Assignment: Final Project Step VI

I. Abstract Title page (USE the MODIFIED writing template to compose the following paper. Distributed to you via email and the course announcements section. Follow all of the writing template requirements, please!)

II. Abstract

III. Title Page

IV. Table of Contents

V. Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study

a. Background

i. Synthesize the literature from your prospectus, annotated bibliography and at least 10 articles you found in this course that points to a gap in the research that is worthy of further study. Please do not provide an annotated bibliography here. Synthesize (not summarize) your literature sources.

b. Research Problem

i. State the research problem in terms of the gap in the research literature, i.e., support your problem statement with evidence from 3-5 of the 10 articles referenced above.

ii. Frame the problem in terms of how further research could be of benefit, i.e., how further research could add to or enhance the current state of knowledge about your topic..

c. Purpose Statement

i. Use the template to present your statement that includes

1. Target group/individual/organization/event of interest

2. Phenomenon of interest

3. Terminology that indicates the approach to be used

The purpose statement (“template”) must clearly include the following:

· The purpose of this study is...

· The central phenomenon is...

· A statement identifying the type of qualitative design (include words such as explore, understand, etc.)

d. Research Questions (Make sure RQ(s) are aligned with problem and purpose, and use terminology appropriate to the proposed research approach. Only the RQ(s) should be stated in this section, i.e., no other text).

e. Conceptual or Theoretical Framework

i. Present the framework that you have revised from your prospectus (clearly explain and justify your choice of theoretical frameworks; align with purpose and RQ)

VI. Chapter 2: Research Plan

a. Research Design: Choice of Approach (refer to qualitative research matrix in Week 4; explain and justify your choice using correct terminology; demonstrate why it is clearly a good fit for the purpose and RQs). (see required reading listed below)

Required Readings

Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

· Chapter 4, “Practical and Actionable Qualitative Applications” (pp. 169–242)

Grant, C., & Osanloo, A. (2014). Understanding, selecting, and integrating a theoretical framework in dissertation research: Creating the blueprint for your “house.” Administrative Issues Journal: Education, Practice, and Research, 4(2), 12–26. doi:10.5929/2014.4.2.9. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1058505.pdf

Wu, J. M., Viswanathan, M., & Ivy, J. S. (2012). A conceptual framework for future research on mode of delivery. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(7), 1447-1454.

i. Describe the Phenomenon of Interest

ii. Description of Approach

iii. Rationale for Chosen Approach

b. Role of the Researcher (presented in a manner consistent with qualitative research, the chosen approach, and relevance to the research topic).

i. Reveal any personal and professional relationships you have with the participants

ii. State how biases will be managed

c. Participant Selection (Parts i-iii refer to your proposed study; part iv refers to how you recruited participants for the practice interviews. Do your best to integrate the four parts into a cohesive discussion of participant selection. Use terminology consistent with qualitative research and with the research approach you chose.)

i. Describe the target group of interest

ii. Describe the sampling strategy and ideal sample size (if you were to conduct this as a real study)

iii. Describe the criterion for sample selection (if you were to conduct this as a real study)

iv. Describe how participants were contacted and invited for this effort (integrate your recruitment protocol that includes the invitation, informed consent (verbatim document from the Walden IRB), closing statement, and peer debrief paragraph). You may include the protocol information as an Appendix, if you prefer.

d. Instrumentation (Content and language of the interview guide incorporates all revisions based on the feedback provided by instructor and classmates).

i. The Interview Guide (Also include a copy of the complete interview guide as an Appendix.)

1. Describe the basis for development (literature, theory, personal experience) of the interview questions

2. Describe efforts to insure content validity and credibility, e.g., peer debriefing, member checking, etc.

ii. Describe other data sources (e.g., journal, notes, video)

1. Describe how other data sources were created and how they could be used to support analysis and interpretation of interview data

e. Procedures for Data Collection.

i. Please include a narrative of

1. Where/how the data were collected

2. Duration of data collection events

3. How data were recorded

4. How the participants were debriefed (this is not the same as your peer debrief)

5. Ethical procedures to protect the participants during the recruiting, data collection and debriefing process. (Use specific terminology that is consistent with ethical research principles.)

f. Data Analysis Plan (based on your work in Week 10)

i. Repeat the purpose and research question exactly as written in Chapter 1 above.

ii. Describe the data analysis plan that best fits your chosen research approach

iii. Describe examples of codes and categories you developed, i.e., summarize the coding experience, presenting detailed examples of codes and categories developed from transcripts.

iv. Describe considerations for choosing QDA software (in detail; and summarize the comparison of hand-coding experience with what was researched on QDA software).

g. Issues of Trustworthiness

i. For each dimension of trustworthiness describe (a) what you did; and (b) what other strategies could be considered if this was your dissertation (and not just a course assignment) (Provide enough detail to convince me that you understand these concepts!)

ii. Credibility

iii. Transferability

iv. Dependability

v. Confirmability

VII. Chapter 3: Summary and Reflections

a. Introduction

i. Restate research purpose and RQ exactly as written in Chapter 1 above.

b. Reflection on Social Change

i. Discuss the relevance of your proposed research to Walden’s mission of social change, i.e., present a thoughtful reflection representing substantive understanding of course concepts and Walden's social change mission. (Think about how qualitative research and your proposed research align with Walden's mission of social change.)

c. Reflection on Course Learning

i. Reflect on what was learned about conducting qualitative research

d. Next Steps

i. Consider your next steps in preparation for the dissertation (Your preparation and next steps should reflect an accurate understanding of Walden's dissertation process).

VIII. References (Double space and follow APA requirements! Please make sure your reference list entries fully comply with APA 7th Edition requirements. Need help? See References - Academic Guides at Walden University)

Tips for satisfying the Written Expression and Formatting rubric criterion:

· Assessment is based on the extent to which scholarly, critical, analytical writing is presented in correct APA format throughout entire paper.

· Work represents scholarly writing in correct APA format; effective sentence variety; and clear, concise, powerful expression. Citations to relevant scholarly literature and course resources are integrated throughout the paper, not just in the Background and Research Problem sections. The entire piece is well organized.

· Work is unified around a central purpose with well-developed ideas, logically organized in paragraph structures with clear transitions and proper grammar.

· Take advantage of the many writing support resources that Walden provides to you:

· Check grammar and ease of reading via Grammarly.

· One-on-one paper reviews (plan well ahead if you wish to request this Writing Center service)

· Be extra cautious about unintentional (or any) plagiarism. Watch the Plagiarism Prevention module.

· Browse the Writing Webinars archive, especially the Scholarly Writing webinars.

Adapted 11/18/2020 Eliesh O’Neil Lane, PhD