Guidelines for Writing Qualitative Research Assignment in APA 7 Format

Abstract (2%)

• The assignment (except for the Abstract) must be double spaced and use one of the following fonts and font size: 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode or 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, 10-point Computer Modern.

 

• APA 7 formatting

 

• Typed and submitted to the dropbox in eLearn.

 

• The Title Page, the Abstract and every Appendix, must each be on pages of their own. 

 

• For the rest of the assignment, each subsection should be subtitled, the subtitle title should be in bold font and numbered the way it appears in these instructions and lined up with the left hand margin. Each of these numbered sections follows the other and none appear on their own page except for the title page, the abstract and the appendices.

 

• The assignment can be written in the first person.

 

• You will be marked on spelling and grammar

 

• This should be a REAL title that describes the research. Qualitative Research Assignment is NOT an acceptable title.

• APA style 

 

Abstract (2%)

 

• The word abstract appears in capital letters and is centered at the top of the page  

 

• Drop down four spaces and write the abstract. The abstract summarizes the project and must be no more than 150 words in one paragraph. The abstract should provide the problem statement (the hypothesis), the research methodology, the conclusion and any implications for further study since the abstract is written after your analysis. 

 

• The abstract is written in the third person and is single spaced. 

I. Introduction   (4%)

The introduction begins with a broad statement about the research method and research plan and then proceeds to narrow the focus to your specific research. 

 

• Refer to the articles you read and your textbook (if you purchased one) to include a BRIEF overview of field research. Make sure your references are properly cited. 

 

• You should also make reference to the social theory you used. 

 

• In this section you can make reference to the information included in your proposal.

II The Limitation (4%)

In a few fairly short paragraphs, describe as clearly and concisely as possible the limits of the research problem and the limits of your ability to carry out the research.  

 

• Include some ideas about the limitations of field research as a methodology and refer to your proposal and the article you summarized.

I. Introduction (4%)

III. Methodology (20%)

 The purpose of this section is to describe exactly how the research (in this case field research) was carried out. Refer to your class notes and reference your textbook and the articles you’ve read to help with this section. You must include: 

 

• What non participant observation is and an explanation of the implications of using the non-participant method of research.

 

• Where the participants were found.

 

• Why you chose the place where they were found.

 

• The approximate number of participants.

 

• How you got cooperation (if you used a gatekeeper).

 

• How you took your field notes.

 

• Any other procedures that are relevant.

IV. Description (30%)

 In this section you write your description of the observation in great detail. Include at least the following points as a guideline, but as well this section should include all the details that were discussed in class.  Refer to your textbook and the handouts from class.

• A detailed description of the environment or setting

 

• A detailed description of the “participants”; i.e. who belongs and who doesn’t, how you know this - gender, age, ethnicity, etc.

 

• A detailed description of behaviour, action, activity, verbal behaviour, front and back stage behaviour

V. Analysis Of Result (25%)

Use your field notes to look for patterns that will help you explain the behaviour you are explaining. You might also make reference to outside sources (course materials, other  course materials, academic sources making sure to cite), to help you find the patterns in behaviour you might find.

• Discuss the results of the data you collected - this is where you interpret and evaluate what you found. 

 

• Analyze and interpret what you found. It is expected that you will make reference to your field notes.

 

• Did any patterns emerge? How did you recognize front and backstage behaviour?

 

• This is the section where you attempt to attach meaning to social behaviour and develop your hypothesis. What is the first order explanation and the second order explanation?

VI. The Hypothesis (2%)

The hypothesis should be one clear statement that emerges from your observational research and is written in the form of a statement that suggests something about the meaning you have attached to the behaviour you have observed. At most the hypothesis can be two sentences, but ideally it should be one. The hypothesis emerges from your analysis.

VII. Conclusion  (3%)

• How the hypothesis emerged from the analysis?

 

• Were your expectations different from what you found?  Why you think this happened  it usually means that you discovered something you weren’t expecting  what was it?

 

• Make sure to suggest what further research could be done. What you would do differently if you were to do it again?