Write a proposal for a qualitative research project.

SO120 Summative Research Design Proposal (2000 words)

Task: Write a proposal for a qualitative research project. The proposal is a summary of your research aims and plans, and should include the following elements: • Title / Research question: Qualitative research generally involves collecting and analysing non-numerical data in order to arrive at an in-depth understanding of the experiences, opinions, beliefs, concepts, etc of the participants. It is important, therefore, to choose a research topic/question that lends itself to exploring these kind of qualitative questions. • Introduction: Set the scene by outlining the objectives of your research. In what way is the proposed research significant/important/interesting/topical etc? Which groups might benefit from the research? Are there any personal reasons for you choosing this topic? • Literature review: Outline how your research relates to wider sociological questions and debates: how does it build upon, add to, replicate, or challenge previous work? There is likely to be a very large literature available on some topics, but for the purpose of this exercise a summary of four or five key pieces of previous research in your chosen area will be sufficient. • Methods: What method(s) will you use to collect your data? You must include at least one qualitative method, but you could choose to use mixed-methods (qualitative and quantitative) or multi-methods (more than one qualitative methods) if this makes sense in the context of your proposed project. Why is your selected method(s) most appropriate for your research? What benefits does the method have over other possible methods? Are there any potential weaknesses? What ontological/epistemological assumptions are you making in using this method? • Practical/ethical issues: What ethical questions are raised by your proposed research? How might you address these? How will you gain access to your chosen group? Will sampling be required? What will be the timeline for your research? • Dissemination: What will be the final outputs of the research (e.g. journal article, conference presentation, blog, museum exhibition, theatre production)? How will you spread your findings to a wider public? Who will this wider public be? The word limit for the proposal is 2000 words – so none of the above elements need to be covered in great depth. It is more important to give a sense that you understand how each component contributes to shaping the research design as a whole. Reading suggestions Any good social research methods textbook will cover the above. Some recommended ones are: Bryman, A. (2012) Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Gilbert, N. (2008) Researching Social Life. London: Sage. Matthews, B. and Ross, L (2010) Research Methods: A Practical Guide for the Social Sciences. Essex: Pearson. There is also a useful, searchable, resource here.