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