Topic Endorsements Peer Review For This Discussion Complete
Topic Endorsements Peer Reviewfor This Discussion Complete The Follo
Choose a research topic that is appropriate for qualitative research. Present the need for this research in relation to the field. Support your conclusions with relevant sources from the academic literature. Develop a research question. Define the terms of the question citing the academic literature.
Once you have received feedback from other learners, complete the unit's assignment based on your revised discussion post. Topic Selection and Development of a Qualitative Research Question
INTRODUCTION: Choosing a research topic is not as easy as it might seem. It is unacceptable for the researcher to study something simply because it is personally interesting or because it is something he or she has witnessed in the workplace. A research topic, especially a dissertation research topic, must be firmly situated within the existent body of knowledge in a particular discipline, or it must contain interrelated knowledge from several disciplines. Therefore, the researcher must have a thorough grounding in the relevant literature.
Because of how intimately a topic is tied to current literature in the field, some excellent places to look for potential topics are in recent dissertations (within the past 5 years) and recently published journal articles. All dissertations must have a section delineating suggestions for future research. In addition, many journal articles address the next logical steps for future researchers. If you are in need of a topic, these are two places to start looking. Qualitative studies are guided by one open-ended question.
This open-ended question provides an initial framework that directs the qualitative study and maintains its focus on the topic under inquiry. The question that leads the qualitative study must match the research methodology that will be used to conduct the qualitative investigation. When designing a qualitative study, the research question is focused on before selecting a methodology. Once the researcher has selected a research topic, question, and methodology, the next step is to identify the need for the study supported by the psychological literature. These initial steps will assist the researcher in developing an appropriate research design.
Writing a Good Question for Qualitative Research: You should keep the following in mind while writing a good question for qualitative research: The research question must be a question. Qualitative studies are guided by one open-ended question. The question that leads the qualitative study must match the research methodology to be used to conduct the qualitative investigation. The question should name the phenomena that you want to investigate. The question should be written in such a way that it can be turned into a title using same or similar words, which makes it useful as keywords for someone else's search.
The following table offers examples of the type of questions that can be used for each of the five methodologies. Types of Questions for Each Methodology: Type of Question: Descriptive questions about values, beliefs, and practices of members of a cultural group under inquiry. Examples: What are the behavioral patterns of . . .? What is the culture of . . .? (e.g., ethnography questions like "What is the culture of an all-girl public school?" or "What is the culture of street corner life?")
Objectives
- Distinguish among a research problem, the purpose of the research, and research questions.
- Describe a topic suitable for qualitative methodology.
- Draft a research project statement that fully describes the problem or need being addressed.
Paper For Above instruction
Understanding the Process of Developing a Qualitative Research Topic and Question
Qualitative research is an essential approach within social sciences, enabling a deep exploration of human behaviors, beliefs, cultural practices, and social phenomena. Developing an effective qualitative research topic and question requires a systematic understanding of the field's existing literature, relevance, and the nature of qualitative inquiry. This paper explores the essential steps in selecting a suitable research topic, formulating a clear research question, and demonstrating its significance within the academic landscape.
Selecting an appropriate research topic is a foundational step in conducting meaningful qualitative research. Unlike quantitative research, which often seeks to measure variables numerically, qualitative studies aim to grasp the nuanced meanings, cultural contexts, and social processes underlying human experiences. As such, the chosen topic must fill a knowledge gap or address a complex social phenomenon that warrants detailed examination. Researchers should investigate recent literature, including current dissertations and journal articles, to identify areas needing further exploration or clarification. For example, if previous research points to cultural shifts in adolescent identity within digital environments, this topic may be suitable for qualitative inquiry.
An effective qualitative research question must be open-ended, focused on understanding phenomena from the perspective of participants, and aligned with the chosen methodology. For instance, if the focus is on cultural practices within a community, ethnography might serve as the appropriate methodology. A suitable research question might be: "What are the cultural practices that shape adolescent identity among digital natives in urban settings?" This question is broad enough to allow exploration of social and cultural meanings while being specific enough to guide data collection and analysis.
In developing research questions, it is critical to define key terms reliably, citing relevant literature to clarify concepts and ensure clarity. For example, defining "cultural practices" can be supported by anthropological literature (Hammersley & Atkinson, 2007). Such definitions ensure that the research scope is well understood and that findings contribute meaningfully to existing knowledge.
In practice, the process involves refining initial ideas through review of the literature, consultation with mentors, and feedback from peers. Once the research question is finalized, articulating the problem or need becomes clearer. For example, the problem may be the lack of understanding of how digital environments influence adolescent cultural practices, which has implications for educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals.
In sum, developing a qualitative research topic and question requires a careful balance of literature review, clarity of terms, and focus on phenomena that are complex and meaningful. Properly articulated, these elements help ensure the research will be relevant, ethically sound, and capable of producing rich, insightful data.
References
- Hammersley, M., & Atkinson, P. (2007). Ethnography: Principles in Practice. Routledge.
- Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. SAGE Publications.
- Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods. SAGE Publications.
- Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research. SAGE Publications.
- Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Applied Thematic Analysis. SAGE Publications.
- Silverman, D. (2016). Qualitative Research. SAGE Publications.
- Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. SAGE Publications.
- Flick, U. (2018). An Introduction to Qualitative Research. SAGE Publications.
- Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach. SAGE Publications.
- Saldaña, J. (2015). The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. SAGE Publications.