"Because of its clarity, reliability and readability, Completing Your Qualitative Dissertation is the ultimate "DIY guide" for each and every chapter of the dissertation. This book will empower students as they work to prepare for conversations with advisors and committee members, through the various milestones en route to transcript approval. I strongly suggest that anyone embarking on the qualitative process procure a copy, as it has no equal on the market today."
Tal Grinfas-David Ph.D.
Emory University, Atlanta
This book fills a gap in the qualitative research literature by addressing one of the key challenges facing doctoral students: writing a dissertation. Authors Linda Dale Bloomberg and Marie Volpe distill years of experience into a first-of-its-kind, highly practical resource for graduate students. Blending the conceptual, theoretical, and practical, the book becomes a dissertation in action―a logical and cohesive explanation and illustration of content and process. This Second Edition offers doctoral students comprehensive guidance and accessible, practical tools for navigating each step of the qualitative dissertation journey. While key features that distinguish the book′s unique approach are maintained, this edition responds to recent developments in the field.
Dr. Linda Bloomberg is a cofounder of Columbia University’s Global Learning and Leadership Institute, and previously served as senior researcher for the South African Human Sciences Research Council and National Institute for Personnel Research, focusing on change management, diversity initiatives, and workplace learning. For the past two decades she has served as dissertation chair and subject matter expert in doctoral programs where she also develops curriculum for graduate research courses. Linda consults to numerous research and nonprofit advisory boards, including the Future Talent Council, Global Advisory Board for Faculty and Staff Development, Mentor in Residence for SAGE Publications, and educational blog contributor to Teachers College Publications. She presents regularly at national and international professional conferences on topics related to qualitative research, online learning, and professional development for online pedagogy, and is the author of multiple publications in the fields of qualitative research, organizational evaluation, leadership development, ensuring equitable student success, adult learning, and distance education, and a contributor to The Sage Encyclopedia of Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation (2018). Her two most recent books include the 5th edition of Completing your Qualitative Dissertation: A Road Map From Beginning to End (2023) published by SAGE and Designing and Delivering Effective Online Instruction: How to Engage Adult Learners (2021) published by Teachers College Press, Columbia University. The latter publication was nominated for the 2021 and 2022 Division of Distance Learning for the Association of Educational Communications and Technology and for the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) award for Excellence in Instructional and Teaching Practice (2024). Dr. Bloomberg holds master’s degrees in counseling psychology, organizational psychology, and adult education. In 2006, she completed her doctorate in adult education and organizational learning at Columbia University. In 2021 she received a diploma in executive coaching from the Goizueta Business School, Emory University, and is qualified as an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF).
Marie Volpe is adjunct faculty in adult learning and leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she teaches dissertation seminars and serves as advisor to doctoral candidates. She conducts workshops for teachers in Mongolia and lectures on qualitative research methods at Suzhou University, China. After a career spanning thirty-five years with Exxon Corporation, where she held the position of manager of education and development, Dr. Volpe embarked on a second career in higher education, in which she has practiced for the past twenty years. She has contributed to publications in the areas of staff development and informal learning in the workplace. She received her master’s in organizational psychology and doctorate in adult education from Columbia University.
