Qualitative Research Methods – BUSI 815

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

This course examines the qualitative method used in doctoral research, with a focus on five qualitative designs: narrative, phenomenological, grounded theory, ethnographic, and case study. Underpinning philosophical assumptions are presented in context with the selected qualitative designs. The course also covers data collection, analysis, and validation measures appropriate for qualitative research.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Selecting the appropriate method for exploring or examining business problems is a critical step in the research design process. Once it has been determined that a qualitative approach is suitable for addressing the research question, the qualitative researcher is presented with several options for inquiry design. Understanding the features and differences of each design can assist the researcher in selecting the best route for exploring the business problem to obtain actionable results. While paralleling quantitative research requirements, data collection, analysis, validity and reliability measures in qualitative research involve distinct language and protocol.

Course Assignment

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (6)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, this course requires 6 distinct discussions. Each thread must be at least 500 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 at least 250 words.

Literature Review: Draft Submission Assignment

The Literature Review: Final Submission Assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool. This assignment will allow students to submit a draft of the final submission and make any necessary edits prior to submitting the final assignment.

Literature Review: Final Submission Assignment

This course requires one Literature Review paper. The paper is to be written in strict conformance to current APA standards, contain 8–10 pages of content (excluding the title page, abstract, and reference page), and use at least 12 peer-reviewed references.

Narrative Assignment

This course requires one Narrative Assignment. After reviewing the Learn material for the assigned module, the student will address the following in a paper in current APA format:

  1. Provide a description of the narrative design and when it is appropriate to use this design.
  2. Describe 2 problems or challenges the student might encounter when using this design, and how these may be addressed by the researcher.
  3. Provide a problem statement pertaining to doctoral persistence/attrition of business students.
  4. Craft 2 qualitative research questions that appropriate for narrative design.
  5. Compose a purpose statement to address one of these research questions that aligns with a narrative design.

Phenomenology Assignment

This course requires one Phenomenology Assignment.

After reviewing the Learn material for the assigned module, the student will address the following in a paper in current APA format:

  1. Provide a description of the phenomenological design and when it is appropriate to use this design.
  2. Describe 2 problems or challenges the student might encounter when using this design, and how the researcher might address these challenges.
  3. Provide a problem statement pertaining to doctoral persistence of business students.
  4. Craft 2 qualitative research questions that appropriate for phenomenological design.
  5. Compose a purpose statement to address one of these research questions that aligns with a phenomenological design.

Case Study Assignment

This course requires one Case Study Assignment.

After reviewing the Learn material for the module, the student will address the following paper in current APA format:

  1. Provide a description of the case study design and when it is appropriate to use this design.
  2. Describe 2 problems or challenges the student might encounter when using this design, and how the researcher might address these challenges.
  3. Provide a problem statement pertaining to doctoral persistence of business students.
  4. Craft 2 qualitative research questions that appropriate for case study design.
  5. Compose a purpose statement to address one of these research questions that aligns with a case study design.

Grounded Theory and Ethnography Assignment

This course requires 1 Grounded Theory and Ethnography Assignment.

After reviewing the Learn material for the module, the student will address the following in a paper in current APA format:

  1. Provide a description of each design and when it is appropriate to use each design.
  2. Describe 2 problems or challenges the student might encounter when using each design, and how the researcher might address these challenges.
  3. Provide a problem statement pertaining to doctoral persistence of business students.
  4. Craft 2 qualitative research questions; one that is appropriate for grounded theory, and one that is appropriate for ethnography.
  5. Compose a purpose statement to address one of these research questions that aligns with the selected design (choose one).

Interview Transcript Assignment

In an effort to give the student some hands-on experience with both interviewing and analyzing interview data, he/she is required to conduct two (2) recorded interviews lasting a minimum of 5 minutes each. The student must interview individuals who are knowledgeable on the research topic of doctoral persistence (either as experts or those who have had success in this area) and use the revised interview questions that he/she presented and received peer feedback prior in the course.

Qualitative Data Analysis Assignment

This course requires one Qualitative Data Analysis Assignment. After reviewing the Learn material for the module, the student will write an APA-formatted paper.