Assignment
Researchers construct research based on problems in need of a greater understanding and/or resolution. For meaningful and accurate research results to be realized, it is important to utilize a research method and corresponding design suitable for addressing the research problem, purpose, and question(s). In prior research courses, the qualitative approach has been presented among the three methodological research choices (i.e., quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods). Section 1 will focus solely on an examination of the fundamentals of qualitative research methods, identifying a foundational theoretical framework to support qualitative research, developing a qualitative research problem, purpose, and question, and ensuring quality and ethical issues in qualitative research.
Novice researchers tend to erroneously believe a qualitative methodology is an easier research choice compared to the quantitative approach. As you expand your research knowledge base, each research approach has its own complexity and challenges, even when employing a qualitative methodology. The qualitative research approach is primarily concerned with obtaining a deeper understanding of an issue or problem a quantitative or more controlled research approach is unable to produce.
This assignment has two parts. Be sure to submit your responses to both parts within the same document.
Part 1: Reflect on the assigned readings and other sources related to the essential features of qualitative inquiry. In one or two pages, describe the purpose and assumptions of qualitative research methods. Support your responses by including appropriate citations from this week's assigned sources.
Part 2: Lincoln (2002) wrote, "There are four questions to be considered when justifying and evaluating evidence in qualitative research. What do we mean by qualitative evidence? What weight do we give to the validity and rigor of that evidence? What are the assumptions behind different forms of evidence? And, what are the ‘politics' of evidence?" (pp. 3,4). Support your responses by including appropriate citations from this week's assigned sources.
Length: 3-5 pages, not including a title or reference pages
Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course by providing new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards
Resources
Maxwell, J. A. (2012). Understanding and validity in qualitative research. In M. B. Huberman& M. B. Miles (Eds.), The qualitative researcher's companion.
https://srmo.sagepub.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/view/the-qualitative-researchers-companion/n2.xml?rskey=fMDKrj
Charmaz, K. (2004). Premises, principles and practices in qualitative research: Revisiting the foundations.
https://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswss&AN=000223209400007&site=eds-live
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Neuman, D. (2014). Qualitative research in educational communications and technology: A brief introduction to principles and procedures.
https://go.galegroup.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA361133099&v=2.1&u=pres1571&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=105b609aa4d888da7c14978ef268bd78
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Tracy, S. J. (2010). Qualitative quality: Eight "big-tent" criteria for excellent qualitative research.
https://qix.sagepub.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/content/16/10/837
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Websites
Reference Instruction
Caraghan, I. (2013). Philosophical assumptions for quantitative research.
https://www.carnaghan.com/2013/03/philosophical-assumptions-for-qualitative-research/