Part 1

Qualitative Inquiry

Part A

Address the following in 200-300 words:

• Why a qualitative approach may be appropriate for your area of interest
  • Include a rationale for each proposed use of qualitative inquiry.

Cite sources as appropriate.

Part B

Learning Reflections on Interview Strategies

Address the following in 200-300 words:

Why are open-ended questions an important part of qualitative research?

Based on the research question you devised earlier (based on your research interests) develop and list five open-ended questions that you might ask research participants in order to collect data that will address your research question. Along with EACH question, share a rationale for why you’re asking that specific question.

Part C

Address Part III in 200-300 words.

Participants are recruited for research in a number of ways. The methods used to recruit participants for research are called “sampling plans.” List and provide an explanation for at least three types of sampling plans used in qualitative research.

Which of the three might work best for your research, given your research question, use of qualitative research, and access to participants.

Part 2 200-300 words

This discussion has 2 components. Be sure to address each component fully.

• Differentiate among the following qualitative designs for your discussion. Make sure you include citations from/or referring to authors who are specialists in these methods. Your general methods texts are not sufficient to master these methods:
  • Phenomenology (e.g. Georgi, Moustakas, etc.)
  • Grounded theory (Glaser, Strauss, etc.)
  • Ethnography (White, Benedict, Mead, etc.)

Include clear definitions of each in your responses.

• Case studies are often included in the discussions of qualitative design options.
  • Why do you think this is so?
  • Define case study research (Robert Yin, etc.).
  • Explain why most case study research involves the collection of qualitative data.

Cite sources as appropriate.

Part 3 100-150 words

Part A

• Explain what is meant by a qualitative central research question.
• How do these questions differ from the research questions used for quantitative studies?
• Include sources to support your explanation.

Part B

Draft a qualitative research question related to your research interests to guide your assignments in this course.

Part 4 4-6 pages

Considering either your research problem area or your associated theoretical topic or framework, locate 1 published dissertation (within the last five years) using each of the following:

• A study described by the author as being a phenomenology or phenomenological study
• A study described by the author as being a grounded theory study
• A study described by the author as being an ethnography or an ethnographic study
• A case study that employed mixed methods
• Find dissertations in ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database

For each dissertation and methodological choice prepare a discussion that includes:

• Full APA citation(s) in proper format
• Author’s abstract
• Your annotation, which includes and an analysis of the following:
  • An overview, in your own words, of the qualitative research design.
  • The population from which participants were recruited.
  • The sampling plan used by the researcher.
  • Include brief description of the data collection procedures.
• Your evaluation of the effectiveness of the above.

Part 5 150-200 words

Provide a discussion about how qualitative data is analyzed. Please cite at least three qualitative dissertations published within the last three years, along with other sources as needed. Share enough information that you’ve demonstrated a clear understanding about how qualitative data is analyzed..

Part 6 75-100 words

This task involves you responding virtually to a single interview question. Your response, along with your classmates’ responses, will become the transcript for a coding exercise and submitted in the Phase 3 Individual Project.

Virtual Interview Question

Explain what being a doctoral student means for you. How has your life changed since starting your doctoral journey?

There should not be any citations within your response to the question; simply reply to the interview question.

Part 7 4-6 pages

Create an interview protocol that contains the following required components:

• Central guiding research question
• Target population and sampling plan
  • Include estimated size of final sample
• Type of interview with rationale
  • Semistructured
  • Responsive
  • Narrative
• Format and schedule of interview questions
  • Main questions
  • Follow-up questions
  • Probes
  • Neutral prompts
• Planned location and estimated length of interview process
• Plans for the following:
  • Recording and transcription
  • Field notes
• Proposed analysis model and detailed plan for establishing reliability of your coding process outcomes
  • Cite the methodologist

Part 8 100-150 words

• Explain what is meant by the phrase participant observer.
• How is this role used for conducting organizational research?
• Draft a central research question that could guide an observational data-gathering process for dissertation research.

Part 9 both part 150-200 words apiece

Part A:

Learning Reflections on Observational Methods

Identify 2–3 key learning points that are associated with using observation as a data-gathering process.

Be sure to address the following:

• Provide an explanation of the learning point.
• Explain how it will be integrated into your own research process.

