NOTES: Oh, so that’s how Qual research is done!

Oh, so that’s how Qual research is done!

Finally I have a grasp on the trials of Qual research and a direction to start walking. At this point in college grad life, I’m familiar with the “research something you’re passionate about” advice. I get it. That’s why I’ve stuck around and begged my parents for tuition money. Marshall and Rossman (as I see it) provide a great framework to fill-in with research goodness. But it’s not an outline. It’s actually a lot like playing with LEGOs.

Instructions are provided in the box of overpriced plastic cubees but along the way you notice room for improvements and start tweaking the base model to fulfill your own needs and interests. So, instead of following directions and getting a replica of a commercial airliner, the outcome is a galaxy hopping space shuttle with fully functioning defense systems! Maybe that’s just how I play with LEGOS.

In any case, the outline as I see it, asked me to first become inspired to conduct research by stepping into a funnel of:

1. Reflecting on an Observation - usually about a personal experience or phenomenon
2. Rationale for the phenomenon - my best reasoning as to why the phenomenon happened
3. Study publications about the phenomenon - also helps foster the significance of your research
4. Deconstruct observed events - show my understanding as to why the phenomenon occurs after studying publications
5. Identify replaceable elements - what can be done to change the phenomenon in order to improve the conditions of my topic (i.e. education)?

This will help me reach my topic and research question(s), but there are also three important filters consider: “do-ability”, “should-do-ability” and “want-to-do-ability”. These are rationale and harsh filters to traverse. Each is another stepping stone toward filling in the first draft or starting from scratch at the top of the funnel.

I read most about the use of technology in education. My focus, ideally,  should concern writing skills and how technology can be used to facilitate a writer’s growth. I can see how to make my interest align with the outlines and filters and critical questions for considerations in Marshall and Rossman’s text but I’ll be the first to admit my biases. I should be more concern that my peers and colleagues also see my research as beneficial as I do otherwise it’s back to the drawing board/funnel.

My first research question - where can I find a free copy of Bloomberg and Volpe’s “road map” from Completing Your Qualitative Dissertation?

NOTES:
Chapter 1: Introduction
5 features of Qualitative research:

Qualitative research typically

• is enacted in naturalistic settings,

• draws on multiple methods that respect the humanity of the participants in the study,

• focuses on context,

• is emergent and evolving, and

• is fundamentally interpretive.

from Catherine Marshall;Gretchen B. Rossman. Designing Qualitative Research (Kindle Locations 173-174). Kindle Edition.

So, 5 features of Qual research (as I see it) includes:

• research done in the field (i.e. classroom, jungle, et cetera - same place really)
• doesn’t insult the participants
• accounts for all circumstances
• is new
• explains... something

Considerations
When writing a research proposal, consider the following:

• “do-ability”
• “should-do-ability”
• “want-to-do-ability”

“Do-Ability”
Consider whether you are feasibly able to conduct your research. Realistically, do you have access to the funds and resources to be studied?

Where can one do this study? With whom? How can I actually gather data? How shall I plan for data analysis and reporting?

Catherine Marshall;Gretchen B. Rossman. Designing Qualitative Research (Kindle Location 919). Kindle Edition.


“Should-Do-Ability”
Consider whether the research is worth conducting in the first place. Is it ethical and going to make an impact?

The researcher should argue that the study will likely contribute to scholarship, policy, and/or practice and address the familiar question "So what?"

Catherine Marshall;Gretchen B. Rossman. Designing Qualitative Research (Kindle Location 206). Kindle Edition.

“Want-to-Do-Ability”
Is the research interesting enough that you will actually want to see it through to completion?

The Challenges
2 parts of research proposals:

1. Conceptual framework - what topic/issue is going to be explored?
1. requires a rationale
2. design and research methods - what strategies will adequately explore the topic/issue?

Demonstrate Competence (explicitly and  implicitly) - this ties back into feasibility and “Want-to-do-ability”; expect scrutiny if you’re not an “established” researcher

demonstrate competence, then, proposal writers should refer to their previous work and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the pilot study as well as their coursework and other relevant education.

Catherine Marshall;Gretchen B. Rossman. Designing Qualitative Research (Kindle Locations 248-249). Kindle Edition.

Developing an Argument

developing a proposal is a process of building an argument that supports the proposal.

Catherine Marshall;Gretchen B. Rossman. Designing Qualitative Research (Kindle Locations 250-251). Kindle Edition.

Your argument needs logic and lots of it to convince readers it is significant for your field.

In conclusion:

the finished proposal should demonstrate that (a) the research is worth doing, (b) the researcher is competent to conduct the study, and (c) the study is carefully planned and can be executed successfully.

Catherine Marshall;Gretchen B. Rossman. Designing Qualitative Research (Kindle Locations 795-796). Kindle Edition.
Chapter 4: The What of the Study: Building the Conceptual Framework

Step 1: give one's project a name...

Catherine Marshall;Gretchen B. Rossman. Designing Qualitative Research (Kindle Location 804). Kindle Edition.

Successful Projects Address:

• Personal Interests
• Professional Commitments
• Recurring Social Problems

The Proposal

1. Introduction - overview with research question(s) and potential significance to the community
2. Related Literature - what lit/new is also discussing your research topic
3. Framework - description of how the research will be accomplished

Each section builds upon the other.

I read most about the use of technology in education. My focus should concern writing skills and how technology can be used to facilitate a writer’s growth. My first research question - where can I find a free copy of Bloomberg and Volpe’s “road map” from Completing Your Qualitative Dissertation?

Shiva, the god of dance and death is a good metaphor for the research process?

How can my biography help inspire my research?
Well, how I was inspired to teach and the epic struggle with grammar in the seventh grade might be a good start.

How do life experiences foster social activism?

Steps down the funnel (as I see it):

6. Observation
7. Rationale for the phenomenon
8. Find publications about the phenomenon - also helps foster the signifigance of your research
9. Deconstruct observed events
10. Identify replaceable elements

PURPOSE
Explore, Explain, Describe phenomenon.