Qualitative Proposal
Abstract
The abstract should be a single paragraph of 150-250 words that summarizes your proposal. The abstract should not be indented. Write the abstract after you finish your proposal.
Keywords:list no fewer than two keywords used throughout your proposal
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………..1
Introduction to the Problem………………………………………………………….
Statement of the Problem ……………………………………………………………
Theoretical Framework……………………………………………………………….
Research Questions ………………………………………………………………….
Purpose and Significance of Study …………………………………………………
Definition of Terms …………………………………………………………………
Assumptions and Limitations ………………………………………………………
Summary………………………………………………………
Chapter 2: Literature Review ……………………………………………………………
Introduction to the Literature ……………………………………………………….
Themed Heading ……………………………………………………………….
Themed Heading……………………………………………………………….
Themed Heading……………………………………………………………….
Summary ……………………………………………………
Chapter 3: Methodology………………………………………………………………
Introduction………………………………………………………………………….
Research Questions…………………………………………………………………….
Research Design………………………………………………………………………….
Recruitment ……………………………………………………………………….
Data Collection………………………………………………………………………….
Data Analysis Procedure ………………………………………………………….
Summary………………………………………………………………………….
References………………………………………………………………………………
Appendices ……………………………………………………………………………..
Appendix A: Instrument …………………………………………………………….
Appendix B: Mock IRB Application………………………………………………………………………..
Appendix C: Consent……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Chapter 1
Introduction
Introduction to the Problem
The first one or two paragraphs of the Introduction should introduce the general topic of the study. Do not begin too generally (e.g., discussing all of psychology), but do not begin too specifically either (e.g., by stating the proposal). It is best to provide context, by providing background details, important dates, statistics, etc.
Statement of the Problem
For multiple paragraphs, you should be building a case for your study. Explain what has been found in previous research on this topic, describe what gaps exist in this literature, and explain how your study will fill the gap (i.e., provide a unique study that will contribute new knowledge in the area). You are justifying the problem (the topic you are investigating) through existing literature.
Theoretical Framework
For one or two paragraphs, explain your theoretical framework. This is considered the “lens” or structure through which you evaluate your research problem and research questions(e.g. critical theory as it applies to critiquing and changing society).
Research Questions
The research questions that will guide this study are:
Research questions should be feasible, clear, significant, and ethical. Write in the form of a question with a relevant question prompt (i.e. who, what, when, where, why, does, how, etc.). These questions should help you focus on your topic, your methodology, and your research.
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Purpose and Significance of Study
In one paragraph insert the purpose and significance of your study. A purpose statement is a declarative sentence, which summarizes the specific topic andgoals of your proposal. A common formula for a quantitative purpose statement is as follows: The purpose of this quantitative study is to [insert strong action verb] [insert topic and/or theory] by [insert focus of independent versus independent variables] for [insert population] in [insert research site].Further explain and justify how your study is significant.
Definition of Terms
Provide key terms here. Each term should be a new sentence with a definition. You may use bullet points to separate each term.
Key Term – Identify terms that people may not know (or are specific to your study). These are not terms like GPA the average person knows, but rather terms such as self-efficacy “and you will use the definition you found in one of your studies” (Smith, 2018, p. 24). There may not be too many terms, though each one should be referenced in your proposal.
Assumptions and Limitations
Assumptions.
In one or more paragraphs, state assumptions you make about your project. These should be accepted as true, or at least plausible, by like-minded readers and researchers. Justify your assumptions with some research or an explanation of how you will collect data or preserve confidentiality. You may write these assumptions in paragraph or bulleted form.
Limitations.
In one or more paragraphs, state limitations about your project. Limitations include any factors that may “limit” the scope or possibilities of your study. You may consider time, access to data, population size, etc. Identify limitations unique to your study.
Summary
In one paragraph, summarize this chapter. Then, preview the next chapter.
Chapter 2(begin on new page)
Review of the Literature
Introduction
In one paragraph, provide more information about your topic; the depth and breadth of the literature review provides a solid background for your study’s investigation. It is important to summarize and synthesize the arguments and ideas of other researchers without adding new contributions. Identify key themes within the literature you obtain and use headings to summarize the information. Cite accordingly to APA 6th edition format.
