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- Grand Canyon University Library
- Research Guides
- Secondary
- Quantitative Doctoral Research
- Theoretical Foundations
Quantitative Doctoral Research
This guide will help direct you on how to use the library during your doctoral journey.
InterLibrary Loan (ILL)
If you have the citation information for an article or book but can't find the full text, you can submit an InterLibrary Loan (ILL) request.
Interlibrary loan service is for current students, faculty, and staff. For alumni resources, visit: Alumni Resources
Books for Developing Theories
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Hypothesis Testing and Model Selection in the Social Sciences
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ISBN: 9781462525676Publication Date: 2016-03-09 -
Theory Construction and Model-Building Skills, Second Edition
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ISBN: 9781462542444Publication Date: 2020-02-19 -
The Handbook of Multilevel Theory, Measurement, and Analysis
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ISBN: 9781433830013Publication Date: 2019-01-01 -
Multilevel Network Analysis for the Social Sciences
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ISBN: 9783319245201Publication Date: 2015-12-16 -
Building Your Framework or Model
To develop support for the framework or model you will use as the foundation for your research:
- Keep track of the models or theories used in the empirical research you collect for your literature review.
- Many research method guidebooks in Sage Research Methods will also discuss the theories and frameworks that guide those methods.
- Look for books on theory in your field.
- For example, search "Education Theory" in LopeCat below.
- Examine the models and frameworks of published dissertations.
- Use Google Scholar to locate the original works that founded the theory.
- Understanding, Selecting, and Integrating a Theoretical Framework in Dissertation Research: Creating the Blueprint for Your "House" This link opens in a new windowThe theoretical framework is one of the most important aspects in the research process, yet is often misunderstood by doctoral candidates as they prepare their dissertation research study. The importance of theory-driven thinking and acting is emphasized in relation to the selection of a topic, the development of research questions, the conceptualization of the literature review, the design approach, and the analysis plan for the dissertation study.
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Theory-Based Data Analysis for the Social Sciences
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ISBN: 9781412994354Publication Date: 2012-12-11
Searching in SAGE Research Methods
- Sage Research Methods This link opens in a new window
Full Text
Sage Research Methods is the essential online resource for anyone doing research or learning how to do research. With more than 800 books, reference works, journal articles, and videos from Sage's world-renowned research methods list, Sage Research Methods provides information on writing a research question, conducting a literature review, choosing a research method, collecting and analyzing data, and writing up the findings. Sage Research Methods' coverage spans the full range of research methods used in science, technology, medicine, and the humanities.
Using Sage Research Methods
You can begin a search for any topic in the main search bar, or use the advanced search.
Narrow down results using the limiters on the right.
- Content type is particularly useful.
- You will need to click the plus signs to see the check boxes to uncheck content types you don't want. Books will tend to be longer and more in depth. The reference sources are great for quick definitions and as sources for DQ questions.
Browse through methods by browsing the Little Green Books (for quantitative methods) or Little Blue Books (for qualitative methods). Just click the links on the home page.
Searching Published Dissertations
- Dissertations & Theses Global This link opens in a new windowFull Text
ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Global (PQDT Global) simplifies searching for dissertations and theses via a single access point to explore an extensive, trusted collection of 4 million graduate works, with 2 million in full text. Designated as an official offsite repository for the U.S. Library of Congress, PQDT Global offers comprehensive historic and ongoing coverage for North American works and significant and growing international coverage from a multiyear program of expanding partnerships with international universities and national associations.
Searching Full Text in ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
- To look for a possible instrument, look for a dissertation that uses the same research method and or the same framework as your proposed study.
- Specifics of the research method and the framework may not appear in the abstract, so you may need to search the full text of the dissertations.
- To search full text, change the menu after "in" from "Anywhere except full text" to "Document text - FT."
- Enclose exact phrases in "quotes" to keep terms together.
Searching in Google Scholar
- Google Scholar This link opens in a new windowUsing this link to Google Scholar will include the ability to link to full text articles available in GCU library databases. Click “Full Text @ GCU” to access over 46,000 full-text journal titles or click “Find it @ GCU” to view additional options, including requesting via InterLibrary Loan.
Advanced Searches in Google Scholar
- To find the Advanced Scholar Search, click the Menu option located in the upper left corner.
- Click on Advanced Search.
- Searching for a phrase.
- Click the menu in the upper left (the three bars) and choose " Advanced Search".
- Enter the name of the theory or the title of an article in the box for "with the exact phrase."
- This will search for the theory across the full text of articles, as the model or theory will generally not be mentioned in the abstract.
- Take note of articles with high "Cited By" numbers, as these are usually seminal sources for the theory. When you have located the original article for a theory, use the "Cited By" link to locate articles that have used that theory.
- Searching for Authors
- Enter an author's last name in "Return articles authored by" to search for an author's articles.