Part B:

Artifacts or Documents as Sources of Data

Considering your understanding of how artifacts or documents could be used as a primary source of data in research, explain 2 different types of documents or artifacts that may have relevance for your own area of interest.

• How would you approach the analysis of those documents or artifacts?
• explain 1 possible interpretation process.

Cite your sources as appropriate.

Part 10 4–6 pages, not including the Appendix

In this Individual Project you will execute and discuss a Qualitative Data Coding Process as you code and summarize your classmates’ responses to the virtual interview.

Utilize the data in Unit 2 Discussion Board 2 where you addressed the inquiry:

Explain what being a doctoral student means for you. How has your life changed since starting your doctoral journey?

Describing a Qualitative Data Coding Process, code and summarize your classmates’ responses to the virtual interview question posed in the earlier Unit 2 Discussion Board 2: Capturing Qualitative Data Virtually.

To create the transcript for analysis, copy and paste each of your classmates’ responses into a Word document.

Provide the results of your coding process, using a diagram to present your findings. Your diagram could be in a matrix format (table) or a concept chart (node network).

Your submitted report should include the following:

• Description of your coding process
• Topical coding scheme (list of topics; code book)
• Diagram of findings (topics and themes)
• Brief narrative summary of findings referring to your graphic diagram
• Appendix with coded transcripts in one of the following formats:
  • A Word document showing color-coded codes
  • A Word document using the comments function to indicate codes
  • An output file from qualitative software

Part 11 200-300 words

Human Subjects Considerations

Considering your own dissertation interests and the various ethical issues associated with human subjects research, describe what your target sample subjects might perceive as the risks for participating in your study.

• Briefly describe the following:
  • Your targeted sample
  • The anticipated risks from the subject’s perspective
  • Your strategies for minimizing the risks to your subjects
• Provide your rationale.

Cite your sources as appropriate.

Part 12 200-300 words

consider specific approaches to ensuring the trustworthiness and credibility of qualitative studies.

Complete the following:

• Define 1 technique.
• Describe how it is used within qualitative studies.
• Include any necessary definitions.

Cite your sources as appropriate.

Part 13 4-6 pages

Create an observational guide that contains the following required components:

• Central guiding research question
• Target group and setting
• Investigator relationship to the target group and setting
• Available sources of data (social actions, talk, archival records, etc.)
  • List and organize anticipated puzzlements and jottings
  • List 2–3 specific observations that you will need to make.
  • List 3–4 main questions to guide your conversation with individuals.
    • Include 1–2 probes for each main question.
  • What archival records will you seek?
• Describe the planned structure and format for recording your field notes.
• Include a proposed analysis model and a detailed plan for the presentation of your observational results
  • Cite the methodologist.

Part 14 75-200 words

Considering the learning activities within this course, answer the following questions:

• What was the highlight of this course for you? Why?
• What have you learned that you believe prepares you for your own doctoral research?
• What are you now committed to learning more about on your own, in preparation for your doctoral research?

Part 15 8–12 pages (excluding title page, reference list, and appendixes)

Combine your Interview Protocol and Observational Guide into 1 cohesive document. Incorporate your instructor’s feedback into the final draft.

Part A: Interview Protocol (4–6 pages)

• Central guiding research question
• Target population and sampling plan
  • Include estimated size of final sample
• Type of interview with rationale
  • Semistructured
  • Responsive
  • Narrative
• Format and schedule of interview questions
  • Main questions
  • Follow-up questions
  • Probes
  • Neutral prompts
• Planned location and estimated length of interview process
• Plans for the following:
  • Recording and transcription
  • Field notes
• Proposed analysis model and detailed plan for establishing reliability of your coding process outcomes
  • Cite the methodologist

Part B: Observational Guide (4–6 pages)

• Central guiding research question
• Target group and setting
• Investigator relationship to the target group and setting
• Consider the available sources of data (social actions, talk, archival records, etc.).
  • List and organize the anticipated puzzlements and jottings
  • List 2–3 specific observations that you will need to make.
  • List 3–4 main questions to guide your conversation with individuals.
    • Include 1–2 probes for each main question.
  • What archival records will you seek?
• Description of the planned structure and format for recording your field notes
• Proposed analysis model and a detailed plan for the presentation of your observational results
  • Cite the methodologist