of the knowledge base.

At the same time, all references are selected regarding their relevance and the ability to shed light on the discussed problem and contribute to its better understanding. The author remains objective when offering one or another source to prove her assumptions, which is critically important for this type of work. It helps to analyze it from various perspectives and improve awareness about the existing barriers impacting the results of the minority and their persistence. At the same time, the author offers multiple research works to discuss one thought or idea, which is also important regarding the credibility of findings and conclusions made by the researchers and the opportunity to use them in further research.

The quality of sources is a vital element of any dissertation as it should meet requirements to relevance, practical utility, and accuracy of data. Analyzing the body of the paper and the reference list, one can see that Hamilton (1998) mainly employs academic journals, books, and reports that possess a high level of credibility. The given pool of literature evidences the depth of the research and objectivity of information that is used to prove the basic theories or statements provided by the researched. In such a way, an appropriate level of evidence and the attempt to utilize only scholarly sources can be considered an advantage of the dissertation.

At the end of the literature review section, the author summarizes the information presented here and outlines the main works that are used to create the theoretical framework of the dissertation. For instance, Hamilton (1998) states that “decision analysis research of Kadushin (1969) and Simon (1993) have augmented the conceptual foundation of this study” (p. 42). The given summary helps readers to understand the main idea and the direction of the research and trace how the selected literature is integrated into the project to formulate the research paradigm and justify the hypothesis. It becomes another element of the paper, proving its practical utility and relevance.

In general, evaluating the literature review section, it is possible to conclude that the author manages to analyze all selected sources effectively. Hamilton offers not only data from various studies; however, she discusses them with the attempt to outline the most important findings and formulate her research paradigm. Moreover, the selected numbers and statistics are also explained with the primary goal to avoid misunderstandings about their use in the paper and demonstrate the scope of the problem.

In such a way, it is possible to conclude that the literature review section is sufficient in terms of this dissertation and creates the framework needed for the following research and discussion of findings.

Research Design

The methodology is another fundamental part of any study as it preconditions the choice of the approach, the ability to analyze data correctly, and outcomes along with their credibility. For this reason, the evaluation of this section will help to determine the level of the dissertation, its character, and the author’s ability to answer all research questions formulated to assess the selected problem and provide its in-depth description. Hamilton (1998) introduces a separate section Methodology and Data Collection, to outline the paradigm she used to conduct the research (p. 44). It helps readers to understand the tools that are employed, the sample, and the choice of measures to collect data.

First of all, as it has already been stated, the author formulates detailed research questions and the hypothesis. Hamilton (1998) provides a list in the first section of the paper and offers two primary questions:

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  • What are the institutional factors (e.g. mentoring, social support systems) that influence the persistence of minority doctoral recipients?
  • What strategies do minority doctoral recipients see themselves as employing to persevere through their doctoral studies? Are the strategies the same that White doctoral recipients believe to be important in their educational careers? (p. 6).

There are also multiple sub-questions needed to avoid gaps in knowledge and collect data more effectively. The author also explains that these questions will be asked throughout a paper, and answers will be used as the basis for the discussion if there are some barriers and problems related to the selected issue. This approach can be described as a sufficient one as it contributes to an improved understanding of the research paradigm and the direction of the study.

There is also a clear formulation of the working hypothesis, and Hamilton (1998) presents it at the end of the paper to state if her assumptions were proven or refuted in the course of the research (p. 98). For instance, the first idea says that “institutional factors (i.e. mentoring, departmental structure) and environmental factors ( e.g. environmental pull) appear to have the strongest effect on doctoral students (minority and nonminority)” and it is confirmed by the collected data (Hamilton, 1998, p. 98). For this reason, the ability to prove the hypothesis evidences the correct choice of the methodology and overall success.

The peculiarities of the selected problem, along with the primary and secondary research questions, preconditions the choice of research methods. The author adheres to the qualitative paradigm and conducts an interview among the selected population to acquire information and process it to formulate findings. Hamilton (1998) also states that “the qualitative research design of this study involves a triangulation or multimethod approach that analyzes the sample, control group and focus groups’ responses, telephone interview transcripts along with related literature” (p. 49). It justifies the choice of the research paradigm and demonstrates that the employment of this method is sufficient regarding the existing goals and directions of the study.

