FORMAT FOR QUALITATIVE RESEARCH (specifically for In-depth Interview and Focus Group Discussion– FGD)
PROPOSAL (ONLY FOCUS ON CHAPTER 1, 2, AND 3)
COMPLETE QUALITATIVE THESIS (FOCUS ON CHAPTER 1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5)
By Prof Dr Faridah Ibrahim, FBIHS, IUKL
Subject: RESM7901
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction (Need to present a general statement about the study; use scholars to support the statement; Last paragraph: explain the aims or problems the study want to achieve or solve)
1.2 Background of the Study
1.3 Research Problem (It is the Engine of your thesis. To identify problem, read and read Literature/Journal articles; be familiar with the academic debates; explain why it is the problem and why it is worthy of study; If the answer is known, then don’t proceed with the study; Identify the Gap in the debate)
1.4 Research Objectives (RO) (Try using verbs such as…to explore….to identify…to examine.. to investigate…)
1.5 Research Questions (RQ) (need to reflect the research objectives)
1.6 Significance of Study (You can write Significance of study from 4 perspectives – Significance from theoretical perspective, professional perspective, policy perspective/government; societal perspectives)
1.7 Scope of the Study (Describe the parameters of your study; what the study will be covering; who will be your informants for in-depth interview or participants for Focus Group Discussion – FGD)
1.8 Definition of terms (Give scholarly definitions for all important terms NOT Dictionary definition or Wikipedia definition)
1.9 Summary
1.10 Organisation of study/Chapters Overview (Explain briefly what each chapters cover)
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Introduction (Provide brief information on what the chapter will cover)
2.2 Previous Studies (Synthesise related Literatures Inside and outside the Country)
Foreign research and Local research (findings from 2017-2022)
2.3 Related Variables/Construct
2.3.1 Construct 1 and previous studies
2.3.2 Construct 2 and previous studies
2.3.3 Construct 3 and previous studies
2.3.4 Construct 4 and previous studies
2.4 Overview of related theories
2.4.1 Theory 1 and literature
2.4.2 Theory 2 and literature
2.4.3 Theory 3 and literature
2.4.4 Theory used in the Study and literature – Theoretical Framework & Underpinning theory
2.5 Conceptual Framework (Remember – In qualitative study, there will be NO hypotheses)
2.6 Summary
CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research design (highlight the qualitative method that will be used: In-depth Interview/Focus Group/Participant Observation/Qualitative Content Analysis/Textual Analysis/Document Analysis)
3.3 Research procedures (Present Research Flow chart)
3.4 Informants/Participants (Explain choosing of informants if using In-depth Interview/Focus Group)
3.4.1 Research Participants
3.4.2 Sampling Techniques
3.5 Operational Definition
3.6 Interview Protocol
3.7 Data Collection Procedures
3.7.1 Permission/consent (Need writing to informant and get signed consent before doing the interview)
3.7.2 Reliability and Validity (Get two panel of experts to check on the validity. of the questions. In qualitative with validity – we strive for trustworthiness and credibility))
3.7.3 Triangulation (To increase validity -through using of 2 methods, literature and theoretical support)
3.7.4 Reflexivity (Explain how researcher challenge his/her biases and views as a researcher; how researcher values and belief system shaped the research; also involves honesties and integrity as a researcher)
3.8 Data Analysis (Thematic analysis from verbatim interview data & Nvivo or Atlas T8)
3.9 Ethical Considerations (Discuss what ethical practice is undertaken in the study)
3.10 Summary
CHAPTER 4 FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Background of Informants/participants
4.3 Interpretations of Findings (Present findings according to Research Questions; using thematic analysis and verbatim data; Nvivo output/Atlas T8 output)
4.3.1 Findings for RQ1
4.3.2 Findings for RQ2
4.3.3 Findings for RQ3
4.3.4 Findings for RQ4
4.4 Discussion of the Overall Results
4.5 Summary
CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary
5.3 Discussion (Discuss according to Research Questions or Research Objectives; relate the findings to theory and earlier research by previous scholars)
5.4 Contributions to the field (Highlight Novelty and Taxanomy)
5.5 Implications of Study
5.5.1 Implications on Theory
5.5.2 Implications on Methodology
5.5.3 Implications on Practical Applications/Professional
5.5.4 Implications on Policy/Government
5.5.5 Implications on Society
5.6 Limitations of study
5.7 Suggestions for Future Research
5.8 Conclusion (highlight the important findings, implications – keep it short – 1 page)
REFERENCES (follow the latest APA format 7th Edition – American Psychological Association)
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Consent letter
Appendix B: Interview protocol
Appendix C: Letter from Relevant Authorities
Appendix D: Journal Articles