Creating research questions,
orientation and design
The assignment: At-Risk Children
Create a document that has three
clearly defined sections (listed below), and that totals no more than 3 pages
in length.
– Research
Question(s). State the research question(s) you are proposing to study.
– Qualitative
Research Orientation. Clearly state why a qualitative method would be
appropriate given your research question(s), the inquiry orientation you would
draw upon, defending why it is an appropriate strategy to use.
– Research
Design. Include the following information in this Research Design section:
a. Role of Researcher. Briefly,
but explicitly, state biases, values, personal interest in the area, and
experience with it, and discuss how these would affect your study.
b. Sample Size. Given the type of
research you would conduct, state how many participants/items you would plan to
study.
c. Sample and Context. Define the
sample you would propose to study and its characteristics. If studying human
participants, this should include, but is not limited to: 1) age, 2) gender, 3)
ethnicity, 4) additional cultural factors, and 5) education level. If studying
artifacts, media, etc., state relevant characteristics. Also give the context
as appropriate, for example, city characteristics, organizational
characteristics, etc.
d. Sampling Procedure. Define your
method of sampling. Your description should include how you would gain access
to participants/items.
e. Data Type and Collection. State
the type of data you would collect and how it would be collected.
f. Data Analysis. Briefly describe
the steps you would take to analyze the data.
g. Ethical Protection of
Participants. State briefly any ethical issues you foresee with your study.
Also, make a preliminary assessment of the level of risk associated with
participation in your study that might need to be raised with Walden’s
Institutional Review Board (IRB).