Themed Heading
For multiple paragraphs, focus on one theme at a time, organizing the literature into concise summaries that support the topic. You may identify gaps or confirmations from the literature within these headings. Give each heading its own relevant name.
Themed Heading
For multiple paragraphs, focus on one theme at a time, organizing the literature into concise summaries that support the topic. You may identify gaps or confirmations from the literature within these headings. Give each heading its own relevant name.
Themed Heading
For multiple paragraphs, focus on one theme at a time, organizing the literature into concise summaries that support the topic. You may identify gaps or confirmations from the literature within these headings. Give each heading its own relevant name.
Summary
In one paragraph, summarize this chapter. Then, preview the next chapter.
Chapter 3(begin on new page)
Methodology
Introduction
In one paragraph, state background information about the topic, including the purpose, and the significance of the study. Since this is a proposal, you are informing readers what you WILL do. Include information about how the study will be conducted. Provide enough information for the study to be replicated. (You will not collect data in this EDUC 5103 class, so use future tense verbs, describing how you will collect data).
Research Questions
The research questions that will guide this study are:
These are the same research questions found in Chapter 1. Research questions should be feasible, clear, significant, and ethical. Write in the form of a question with a relevant question prompt (i.e. who, what, when, where, why, does, how, etc.). These questions should help you focus on your topic, your methodology, and your research.
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Research Design
In one or multiple paragraphs, explain in detail the design of the study. Explain the importance of qualitative methodology, especially as it relates to your specific research design (i.e. phenomenology,narrative analysis, historical inquiry, ethnography, grounded theory, case study, etc.).Remember to explain the importance of qualitative as it is an exploration of the topic/curiosity (versus a proving or disproving of a hypothesis). Include study location information by using vague terminology to describe where the study will take place (i.e. an Oklahoma regional university, a suburban public high school in northeast Oklahoma, etc.).
Recruitment
In one or multiple paragraphs, describe who will participate in your study. State how many participants will be in the study, how they will beselected, and why those participants will be specifically chosen. Provide as much information as possible about the characteristics of your participants. If applicable, explain in what way the participants will becompensated for participating in the study.
Data Collection
In one or multiple paragraphs, describe data collection materials you will use in the study. Consider the type of materials you will use and how they will be developed (e.g. interviews, observations, document collection, etc.). Include as much detail about each material; this may include length of interview, types of questions, and observation method, for example.
Data Analysis Procedure
In one or multiple paragraphs, describe the procedure of the study in chronological order. Summarize your research design. Explain what the participants will do in the order they did them, while including your future role in the procedure (e.g. as interviewer, as observer). Consider if interview transcription will be required, or how an observation protocol will be used for field notes. If no participants will be included in your study (i.e. historical document collection), clearly explain the procedure for your role in collecting data.Describe in detail the possible analysis you will conduct on your data. Explain how you will categorize the data, explore the data for patterns, and how you will identify themes/codes. Tables and figures may be included to better present the analysis of data.
Summary
In one paragraph, summarize this chapter. Then, summarize the previous chapters. (In an actual thesis, you would add more chapters).
References(begin on new page)
Begin each reference at the left margin. Avoid bullets, numbering, and lettering. Maintain
double spacing. Alphabetize by author’s last name, or if there is no author, by the resource’s name (article name, book title, web page name, etc.). For second and subsequent lines of a reference, indent one tab. Use APA 6th edition for all references.
Wegener, D. T., & Petty, R. E. (1994). Mood management across affective states: The
hedonic contingency hypothesis. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 66, 1034-1048.
Appendix A: Instrument(new page)
Insert the Instrument (data collection material) beneath the Appendix A title.
Appendix B: Mock IRB Application (new page)
Insert the IRB Application (Mock IRB Application) beneath the Appendix B title.
Appendix C: Consent (new page)
Insert the Consent Form (add Assent Form as another Appendix, if applicable) beneath the Appendix C title.
Appendix D: IRB Approval (new page)
