Final Proposal- For a Grad School Data 711 Course on Qualitative Methods
Make a main idea/argument statement for something related to tech/sociology, choose a sampling method (i.e Random sampling), the methodology you′d want to use (and why it′s the best methodology), and include sample sizes if it′s applicable.
The final product for this class is a 10 to 15-page research proposal for a qualitative or mixed methods research project. You do not have to do this research project; only the proposal is required. The proposal will follow the standard proposal format with one exception:
The methods section will be expanded and include extensive information on why you chose the research method you propose and why you rejected others.
A proposal, therefore, might have the following outline: pages 1 – 3, presentation of the research question and motivating context (why we should care) pages 4- 5, literature review page 6, proposed research design pages 7-10, discuss why you selected your specific method (for example, ethnography). page 11, conclusion
What about the research question makes your chosen method best suited to answer it? Why did you not choose quantitative methods (if you did not choose mixed methods)?
If you chose mixed methods, what do you expect each element (the quantitative and the qualitative) of your methodology to address?
Suppose you chose a single qualitative method (again, such as ethnography).
What about that method makes it better suited to answering your question than other qualitative methods (such as content analysis or interviews)?
In short, the core of your proposal is a defense of your methodological choices.
