Reference no: EM133767244

Writing up qualitative research - common queries. Please use this in conjunction with the document "Qualitative Research Report Coursework Assessment Instructions"

For more detailed information about how to write up qualitative research see AWiP section 4.

Title page
• Title should provide a meaningful indication of your research‘problem/issue'. Please also provide the word count of your report (NOT includinginterview quotations, references or appendices)

Abstract
• The same general guidelines apply as for writing abstracts for quantitative studies but remember not to use experimental language, don'tmention hypotheses (as you don't have any) and don't describe your study as an experiment!

Introduction
• Qualitative research doesn't test hypotheses so there should NOT be a hypothesis statement at the end of the introduction. Rather a research aim/question which is to be explored
• Other than that, introduction for a qualitative study is very similar to a quantitative one. Classic funnel shape - start broad (but not too broad), and narrow down through relevant literature review to reasons for why your particular study is being conducted.

Methods
• Methods subsections - can be rather different than the usual protocol followed for quant reports.As such, it is difficult to be prescriptive as if you look in published articles, there are many different styles of writing up qualitative methods sections. But overall purpose is the same - i.e. to describe what was done, how it was done and how someone wishing to replicate the study would go about doing so.AWiP describes the below points in more detail but a few things you will want to think about:
o Design-not usually titled as such for a qual study but important to set out general approach being used - see AWiP for example of what this can look like in qualitative report although NOT usual to write this using personal pronouns
o Participants - similar to quant report - providing information about who participants are and how chosen
o Materials - no description of questionnaires or experimental stimuli - this sub section can include a description of the interview protocol used - i.e. how many items, how was it designed etc.
o Procedure-how was the data collected? What was done?What briefings were given? Describe the actual procedure of the study itself
o Data analysis - can be a useful sub-section particularly for qualitative reports. Sets out the analytic strategy the study will employ. I.e. what coding system was used?How were codes derived? How was the thematic analysis conducted? Important to note though, this is NOT the same as describing the actual findings (i.e. the themes themselves).
o Ethical issues - very important to consider and often more obvious than in quantitative reports.

Results
• Main purpose of a thematic analysis results section is to tell the reader what themes have been identified. Each theme should be addressed in detail (i.e. guiding the reader through its content - at both a manifest and latent level). Excerpts/quotes are used as supporting evidence.
• A good way to structure results sections is to start by briefly re-stating the research aim/research question and then providing a very brief overview of what has been found (i.e. main themes). This would be SHORT, followed by the more detailed presentation ofeach theme.
• Given the short word count for this report, you only need to report 2 themes with a minimum of2 quotes per theme. BUT note that quotes should be used selectively. Youshouldn't' overly rely on quotes as a replacement for description of what your themes show.AWiP (section 4.7) has some good points about using quotes effectively. Quotes also DON'T count towards the overall word limit.

Discussion
• You can combine the results and discussion sections together if you want (you don't have to) BUT if you do,make sure you devote enough space to telling the reader what the results are vs. just interpreting what they mean and why they occurred
• It is permissible to introduce new research/theoretical literature into the discussion as long asi) it properly relates to findings, ii) it is relevant to the general topic.
• Other than that, discussion sections can be similar to quantitative studies - i.e. brieflypresenting main results found and then interpreting what they mean and why they occurred (in relation to relevant research/theory), before considering implications of the research and providing a conclusion.

Reflexive Analysis
• You should add a short paragraph at the end of the discussion where you reflect on your own role in and impact on the research. You can use personal pronouns when writing their reflexive section BUT NOWHERE ELSE IN THE REPORT
• Limitations and future study suggestions should also be considered (could also be considered in discussion section rather than reflexive analysis)