WRSP 917 Qualitative Methods of Research

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the research skills necessary for a successful dissertation project utilizing a variety of qualitative research methods.

Textbook Readings and Lecture Presentations

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Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussion: The Scripture that My Research Topic is Based On

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt. The thread must be 350 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 250 words. Academic citations are not required though the practice of citing the course material and scripture is encouraged. The student may also opt to do a Zoom call with the professor and other classmates in place of the written Discussion Assignment. The student and the professor will set up time(s) to engage in the “live discussion” via email. The student has the option between the Zoom call and the written Discussion.

Peer-Review Discussion: Scholarly Journal Article

Peer-Review Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, for this Discussion, the student will post his or her submission from the Scholarly Journal Article Assignment for one of his or her peers for peer-review as the thread. For the reply, the student will evaluate and give appropriate critical feedback to a peer’s Scholarly Journal Article Assignment. Utilizing the comment feature in Microsoft Word, the student will give feedback regarding content, strength of argument, appropriateness of sources, writing style, and adherence to Turabian format. Suggestions for improvement of the article should also be provided in a summary paper.

Ph.D. Research Proposal Review Assignment

The student will identify a Ph.D. research proposal preferably of the qualitative methodology under consideration (Narrative, Phenomenological, Grounded Theory, Ethnographic, Case Study or Text-Based) to survey and give an overview of the components of the proposal in written form. The review should include title information, description of the type of research method, theory/interpretative framework, use of coding, identification of research gap, research questions, and purpose of study, etc. This review should be a minimum of 1,250 words and in current Turabian format.

Topic Research Gap Assignment

The student will prepare a summary of the proposed topic for a Ph.D. dissertation in worship that he or she would like to pursue for research. This summary will be an explanation of the “gap” in the research that this would fill (i.e., why this study would be unique). The paper should be a minimum of 1250 words in current Turabian format. This assignment will contribute to the Final Research Proposal Assignment.

Scholarly Journal Article Assignment

The student will write a minimum 4000-word journal article in current Turabian format that focuses on a worship topic of interest to the student. This article should be on a core topic related to the one that the student is considering for a dissertation. The article must include at least 10 scholarly references (including journal articles) in addition to the Bible. This assignment will help with the Literature Review Assignment.

Qualitative Research Methodology Assignment

The student will propose a research plan for the proposed dissertation topic. The plan should specify the intended qualitative approach with its associated theological/philosophical assumptions and interpretive framework. It should specify the following: Research Title, Description of the Research Topic, Purpose Statement, Research Questions, Research Methodology, and a Brief Description of the Research Process, including the use of coding (if applicable). This should be approximately 5 pages. This assignment will contribute to the Final Research Proposal Assignment.

Coding Project Assignment

The student will utilize the coding project provided by Sage Publications: “Synthesizing Ethnographic Data: Fieldnotes, Interviews and Coding the Experiences of Volunteers.” After locating the project by the link provided in Canvas, the student will download the Student Guide, read through the explanation of the research process, and answer the questions at the end of the assignment.

Capstone Planning Assignment

This assignment provides the foundation for planning the capstone project required for the student’s degree plan. It also helps to identify potential faculty members who may serve on the student’s committee. The student will use a digital form to answer questions about his or her future capstone. Once submitted, the student will submit a screenshot of the confirmation page.

Literature Review Assignment

The student will provide a review of the relevant sources to support the proposed dissertation topic. The Literature Review Assignment should address all major relevant scholarly sources. This should be done following the guidelines for a literature review in a qualitative study. A bibliography should be included that does not have to be annotated but it should be in current Turabian format and should adhere to the required manual. The review should be approximately 10 pages not including the Bibliography. This assignment will contribute to the Final Research Proposal Assignment.

Final Research Proposal Assignment

This assignment will be done in stages throughout the course through the Topic Research Gap Assignment, Scholarly Journal Article Assignment, Qualitative Research Methodology Assignment, Literature Review Assignment, and this final assembling of the parts for editing and completion. The student will assemble this minimum 5000-word research proposal in current Turabian format that identifies the proposed dissertation topic for Ph.D. research. The proposal will include all required sections for a Ph.D. dissertation proposal for qualitative research design. This should adhere to the required manual.