Chapter 3: Methodology.
Design This section should be a discussion of the approach, rationale and philosophical underpinnings that will guide your Methods section for a proposed qualitative study. You may use your proposed dissertation topic for this assignment. Participants This section should include the following elements: (a) the target population or sample should be defined, consistent with the Statement of the Problem and the Research Question(s); (b) the population from which the sample will actually be drawn should be specified. This should also include demographic information, such as age, gender, ethnicity etc.; and (c) procedures for selecting the sample should be outlined, including justification for the sampling method (i.e., sampling procedure, how you will recruit your participants, etc.). Data Collection Tools This section should explain how you will collect the data (e.g., interviews, focus groups, documents, observations, interview protocol etc.) Procedures Write this section in future tense. Convert to past tense where appropriate once data have been collected. The Procedures section will be based directly on the research questions. Specifically, this is the “how to” section of the study and will introduce the design of the research and how the data will be collected based on the questions of interest. This section should include the approach (i.e., research design) to conducting the research (e.g., case study, ethnography, phenomenology) and the appropriate procedures to be followed. Analysis Ethical Considerations Trustworthiness Potential Researcher Bias/Role of Researcher Limitations Include any limitations, restrictions, or constraints that may affect the qualitative study outcome. References
