Writing a Qualitative Research proposal 1 Writing a Qualitative Research Proposal Speziale & Carpenter, 2007, 2011 Chapter 16. Adapted by Prof. Susan A. LaRocco & Prof. Inaam A. Khalaf

2 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal Session Outline This session explores issues related to  development of a qualitative research proposal,  elements of the research report, and  challenges facing qualitative researchers.  essential elements and philosophical underpinnings relevant to a qualitative research proposal  example of a qualitative proposal is included at the end of the session.

3 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal Objectives Upon completion of this session, you will be able to:  Explore the different challenges facing qualitative researchers.  Discuss essential elements and philosophical underpinnings relevant to a qualitative research proposal  Select an area of qualitative nursing research  Evaluate Qualitative Research Sampling techniques  Write a qualitative nursing research proposal following all required considerations.

4 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal Introduction  A formal request to conduct a study.  The central components of the study must be articulated that appropriate application of the method is clear to all who read the proposal.  Writing process: question  problem and purpose statements  review of relevant literature  detailed description of planned methodologies

5 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  Must communicate, in a formal manner, the critical material necessary for a review panel to grasp the scope and significance of the investigation.  Essential for the conduct and possible funding of any research project.

6 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal Selecting an Area of Research  Immersion in research literature: areas more fully developed versus areas where research needed  Select an area of interest to you as a researcher; connection to what one is doing and that will make a meaningful contribution to nursing’s substantive body of knowledge.

7 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  One’s research agenda should complement one’s professional career in nursing practice, education, or administration.

8 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  the researchers must be immersed in and feel connected to what they are doing. Boyd and Munhall (2001) articulate this position skillfully: personal reason\ personal interest.  It is a strategic tool in the research project; it provides the energy and the motivation to persevere with the challenges and tedium inherent in any scholarly work.  It can position the researcher to attend to the phenomenon under study in a passion, a preoccupation, an intimate companion.

9 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  The investigator confirm significance of the problem and why the study needs to be done, and why the study requires a qualitative format.  This stage is complex and requires diligence and clarity of thought. The process is one that takes time and requires an ongoing process of evaluation. Reading, sharing ideas with colleagues, writing, and rewriting are all necessary aspects of the refinement of one’s research agenda.  First time qualitative researcher needs a mentor during the development of a new project.

10 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS  Identifying a research agenda requires that the researcher clarify the problem or phenomenon of interest to be studied. Articulating the need for a particular study and articulating one’s purpose will provide the appropriate direction needed to proceed with proposal development.  Ideas must be logically developed and conceptually linked.

11 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  communicate the research paradigm and method.  Any research study requires precision and rigor.  The proposal must be clear, concise, and complete (Dexter, 2000).

12 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  Knowledge of qualitative methodology,  prior experience with the methodology and  availability of appropriate resources.  The extensiveness of a research proposal is essentially determined by its ultimate purpose.  Variation exists depending on whether you are preparing a proposal for a dissertation, a grant, or an individual research project. For academics, guidelines can generally be obtained from the office of research services. If you are writing a grant proposal, then the granting agency’s requirements determine how you prepare your materials.

13 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  The content of the proposal must address all the stipulations set forth in enough depth to be meaningful, clear, and educational.  To begin, it is helpful to prepare a basic outline or plan for the research idea. The detailed plan will then develop into a research proposal as each step in the outline is narrated and gaps are filled to illustrate logical and consistent expansion of an idea from question to answer (Brink & Woods, 2001).

14 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  Members of IRBs are grounded in quantitative research approaches. Which might lead to unnecessary obstacles.  Qualitative research cannot be evaluated from a quantitative paradigm.  The abstract nature of many qualitative approaches is so different from a qualitative worldview that the proposal will require excellent rationale and explanation of qualitative method applications.

15 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  The proposal should be written in such a way that it provides enough theoretical support for the research paradigm so as to answer the questions of individuals reviewing the project who may not be familiar with qualitative approaches.  The content of any proposal must always be written with the interest and expertise of the reviewers in mind.

16 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  Morse (2003a) delineates criteria that could be used to evaluate qualitative proposals in terms of relevance, rigor, and feasibility.

17 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  Boyd and Munhall (2001), indicated that the readers should be provided with the following: “Education about and description of the method from its aim to its outcome. Such detail also enhances conformability by leaving a decision trail. Justification for using the method through a logically developed explanation of why the researcher has chosen to use it Translation of language unique to the method in terms that are likely to be understood by readers” (p. 614)

18 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  clear and accurate content,  no spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors.  The document must be aesthetically appealing in addition to being described clearly (Dexter, 2000).

19 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal ELEMENTS OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL  It is similar for both quantitative and qualitative research paradigms; however, evaluation criteria used by review boards must be significantly different.  The document must communicate to the reviewers the essential elements of the study as follows;

20 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal ELEMENTS OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL Introduction/overview of project Identification of the phenomenon or problem of interest Statement of purpose Rationale for research approach Significance of the phenomenon to nursing.

21 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  The Literature Review Review of relevant theoretical and research literature Discussion of literature review and how it will be used In the qualitative investigation Research approach –Rationale for qualitative method –Philosophical underpinnings for approach.

22 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  Methodology. Actual application of design Research protocol Resources needed Strengths and weaknesses Researcher’s credentials Participant selection Gaining access, entering the setting for data generation Protection of participants and ethical considerations relevant to qualitative Inquiry Data generation and treatment (process, data collector’s training, data management, data analysis).

23 Writing a Qualitative Research proposal  Discussion of Communication of the Findings Briefly address how the findings will be addressed within the context of the literature review Address rigor in relationship to the method Discuss implications for nursing practice, education, and administration What are the implications for future research?  References  Appendices Consent forms Any other relevant supporting documents

Writing a Qualitative Research proposal 24 Seasoned qualitative researchers continue to raise their voices about the injustices in a system that values measurement over understanding. Thank You For Your Participation & Creative Ideas