Predicting Dissertation Methodology Choice Among Doctoral Candidates at a Faith-Based University

Limited research has investigated dissertation methodology choice and the factors that contribute to this choice. Quantitative research is based in mathematics and scientific positivism, and qualitative research is based in constructivism. These underlying philosophical differences posit the question if certain factors predict dissertation methodology choice. Using the theoretical framework of intersectionality, this predictive, correlational study used archival data to determine if biological sex, ethnicity, age, or religious affiliation predicts dissertation methodology choice. A logistics regression analysis was used to review 398 doctoral dissertations and determine if any of the criterion variables predicted dissertation methodology choice. After analysis, it was determined that none of the criterion variables of biological sex, ethnicity, age, and religious affiliation were statistically significant in predicting dissertation methodology choice.