DDBA 8303 Small-Scale Qualitative Research Project Overview ✓ Solved

DDBA 8303 Small-Scale Qualitative Research Project Overview

The primary Assignments for this course involve the completion of a small-scale qualitative research project, which is intended to walk you through some of the conceptual challenges you will face when doing qualitative research and to help you build skills in doing such research. This series of Assignments focuses on you conducting interviews with at least two individuals and then transcribing the interviews and coding the interview transcriptions into a qualitative research format. The purpose of this handout is to provide supplemental information to help you successfully complete this series of Assignments.

Elements of Your Study – By Week. Week 1: Selecting Your Small-Scale Project Subject During Week 1, you should identify at least two potential interviewees and the topic for your small-scale qualitative research study. Ideally, you would seek to identify individuals who may be related to a general topic that you intend to examine for your Doctoral Study. However, given the short timeframe in which you are to choose a topic and identify your interviewees, you may have to rely on what is termed “convenience sampling.” In other words, you would choose a topic and people that you can access conveniently in order to complete the project in a timely manner.

Once you have chosen your topic and interviewees, post (a) a two-paragraph summary of the process by which you selected your business problem, your interviewees (two or more), and how you will gain access to your participants and (b) a brief rationale for why you have chosen this topic and detailed information identifying why the interviewees are appropriate.

Week 2: The Interview Guide During Week 2, you will prepare for your interview by completing the Interview Guide Template. You will submit your completed Interview Guide Template, which will include the following components: Primary Business Research Phenomenon, Research Question (Level 2), Primary Research Goal(s), Initial Probe Questions, Targeted Interview Questions (Level 1), Targeted Follow-up Questions, Wrap-up Question.

Week 3: Conducting the Interviews During Week 3, you will begin planning the interview process and preparing for your interviews. You will review the Required Media on planning and conducting interviews in preparation for conducting your interviews and submitting your interview transcriptions next week. Remember, your interviews should last 15–20 minutes and must be audio-recorded. As a reminder, there is no submission due this week, but you should work to complete your interviews and transcriptions for next week.

Week 4: Conducting the Interviews During Week 4, you should conduct the actual interviews. Seek to conduct the interviews in a comfortable and quiet location. Bring your prepared Interview Guide Template and a dependable recording device. You are required to record the interviews and also take notes to reconstruct the interviews should your recording fail. You will submit your completed interview transcriptions, which each should include no more than 20 minutes of transcribed material.

Week 5: Coding of the Interview and Theme Analysis In Week 5, you will use your completed transcription document to code your transcriptions and identify themes. Submit the Transcript and Coding Template for both interviews, including your research questions, a list of codes, a description of your coding process, and in-text coding for your interviews.

Week 6: Small-Scale Qualitative Research Project Write-Up Finally, in Week 6, you will write up and submit a 5- to 7-page synthesis detailing the process and results of your small-scale qualitative research project. Your synthesis should include Background of the Problem, Research Problem, Interview Questions, Data Collection, Data Analysis, Presentation of Findings, Conclusion, and References (in APA format).

At the completion of this series of Assignments, you will have a small working model of the qualitative research project process! Remember, you worked on just a 20-minute sequence, based on two interviews.

Paper For Above Instructions

Qualitative research is a crucial part of understanding human behavior and social phenomena. It focuses on the meanings, concepts, definitions, and characteristics that individuals attribute to their experiences, making it particularly suitable for exploring complex issues in depth. This paper outlines the process of a small-scale qualitative research project, from selecting the research topic and interviewees to coding the transcriptions and analyzing themes. Through this step-by-step guide, I aim to demonstrate the critical aspects involved in qualitative research, ensuring a well-organized and comprehensive approach.

In the initial week, I will focus on defining my project and identifying potential interviewees. I plan to conduct interviews with professionals in the nonprofit sector, particularly those involved in organizational change, to explore their perspectives and experiences. This topic aligns with my broader research interest in understanding how organizations adapt to challenges in today's rapidly evolving environment. My interviewees will include two mid-level managers from nonprofit organizations, as they can provide insight into the daily operations and challenges faced in implementing organizational changes. Access to these participants is feasible due to my prior connections in the sector.

In Week 2, I will develop an Interview Guide Template to structure my interviews effectively. The primary business phenomenon I want to investigate is organizational change within nonprofits. I will construct my research question to focus on how these organizations navigate challenges and foster collaboration across multiple national units. My interview questions will include various levels of probes, aimed at uncovering deeper insights into the participants' experiences and the processes involved in navigating change. This structured approach will facilitate a thorough exploration of their perspectives.

Weeks 3 and 4 will involve conducting the interviews. The interviews will be audio recorded to ensure accurate data collection while also taking notes for reference to reconstruct any portion of the discussions if needed. This practice aligns with qualitative research principles, ensuring I have robust data to analyze. Each interview is anticipated to last approximately 15-20 minutes, allowing a focused discussion while respecting the participants' time.

Week 5 will be devoted to coding the transcriptions and identifying themes. This step is crucial in qualitative research, as it transforms raw data into interpretable findings. I will develop a coding framework based on recurring concepts identified in the interview transcripts, linking them back to my original research questions. For instance, codes may emerge around themes of "resistance to change," "collaboration dynamics," and "leadership in nonprofit sectors." This process will enhance my understanding of the underlying issues within organizational change.

In Week 6, I will synthesize all aspects of my qualitative research into a well-structured write-up. This synthesis will include the background of the problem, a comprehensive description of the research issues, the interview questions employed, a detailed account of the data collection and analysis process, the presentation of the findings, conclusions drawn, and references in APA format. I aim to achieve a cohesive narrative that presents my research process and findings clearly and persuasively.

The culmination of this small-scale qualitative research project will not only fulfill the requirements of the course but also contribute to my understanding of qualitative methodologies. Engaging with real-world issues and individuals will enhance my research skills and deepen my insights into the intricate dynamics of organizational behavior in the nonprofit sector. As I move forward in my academic journey, the experiences and skills developed through this project will serve as a solid foundation for my future research endeavors.

References

• Grama, B., & Todericiu, R. (2016). Change, resistance to change and organizational cynicism. Studies in Business and Economics, 11(3), 47-54.
• Henry, K.M. (1999). CARE International: Evolving to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Retrieved from [URL]
• Sanders, J., Dorenbosch, L., Grà¼ndemann, R., & Blonk, R. (2011). Sustaining the work ability and work motivation of lower-educated older workers: Directions for work redesign. Management Revue, 22(2), 132–150.
• Spector, B. (2013). Implementing organizational change: Theory and practice (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson.
• Welankiwar, R. (2009). CARE CEO Helene Gayle on shaking up venerable organization. Retrieved from [URL]
• Yin, R. K. (2017). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. Sage Publications.
• Glesne, C. (2016). Becoming qualitative researchers: An introduction. Pearson.
• Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory. Sage Publications.
• Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. Sage Publications.
• Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage Publications.