Qualitative Methodology Outline for Thesis/Projects

Hello there, World-Changer!
In the midst of my Graduate Program Thesis Proposal writing at George Mason University, I prepared this Qualitative Methodology Outline for Thesis/Project . 

I will be conducting semi-structured interviews, for my project this May (IRB willing!)

I prepared this for myself, but thought it best to share this with my fellow research rookies. Happy Researching and Writing!

Design and Approach

• List Qualitative Technique (ie) semi-structured interviews
• Identify Research site/location (ie) Brunswick Community College
• Regional description (ie) beach, mountainous/rural, metro/industrial, farming

        -Why was this setting selected?

• Population Demographics (ie) number of people--race, gender, age
• Define Population/Sample taken from site
• Describe sampling techniques (ie) snowball, purposive

Data Collections

• Process of selection (ie) purposive--submitting consent forms, snowball--email response
• Who was invited?
• Who responded?
• What timeline were they given?

• Time(s)/ Duration of collection process
• Place(s)
• Collection techniques (ie) tape-recorder, notes, email exchanged questions,asynchronous online discussions
• Did you review your transcripts to ensure validity? Why or why not?
• Ethical Treatment of Data
• How did you address privacy (ie) pseudonym, number systems

Data Analysis

• Is this grounded theory?
• What coding techniques were used?
• What ways were emergent themes determined?
• Example:

Open coding: Basically, you read through your data several times and then start to create tentative labels for chunks of data that summarize what you see happening (not based on existing theory – just based on the meaning that emerges from the data). Then, Axial coding: Axial coding consists of identifying relationships among the open codes. Lastly, Selective coding: Figure out the core variable that includes all of the data. Then reread the transcripts and selectively code any data that relates to the core variable you identified.

• Disclosure? Why or why not? (ie) Federal regulations, waived consent
• Storage of data.
• How long?
• Where?

After Analysis, you can present your research findings! 

References (ASA, formatting issues within the webpage)
 
Gallicano,Tiffany D. 2013. “An example of how to perform open coding, axial coding and selective coding.” The PR Post, <http://prpost.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/an-example-of-how-to-perform-open-coding-axial-coding-and-selective-coding/>

Kiriakidisk, Peter P.; DeMarques, Lakes. 2013. “A Case Study of Student to-student Cyber Bullying in one High School.” Romanian Journal for Multidimensional Education, (2):101-118.