Sample Documents and Forms
Note from the author:
Students are interested in seeing examples of research proposals that might be used as a model as they develop their own proposal. Because qualitative research does not follow a specific format, it is difficult to design a single proposal that would fit the many approaches that might be taken.
I have identified a number of resources that might prove helpful as you progress along the way. In the first section, I have selected a number of websites and journal articles that you might find useful.
In the next section, I have prepared two sample research proposals that you can use as models or adapt to your own particular situation.
The third section includes links to research proposals prepared by others.
I want to emphasize that you should be guided by expectations at your own institution and by your mentor. But these resources should prove helpful to you.
Finally I have offered examples of the type of information that should be included in letters that you might need to develop to obtain permission for conducting research. Institutions vary with regard to the detail they want you to include in such permission letters. It is best to consult with your own Institutional Review Board (IRB).
» Research Proposal Websites
Kerlin’s website. Research proposals
http://kerlins.net/bobbi/research/qualresearch/proposals.html
She offers a number of links to proposal web sites. I did not find any of these especially helpful.
Pajares, F. (2007). Elements of a proposal. Available from the author.http://www.des.emory.edu/mfp/proposal.html
Perhaps you are not sure what a traditional research proposal looks like. Pajares’ detailed outline provides an excellent reference.
Heath, A. (1997). The proposal in qualitative research. The Qualitative Report, 3(1). http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR3-1/heath.html
Although written more than ten years ago, this site will pop up frequently in almost any search you do. It is an outline of the sections that Heath thought should be included. It is worth looking at today. I completely agree with Heath that you should begin your proposal with something interesting. Your goal is to capture the interest of the reader. Caulley (2008) advises the same thing in his paper titled “Making qualitative research reports less boring.” I wonder why we are still writing in such a stilted fashion. He suggests that you explain the assumptions of your research paradigm. I agree. Further, he suggests that you suggest appropriate criteria for evaluating the proposal. This is an interesting concept. For its time, this is an excellent outline.
De Chesnay, M., & Anderson, B. (2008). Caring for the vulnerable: Perspectives in nursing theory, practice, and research, Second Edition. Boston: Jones and Barlett. You can purchase an eTextbook at http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763751098/
Although written for nurses, this book includes a very helpful chapter on methodological and ethical issues in research. Chapter 13 (pp. 160 - 169) includes a detailed example of writing a research proposal – either qualitative or quantitative – and the different ways it might be approached. I think you will find it helpful to compare the two types of proposals.
Writing Qualitative Research Proposals by Joan Bottorff
http://www.vchri.ca/i/pdf/WritingQualitative.pdf
A PowerPoint presentation for writing proposals. Bottorff’s field is nursing but information can be generalized.
Writing Proposals for Qualitative Social Research
http://forms.gradsch.psu.edu/current/grantwriting_hinrich_qualitative.pdf
An outline for a qualitative grant-writing workshop, Fall 2008, this site provides an excellent outline. It includes a paper prepared by Silbey of Massachusetts Institute of Technology with some specific questions to be addressed. This would be particularly helpful if writing a proposal for funding. Good reference list.
Individual Qualitative Research Proposal. http://www.sonoma.edu/users/s/smithh/psy441/pages/proposal.pdf
Here is a one-page checklist that quantifies the idea. Points total 100. The only concession I can see to the qualitative aspect of the task is that in the design and methodology section, there are three points usually not found in quantitative work—trustworthiness/validity, personal biography, and ethical considerations. I include this here, but I do not want you to be so strict in what you do. Again, it seems to me that this is written to appease traditionalists.
About a Qualitative Research Proposal
http://researchpaperz.net/blog/2008/12/18/about-a-qualitative-research-proposal/
This is a site that will write a proposal for you for a fee. This might be an interesting site to look at. But please do your own work.
» Sample Research Proposal Outlines
I include two examples of elements that you might include in a qualitative research proposal. The first example comes at the task from a fairly traditional viewpoint. The second example is less structured.
Example 1: A Traditional Qualitative Research Proposal
Example 2: A Contemporary Qualitative Research Proposal
» Links to Research Proposals
Graves, S. (1997). Pre-service teachers’ beliefs about the nature of science and science teaching.
http://www.ecoguild.com/qualitative-proposal.html
This proposal follows a fairly traditional format, although Graves writes in the first person. Because the proposal was written more than ten years ago, the references are quite dated. The usual sections include introduction, review of related literature, and significance of study.
The next heading—why I’m interested in this study—sets it apart from a traditional quantitative study. He seems to have some very lofty goals. He also includes one paragraph that seems to lump together qualitative research approaches; I do not think he uses any specific approach. Later he addresses assumptions of qualitative approaches. Another interesting section is researcher competence in which he addresses his coursework and begins self reflection in which he addresses his own learning style.
While not polished and somewhat dated, I suggest you look at this proposal to see an example.
Kelley, K. (n.d.). The social construction of “out”
http://homepage.mac.com/adcottrell/ann/408/Kelley.htm
This proposal (and the one by Sargent) is taken from a class assignment in Cottrell’s class at San Diego State University. It provides a good rationale, but is very brief with regard to methods.
Sargent, P. (n.d.) Men teachers: Why so few?
http://homepage.mac.com/adcottrell/ann/408/sargent_proposal.htm
I suggest you look at this proposal. It is written by a student who plans to use interviews and observations to study men who work with young children. It is direct and easy to follow. He describes how he plans to recruit participants and includes sample letters for recruitment and permission.
Silbey, S. (2003). Designing qualitative research projects.
web.mit.edu/anthropology/faculty_staff/silbey/pdf/49DesigningQuaRes.doc
(Note- to access this document, please copy above link into Google.)
This is a short document prepared for a National Science Foundation (NSF) workshop on qualitative methods in sociology. Following an explanation of what qualitative research is and why proposals are often not prepared in detail, Sibley offers a research design that includes traditional elements found in other proposals. She stresses that she believes in flexibility, iteration and adjustment to situations. The document includes a two-page proposal that was funded by NSF. It gives a flavor of a brief proposal.
» Letters of Permission
If you plan to conduct research in a school system, you will most likely need to develop a way to either request permission from parents or to have parents choose not to grant permission to conduct research on the children. Many of these consent documents are governed by federal regulations. I suggest you check with your own institution’s office of human subjects or institutional review board to see if they provide any examples. Below are elements that would usually be included in such a permission letter.
A letter typically has the following components:
Who is conducting the study—institution, supervisor, and the researcher
Very brief explanation about specific student activities—being interviewed, taking test, being observed, etc. and how long it will take
Brief explanation about benefits—such as learn more about how your child learns
Assurances about no risk, anonymity, and confidentiality, and opportunity to withdraw
Contact information—institutional review board, supervisor, and researcher including phone numbers and email addresses
Signature of researcher
Name of Student
Printed and signed signature lines
Date
Where/how to submit—this is the tricky part. You can either instruct parents to sign and return the letter if they grant permission. Or, you can instruct parents to sign only if they DO NOT want their student to participate.
This type of letter would be sent home with student. For schools that are electronically involved, such a letter might be sent and received via email.
You will be able to find many links that provide detailed examples. The Office of Human Subjects at Auburn University provides many detailed examples. http://www.auburn.edu/research/vpr/ohs/sample.htm
For information about conducting research with minors, you should look at documents prepared by the Research Compliance Office at Stanford University. http://humansubjects.stanford.edu/research/documents/ConsentProtocolsChildrenConsentingMinors.pdf