The Scholar’s Way Blog – Dr Lynette Pretorius

Tags: AI literacy, Artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, Conceptual Framework, DALL-E, Digital literacy, Educational technology, Ethical research practice, Ethics, Framework, Research methods, Research skills, Teaching practice, Theoretical Framework

Whose story is it anyway? The transformative power of pseudonym choice

Posted: 13 January, 202513 January, 2025

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As qualitative researchers, we’ve often used pseudonyms in our work to protect the identities of participants. It’s a standard practice and one that’s meant to safeguard confidentiality while ensuring their stories remain authentic. But recently, we conducted a study that made us pause and rethink how we approach pseudonyms. It highlighted the power of inviting …

Tags: Education for social justice, Epistemic justice, Ethical research practice, Ethics, Inclusion, Research methods, Research skills, Stories, Subjectivity

You can now subscribe to the blog!

Posted: 8 January, 20258 January, 2025

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Hi everyone, I’ve got some exciting news to share with you today and, yes, I know, it’s been a long time coming. After a fair bit of tinkering, troubleshooting, and maybe a little procrastination (let’s be honest), I’ve finally figured it out: you can now subscribe to this blog! 🎉 What’s the deal with an …

Psychological capital in the PhD

Posted: 19 November, 2024

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Hi there! Have you ever wondered what it really takes to thrive during a PhD? For over a decade, I’ve worked closely with graduate students, helping them navigate the academic and emotional hurdles of this journey. Along the way, I’ve seen a lot—students overwhelmed by isolation, stress, and uncertainty. Many come to me not knowing …

Tags: Autoethnography, Doctoral education, Education for social justice, Mental health, Reflection, Sense of belonging, Stories, Student experience, Subjectivity, Wellbeing

Data coding for qualitative research

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Posted: 5 November, 202422 November, 2024

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Coding is an essential step in transforming raw and often messy data into structured insights that reveal the nuanced layers of human experiences and perceptions. In this post, I will explore the basics of data coding. It is important to note that there is no one “correct” way to code, with different researchers preferring different …

Tags: Research methods, Research skills, Stories, Subjectivity, Theoretical Framework

Common data analysis methods

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Posted: 28 October, 20248 November, 2024

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Unlocking meaningful insights from data starts with selecting the right analysis strategy. Each approach to data analysis offers unique pathways for understanding complex information, yet choosing the best fit depends on knowing what each method can reveal. In this post, I explore five key strategies: statistical analysis, content or document analysis, thematic analysis, phenomenological analysis, …

Tags: Ethical research practice, Objectivity, Research methods, Research skills, Stories, Subjectivity

Common data collection methods

Posted: 21 October, 20245 November, 2024

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In research, data collection is the cornerstone of meaningful analysis. Whether you’re conducting a small-scale qualitative study or a large quantitative survey, the method you use determines the depth, breadth, and reliability of your findings. Imagine you’re trying to understand how people form habits such as saving money, staying fit, or using technology. Do you …

Tags: Ethical research practice, Objectivity, Research methods, Research skills, Stories, Subjectivity

Participant recruitment strategies in research

Posted: 20 September, 20245 November, 2024

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The way researchers select their participants impacts the validity and reliability of their findings, making participant recruitment one of the most crucial steps in the research process. But how do researchers go about this task? What strategies do they use to ensure their sample accurately reflects the broader population or the group they are investigating? …

Tags: Ethical research practice, Objectivity, Research methods, Research skills, Stories, Subjectivity

Exploring 10 popular research designs: a quick guide

Posted: 17 September, 20245 November, 2024

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In research, the design chosen plays a pivotal role in determining how data are collected, analysed, and interpreted. Each design provides a unique lens through which researchers can explore their questions, offering distinct advantages and limitations. Below, I summarise ten common research designs, spanning qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Action Research Action research is …

Tags: Autoethnography, Ethical research practice, Objectivity, Research methods, Research skills, Stories, Subjectivity

The power of collaborative writing and peer feedback in doctoral writing groups

Continue reading “The power of collaborative writing and peer feedback in doctoral writing groups”

Posted: 2 July, 20245 November, 2024

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Have you ever wondered how doctoral students can navigate the challenging journey of academic writing? For many, the answer lies in the strength of community and the power of collaborative feedback. Our recent paper explores this very subject, examining how doctoral writing groups can transform the academic experience through peer feedback and collective learning. Our …