Housing research dissertation meeting 5: June 2026 agenda

Housing research dissertation meeting 5: June 4, 2026 agenda

Meeting topics

1. Methods Review

2. Troubleshooting Qualitative data analysis review

The following note is for meeting briefing on the 2 meeting topics

Regarding the subject of doing a Housing Studies dissertation project, please give 4 brief advices on the following review tasks:

1. Research methods design quality review (re: dissertation report chapter 3: research methodology) and research methods findings quality review (re: dissertation report chapter 5: discussion of research findings).

2. Comments on "qualitative data analysis troubleshooting" (re: dissertation report chapter 5: discussion of research findings). ** consider using critical realism for discussion.

Here are 4 brief advices you can use for a Housing Studies dissertation review:

1.    Check alignment first. In Chapter 3, confirm that the research philosophy, approach, data sources, sampling, and analysis methods clearly match the research objectives and questions. A strong methodology should read as a logical chain, not a list of methods.

2.    Test methodological justification. Review whether each chosen method is explained and defended, especially why it fits a housing topic such as policy analysis, tenant experience, affordability, or neighborhood change. If the chapter only describes methods without justifying them, the design quality is weak.

3.    Judge findings by evidence use. In Chapter 5, check whether the discussion of findings stays anchored to the actual data, links back to the research questions, and distinguishes between results, interpretation, and speculation. Good findings discussion should show how the evidence supports the conclusion, not just restate quotes or tables.

4.    Troubleshoot qualitative analysis carefully. Look for common problems such as weak coding, over-quoting, unclear theme development, selective interpretation, or themes that do not answer the research questions. Also check whether the researcher shows how contradictory cases, missing voices, or limited sample size were handled.

A simple rule is: Chapter 3 should prove the study was designed well, and Chapter 5 should prove the findings were analyzed and interpreted rigorously.

*** this review task is performed after the first draft of the Housing Studies dissertation report has been written.

An additional reading: A study note on research theme, research issues, research approaches and research methods

Relevant study materials: meeting 4 content.; and qualitative data coding (video).