Albany State University Components of a Qualitative Research Study Essay

Up to this point, you have learned about different aspects of qualitative research methodology and designs, and you have received substantive feedback from your instructor, as well as suggestions for improvement. Now, it is time to synthesize the knowledge you have acquired and demonstrate your understanding. This week is an opportunity to reflect on new learning and insights regarding qualitative research, and integrate all the necessary components into one final product; a toolkit to plan for and conduct a qualitative research study, including methodology, designs, and methods. Once you have completed this assignment you will be prepared to contribute to the academic conversation on qualitative methodology and designs, offer an informed perspective, and address or respond to relevant questions on this subject. Furthermore, if you do proceed to conduct a qualitative study further on in your program, you will be well-armed with a useful toolkit to draw from at the very outset!

This final assignment will take the form of a written essay. If you have another creative idea for presenting the assignment that meets required graduate academic standards you may approach your instructor to seek approval. Ultimately when writing up your study, it must be logical, repeatable, and reproducible. Because every research decision must be based on accepted research practices, remember any presentation that you use for the assignment will also need to include academic sources to support your statements and demonstrate the depth of your knowledge and, in so doing, garner the support of the academic community.

In your essay, you want to achieve a clear, logical, and organized flow, so be sure to structure your headings (and subheadings) according to each of the following prompts as outlined in the same order below. Being multifaceted, with many “moving parts”, be sure to read each prompt carefully so that you do not accidentally omit any of the following requirements:

1. Discuss 5-7 characteristics or features of qualitative methodology. For each characteristic, discuss what benefits exist for the researcher. List each characteristic and associated benefits separately so that your discussion is systematically and logically presented. (2-3 pages)

1. Pick two qualitative research designs to compare and contrast. Graduate studies encourage the use of primary sources. Aside from referring to the two textbooks for this course as well as other resources that have been provided (all of which are considered secondary source material), in this Signature Assignment, you are required to refer also to seminal literature when completing this section. For example, if you are discussing case study, refer to Yin or Stake. If you are discussing Narrative Inquiry, then refer to Connelly and Clandinin; If you are discussing Grounded Theory, then refer to Charmaz, Glaser, and Strauss, or Corbin and Strauss; If you are discussing Action Research, then refer to Kurt Lewin; If you are discussing Phenomenology, then refer to van Manen or Moustakas. There are other seminal authors that you can refer to as well. You are highly encouraged to seek academic literature through the NCU Library, and the librarians will be happy to assist you in locating relevant materials. (2 pages)

1. First, discuss three methods of data collection, including a brief evaluation of the strengths and limitations of each of the methods. Second, describe how each of these methods will align with a specific research design (or designs). (2 pages)

1. First, explain the concept of method triangulation, and why this is used in qualitative research. Second, explain how the methods you discussed in the section above can be used together as a triangulation strategy in a qualitative study. Offer concrete examples and suggestions of how a researcher would go about triangulating these methods in order to establish a systematic data collection plan. (1-2 pages)

1. Explain the general process of qualitative data analysis as you understand it. Include all steps of the process and make sure to refer to concepts such as data management, organization, coding, and theme development. (1-2 pages)

1. Discuss the importance of alignment in qualitative research, specifically among research design, data collection, and data analysis. Provide specific examples to illustrate why alignment among these components matters with regard to methodological congruence. (1-2 pages)

1. Be sure to address the following:
   1. Discuss the significance of each of the four trustworthiness criteria in qualitative research and explain clearly why each one of these criteria matters.
   2. Offer ideas for how a qualitative researcher can go about making sure to address each of the four criteria. To illustrate your points, you can include examples using a hypothetical or actual educational research study. (2 pages)
2. Conclude the assignment (and the course!) with a reflection on new lessons that you have learned over the past weeks. Explain what you now know that will help you move forward as a qualitative researcher, and state what you would still like to learn more about, including new skills and techniques. These new insights will be useful to you as you move forward in your program and as you begin contemplating a research study. (1 page)

Length: This assignment will be at least 12-16 pages.

References: Include a minimum of 6 scholarly resources.

The completed assignment should address all of the assignment requirements, exhibit evidence of concept knowledge, and demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the content presented in the course.