There is also a detailed description of the sample, which is critically important for any research project. The author interviews sixteen African-American and two Latino doctoral recipients with doctoral degrees. It means that a purposive sampling method is used in terms of the project. Its choice is justified by the fact that the researcher demands data from a particular cohort to answer all research questions and prove or refute the hypothesis. For this reason, the given approach to sampling is sufficient and helps to collect information that is vital for the following research.

Moreover, due to the selection of this methodology, the author avoids subjectivity of conclusions or gaps in knowledge related to the theme. The literature is a useful tool to evaluate the state of a particular group and conclude about factors that influence them at the moment. That is why regarding the qualitative paradigm, Hamilton (1998) manages to attain high objectivity levels and provide readers and other investigators with credible information demonstrating the scope of the problem and outlining limits that exist in the sphere, and that should be considered to improve the state of communities.

Finally, sufficient research design helps the author to generalize and formulate some assumptions and tendencies peculiar to the problem. It is an essential element of any dissertation as it aims at the in-depth discussion of all forces impacting the selected area and possible ways to introduce positive changes. At the end of the methodology section, Hamilton (1998) cogitates about its importance and ways how the acquired data can be structured and implemented in the body of the research to achieve success and conclude about the state of the minority at the moment.

Resting on this information, it is possible to conclude that the methodology section is appropriate regarding the given scope of the research, the hypothesis, and research questions. The investigator acquires data in effective ways and analyzes it by using previous findings and framework created in the literature review section. The depth of the analysis is also appropriate because only relevant and credible information is used. The interview helps to acquire the demanded evidence and discuss the existing problems along with the ways to solve them, which is vital for this type of work.

Findings

In two final sections of the dissertation, which are Results: Presentation of Findings and Conclusions and Recommendations, the author explains all findings in a straightforward way. Hamilton (1998) uses all acquired information to conclude that “a cultural ethos appears to be a significant element that influenced the Black students’ drive to attain the doctorate” (p. 104). This idea rests on the results of the investigation and literature review. The investigator avoids complex characterizations or sophisticated statements; instead, she gives a clear and detailed explanation of the current state of the problem and possible barriers and limits.

Additionally, Hamilton emphasizes the fact that the three working hypotheses are proven in the course of the research with the help of collected data. It evidences the effectiveness of the approach used by an investigator and the choice of sufficient research methods. Moreover, she outlines the fact that all research questions are also answered and contribute to the improved understanding of the topic and create the basis for further discussion. It also demonstrates the correct plan of the investigation and the adherence to the paradigm selected at the beginning of the study.

Another critical element of the two ending sections is the integration of the information presented in the literature review. Presenting findings, Hamilton (1998) not only uses her own assumptions and data acquired with the help of interviews, but she appeals to the previous research works as they discuss the same problem and are helpful in increasing awareness levels among readers and other investigators. The employment of multiple sources of information and their synthesis helps to avoid generalizations and provide only relevant and credible data vital for the selected problem, which is critically important for the dissertation.

Finally, the author ends the project with her own recommendations regarding the research and the problem analyzed in the paper. Hamilton (1998) concludes that “this study suggests commonalties in persistence patterns that certainly encourage further research and may inform polity (p. 107). It means that there is still a significant need for the future work aimed at the improvement of the state of this population group and elimination of barriers that might limit individuals in their attempts to engage in the educational process and succeed in this very field. The author also encourages researchers to investigate possible changes to existing policies that can introduce positive changes and eliminate all potential cases of discrimination or underrepresentation.

Altogether, resting on all findings acquired when analyzing the dissertation, it is possible to conclude that the presented project can be taken as an example of a well-structured and appropriate research work. The author uses sufficient research methodology, relevant literature, and her own findings to answer all research questions and evaluate the selected problem. The hypothesis and theoretical framework suggested as the basis for the investigation also contribute to a better understanding of the analyzed topic and its scope. For this reason, the dissertation remains a credible and relevant source of knowledge that can be used by other researchers in their projects.

Reference

Hamilton, C. (1998). Factors that influenced the persistence of minority doctoral students at Northeast Research University [Doctoral dissertation]. State University of New York.

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IvyPanda. 2021. "Factors That Influenced the Persistence of Minority Doctoral Students: Dissertation Critique." June 20, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/factors-that-influenced-the-persistence-of-minority-doctoral-students-dissertation-critique/.

1. IvyPanda. "Factors That Influenced the Persistence of Minority Doctoral Students: Dissertation Critique." June 20, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/factors-that-influenced-the-persistence-of-minority-doctoral-students-dissertation-critique/.


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