Part I: Research Topic and Problem
Identify a research topic related to your degree program that would be best approached from a qualitative perspective.
Identify a research problem related to your research topic.
Explain why your selected topic and problem would be best approached from a qualitative perspective.
Qualitative research involves the sampling of a small sample population (Vasileiou et al., 2019). The researcher cannot use a large sample population because it is impossible to collect answers from every person concerning a particular research question. The researcher must therefore select a small representative of the larger population of interest through purposive sampling. When conducting qualitative research, the author or researcher works data analysis differently, including the same features. The data gathered is separated and reduced into the unit, which makes meaning through coding. The researcher uses an interpretive approach inputting the information back together. The concepts in the research are identified through the development of themes. The commonly used data analysis methods include content analysis, thematic analysis, and framework approach. In qualitative research, large data sets are usually produced for text analysis.
Explain how your selected topic and problem relate to your degree program.
Provide a brief summary about what you currently know about your selected topic and problem and why they interest you.
Part II: Exploration
Locate a minimum of three peer-reviewed, empirical journal articles (published within the last five years) that relate to your selected research topic and/or problem. Analyze each article using the criteria outlined in the table below and report your findings within the table.
APA citation
Research problem
Research question(s)
Research design
Sample size and selection
Type of data collected
Data collection procedure(s)
Data analysis procedure(s)
Findings/Conclusions
How does this article substantiate your research topic or problem?
Part III: Formulating a Research Question and Design
Propose a research question for a mock study related to your topic and problem that is appropriate for each research purpose listed in the table below. Explain how your research questions align with and/or support the research purpose.
Research Question(s) Explanation
Exploratory
Descriptive
Explanatory
Consider your research topic and problem in relation to the research questions you proposed and the literature you reviewed in Part II. Provide a response to the question: “What do I want to know about this topic and problem”?
Gather data from interviews and observations to inform your mock study. Qualitative research traditionally employs a single data collection method; however, you are expected to use two methods (i.e., interviews and observations), which will require you to formulate a separate research question and design that can be supported using each data collection method. The purpose of this is to demonstrate your ability to engage in the practice of qualitative research on a specific topic/problem, using multiple approaches. As consumers and producers of research, you must possess a general understanding of the various research approaches and procedures.
Propose a research question and design for a mock study that will collect data using interviews to help you discover the knowledge you seek. Explain why your research question and design are appropriate for your study.
Propose a research question and design for a mock study that will collect data using observations to help you discover the knowledge you seek. Explain why your research question and design are appropriate for your study.
Explain how your mock study will contribute new knowledge to your discipline (i.e., what is the current gap? and how will your research help to fill that gap?).
Part IV: Planning
Begin planning your qualitative mock study by explaining your approach for each item outlined in the table below. Be sure to explain how your approach will change based on the data collection method used.
Approach and Rationale
Population, Sample Size, and Selection
Consider data saturation and factors that impact saturation. Some designs require a larger sample and others could have a sample size of just one.
Type of Data to Collect
Examples include perceptions of people regarding a phenomenon, narrative stories of people’s experiences, artifacts, and written material.
How Data Will Be Collected
Examples include interviews, focus groups, and written accounts.
How Data Will Be Analyzed
Examples include words, themes, content, and use of software programs.
How Results Will Be Presented
Examples include use of participant’s words, percentage and number of participants who expressed a theme, and major themes or outliers.
Ethical Considerations
Examples include confidentiality, deception, disclosure, and moral integrity.
In the space below, develop an interview guide that includes a series of questions related to your mock study and within your area of expertise. Your interview guide must include an introductory statement about the purpose of the interview and 10 to 12 questions to facilitate data-gathering and inform your mock study. Refer to the sample questions below as you develop your interview guide.
How would you describe…?
At what point do you remember learning about…?
You just mentioned something about… Can you tell me more about that?
In your experience, how much…?
What are some different way in which you approach…?
In the time that you have…, how has this affected your…?
What do you imagine your life would be like after…?
Is there anything you wished you had known before…?
Is there anything else you would like to tell me?
Introductory Statement
Interview Questions
In Week 6, you will conduct two observations of the actions, events, interactions, or relevant factors related to the central phenomenon in your mock study. Discuss your observation plan for each setting by responding to the prompts below.
Observation 1
Describe the observation setting. Example: I will be observing a 10th grade Algebra class at Superior High School.
Who will you contact to obtain permission to conduct your observation?
When will you conduct this observation (i.e., date and time)?
What factors (if any) could interfere with your ability to complete this observation? Why? What steps can you take to mitigate these factors?
What questions or concerns do you have about conducting your observation?
Observation 2
Describe the observation setting. Example: I will be observing a 10th grade Algebra class at Superior High School.
Who will you contact to obtain permission to conduct your observation?
When will you conduct this observation (i.e., date and time)?
State and explain factors that could interfere with the ability to complete this observation? Why? What steps can you take to mitigate these factors?
What questions or concerns do you have about conducting your observation?