Writing a Qualitative Research Proposal

Key Points

Deciding on the 5 Ws and 1 H

A research proposal should basically answers all the main areas of inquiry. It is the WHAT, WHERE, WHO, WHEN, WHY and HOW of your study. Should you want to be more critical in strengthening your research proposal, you can also answer the WHY NOT and HOW NOT questions that your examiners would like to know. A research proposal should at least inform the readers why is it important or necessary to conduct your study, and if not what happens. These few information on how you justify the need for research should carefully be written coherently between from introduction-background of study-problem statement-research objectives-research questions. They should be connected so that readers can be convinced at what you are really looking at in your research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I determine the Research Title or Topic for my study?

There are two ways to do it. If you are the type of person who can summarize what you have carried out in your Literature Review (LR) and then form the title and topic then you are considered a summative thinker. If you are the person who is flexible in changes as information unfolds itself to you, then you are a formative thinker. There is nothing wrong or right on being in either position, while some can do both. The main idea in qualitative research is that your title is reflective of the 5 Ws and 1 H as mentioned above.

How are the important sections to be written in a Proposal? :

It consists of:

• Introduction: You introduce the reader what is in your chapter, and leading them into the background of the study
• Background of the study: Describes the field of your research area, and narrowing down to the context of your study. It should highlight the unit of analyses in your study.
• Problem statement: Highlights why your study is important or urgent, the lack of knowledge on the matter, the contradictory evidence, or the consequence if the study is not carried out.
• Purpose of study: Usually contains the research objectives and research questions in relation to one another
• Research Methodology: Some overview about the research design, the sample/or respondents of the study and etc
• The theoretical framework/conceptual framework: If you have some theories to fall back on, you may introduce some but do not be too dependent or predetermine your paradigm in your qualitative study. Be generic but not too specific in this matter
• Significance of Study: Highlights the potential contribution of your research, if supposed all the objectives and questions are answered. In a nutshell highlights the benefits and the beneficiaries of your research

How do I differentiate the section between the Introduction and Background of the Study?

Do not repeat the same information in the background of study as you have written in the introduction. To be practical, introduction should be shorter than background of study, and it 'introduces' the reader what you plan to let them know in your main content of your writing. The background of study should describe the context of your study (where is your study and concerning whom) and the content (what are you focusing in). In the purpose of study and research methodology, you will then state the process (what you need to do in your research and how you plan to achieve your objectives/answer your questions)

What does it mean by Research Gap?

It is the tension between theory , application and reality. For example, you cannot be sure if the principal in School A who practices instructional leadership religiously in his school will guarantee that students will excel in their academic performance in the next 12 months. The ability to identify the research gap stemmed from critical review in literature reviews and observation if the situation exists in the chosen context of study.

How do we state a good problem statement that will also determine the purpose of the study?

There is the problem statement that can be addressed by doing a quantitative approach, while conversely addressed by qualitative research. Some problem statement can also be addressed through mixed method study. The rule of thumb is to position the reader to thoroughly understand your research problem, and why your purpose of research is appropriate to address them.

Do not be too unrealistic or ambitious in your problem statement, for it is not advisable for an academic exercise. You can aim for a groundbreaking study if you have the time, cost, capabilities and resources to do so. A problem statement should not be focusing on things that are too complicated that a research will not be significant enough to solve it; such as changing education policy with your standalone study.

How to write a research proposal that is accordance to the research design?

First, be clear whether your research objectives will be addressed by a qualitative research method of not. Avoid the use of "To Measure" for Qualitative Method. If your research objectives can be carried out by mixed or either method, clarify to readers.

Secondly, understand the Bloom's Taxonomy that Higher Order Thinking Skills are required for a PhD level. So your research design should be consistent with the 'verb' in your research questions, Your research design should have the main arching verb such as Investigative, Experimental, Explanative, Evaluative, Comparative, Designation, Conceptualisation etc in ascending terms of the Bloom's Taxonomy as you progress through your Research Questions.

Example: Explorative Case Study of ... Experimental Study of ...etc.,

How my research proposal will determine my data collection and analyses later?

You need to describe and clarify to readers why and how your data will address your research questions. If your proposal is not clear and not justified, you may face criticism on why you did not use other methods which are better or appropriate than your chosen method.

How do I construct my research objectives and questions to be Qualitative-oriented?

It should be explaining, describing, comparing, evaluating (not numerically). Fundamentally, they should be answering the "How" and "Why" questions

How do I determine the research questions are necessary (or not) for my study?

If you have found significant empirical findings on your research questions, you may choose to drop it and convert them as a topic in Chapter 2. It is easier to start of with a list of questions, group them into themes, and as you explored more information about the idea/theme, you will reach theoretical saturation point and you would be able to make better decisions then.

Some research questions are deepening questions, and may be leading you into a rabbit hole (like alice in the wonderland) but you must also determine how deep you want to go in terms of your research. When there no seem to be any ending, you may expressed your data findings with some statements of limitation, or suggestions for future research (that is why you must seriously consider your research objectives. There are also questions that are not overlapping with one another, and these are the widening questions. You are allowed to scope your study with your research objectives and clarifying them.

How do I conduct literature review to support my research proposal?

Use the Google spreadsheet or Microsoft Excel sheet to conduct a Systematic literature review . Integrate them with use of ATLAS.ti. There should be information that you think is important to extract from your accumulated readings. Depending on your objectives, your LR should at least explore, define, explain and describe the unit of analyses

Do I need to include Theoretical or Conceptual Framework in my Qualitative Research Proposal?

Beneficially yes, but not mandatory because you are not supposed to be too dependent on deductive approach

How do write a good proposal that will engage readers to read further

Structure, coherence and leading your readers to the core areas of research without bombarding them with information that is not necessary at the beginning point of proposal

How do I overcome inertia of writing?

Writing is a cultivated skill, just like exercise to build muscles. So what do you do to make yourself go back to the gym after eating so much in your own festival?

What format should I use for Academic Writing

APA Writing Style in most of the Social Sciences

How many pages (or how many words should I write) in my Research Proposal or Chapter 1 of my Thesis/Dissertation?

It is not the quantity but also the quality. Do your best to present eh 5Ws and 1 Hs in the required parts of the proposal and refer to other people's writings who have successfully done it .