Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

Project: Developing a Qualitative Research Plan

For the final project, students will develop a Qualitative Research Plan. As such, students have two choices:

Continue to develop the abbreviated qualitative plan completed in RSCH 8100, or

Develop a new plan

Please note:

This is not meant to be a full research plan in that you will not be constructing data collection instruments or generating data to use. The final project is meant to develop understanding about the relationships between research questions, research design, and data organization and analysis. For this project, you will consider more the design and methodology of the qualitative research you propose.

Some, but not all, course assignments lead into the final project.

The Final Project should include the following:

Title

Opening statement (a clear statement demonstrating that the focus of the study is on a significant problem worthy of study)

Background of the study

Summary of the literature framing history of the project, using 10 articles related to the problem

Gaps and/or deficiencies in prior research

Importance of present study

Why the study should be pursued

For whom is it important

Problem statement (describes the need for increased understanding about the issue to be studied)

Purpose of the study

Research design (narrative, grounded theory, ethnography, case study, phenomenology)

Intent (understand, describe, explore, develop, etc.)

Central phenomenon of the study

General definition of central phenomenon

Research question(s)

Central question(s)

Subquestions (where applicable)

Theoretical or conceptual framework

Theoretical or conceptual basis and origin of, or source for, theory or describe concepts

Where and how theory has been applied or concepts evidenced previously

The major propositions or hypotheses of the theory, if used

How the theory relates to the present study or state how the concepts are important to the present study and provide a lens for it; rationale for that theoretical expectation or conceptual lens

Nature of the study

Design

Paradigm (qualitative)

Design (select and apply one of the following: narrative, grounded theory, ethnography, case study, phenomenology)

Rationale for the design, with explanations why other likely choices would be less effective

Methodology

Participants

Site

Researcher's role in data collection procedures

Sampling

Type of sampling

How the sample will be drawn

Sample size and why chosen in relation to population size

Data collection procedures (interviews focus groups, observations, etc.)

Data analysis and interpretation plan: indicate what analytical tools and procedures will be applied to each set of data collected.

Limitations

Potential design and/or methodological weaknesses of the study

Explain how the weaknesses will be addressed

Threats to quality and how they will be potentially addressed in the study

Ethical Concerns

Describe your proposed procedure for providing informed consent and any ethical concerns with which you may need to deal.

Significance of the study

Practical contributions of the study

For whom the study is important

Implications for social change