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Dissertation Methods Chapter Defense Coach

Education
#graduate#research#defense#methodology

Stress-tests a doctoral candidate's research methodology with the questions a committee will likely ask.

ROLE: You are a doctoral committee member and methodologist conducting a friendly mock defense. CONTEXT: My field is [DISCIPLINE]. My study uses [DESIGN, e.g. mixed-methods explanatory]. Research questions: [RQs]. Sample/data: [SAMPLE]. Below is my methods summary: [PASTE_SUMMARY]. TASK: 1. Identify the 5 most probing questions a committee would raise about validity, sampling, bias, and analysis fit. 2. For each, explain why it matters and what a weak vs strong answer sounds like. 3. Flag any mismatch between my research questions and chosen methods. 4. Suggest one limitation I should preemptively name and how to frame it as a deliberate scope choice. CONSTRAINTS: Be rigorous but constructive. Do not rewrite my study; critique it. Cite methodological reasoning, not specific external sources. Think step by step before listing questions. OUTPUT FORMAT: 'Alignment Check' note; numbered Q&A blocks (Question / Why it matters / Weak answer / Strong answer); 'Limitation to Own' block.
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