Valmiki Academy Qualitative Research
Valmiki Academy Qualitative Research
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You have the option of not using the sub-section "Background of the Study" and go
straight in telling the reader briefly about the problem you are planning to
investigate. Start with sentences that are simple enough to understand even for
those who are not exactly experts in the topic. Begin with presenting a broad
perspective of the problem or issue which will lead to the next sub-section
'Statement of the Problem'.
In this section, you make it clear to the reader, what you planned and how
narrowed the scope of the study and tell what the study is expected to achieve. Just
a few sentences would be sufficient. For example, The objective of this study is to
investigate which leadership style contributed to job satisfaction among staff and
the extent to which demographic variables (such as gender, age, experience,
qualifications) of staff influenced job satisfaction. At the end of the 'objectives of
the study', you could state as follows: 'Specifically, the study seeks to answer the
following research questions ..........'
Now comes the task of narrowing the scope of the study. The 'Statement of the
Problem' that you wrote about earlier is still too broad and needs to be narrowed in
the form of 'research questions'. A Research Question is a question that focuses
your study and stipulates the interaction between variables. It could also be stated
as a statement. It should be narrow enough and researchable within the time frame
and available resources for your PhD.
Check your Research Question (RQ) against the following and the FINER Checklist
attached:
Example of Research Questions:
Which leadership style enhances staff satisfaction?
Are women leaders more democratic than men leaders?
Is there a relationship between leadership style and staff
performance?
Hypothesis
A hypothesis (plural hypotheses) is a proposed explanation for
the occurrence of a specified phenomenon. For example, there is
no difference in job satisfaction between male and female
workers. In other words, you are hypothesising that male and
female staff are equally satisfied and equally
dissatisfied with their job. Some authors suggest that
hypothesis should essentially be adopted in experimental or
quasi-experimental research methods where the independent
variable can be manipulated during the study in order to create
an effect (i.e. change) on the dependent variable.
Use this checklist to test how good are your Research Questions.
Checklist for Research Question
Research Question
1. Creating a Good Research Question
2. How to write a Research Problem
3. Research
5. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Students often are confused with 'theoretical framework' and
'conceptual framework' - they are both different. Conceptual
Framework consists of two words; 'conceptual' which is the
process of forming concepts and ideas; and 'framework' which is
the structure that connects the concepts and basic ideas. As
suggested by Miles and Huberman (1994), a conceptual framework
as a graphical or narrative form of expression of the main
concepts, factors or variables studied and the presumed
relationships between them. The concepts, variables or factors
mentioned is explained in the section on "theoretical framework"
stated in the "Review of Literature" or Chapter 2. For example,
your study is about 'job satisfaction' and its relationship to
leadership style and demographic factors. In the section on
'Review of Literature' you would discuss the theories underlying
leadership style, job satisfaction and the relationship between
leadership style and job satisfaction, theories underlying
gender of the leader and job satisfaction and so forth. The
'conceptual framework' will be created by you showing the
relationships between the concepts, variables and factors you
will be invesitgating in your study. See the diagram shown
below:
Conceptual Framework Showing the Relationship Between Demography,
Leadership Styles and Job Satisfaction
8. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
Definition of Terms or also referred to as 'Operational
Definition of Terms' is a brief section consisting of definition
of key terms or concepts used in the study. For example, the
term 'socioeconomic status' may have various meanings, so it is
important to clarify to the reader the way you operationalised
the term as used in your study Unfamiliar or technical words may
also require an exact definition. The following are some
guidelines:
Only include terms that may not be well understood or open to
different interpretations. Each term should be in bold (for
emphasis) followed by a short description (not in bold). Treat
each definition as if you were quoting from a dictionary.
The list format is suggested because it is easier to read and
use one paragraph for each term.
The length of your definition paragraph depends on the number of
definitions you want to provide, so make sure to select the key
terms.
[source: A Good Example Of Definition Of Terms In A Research
Paper. 2012-2016 Mcgrath Native Council]
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