Doctor of Ministry Program - Centre for Critical Qualitative Health ...

Grading criteria
The assignment will be assessed on the development of the research question, clarity of
the description of the interview process and observations, interview methods employed,
coding and thematic analysis of the data, and your preliminary interpretations. The paper
should be done in full written form, with proper citations and references. The paper
should include an introduction, body with sub-headings and conclusion. Readings from
Weeks 2-6 should be used to meet the assignment criteria and referenced appropriately.
The sub-headings can follow the six points listed above. There are creative aspects to this
assignment that cannot be structured, such as how you choose to demonstrate your coding –
coloured highlighers; italics, etc.
2) Development of a Research Proposal or Ethics Protocol (Proposal) (50%)
Due Date: December 10, 2009
You will formulate a research proposal or ethics protocol for investigation from within
the qualitative paradigm. Your research proposal may reflect a grounded theory,
CBR/CBPR, arts-based or indigenous approach. Based on the question(s), your proposal
must clearly identify the focus, rationale, theoretical framework, design, data collection
methods to be used, method of analysis, ethics, reflexivity, and issues of trustworthiness.
The following issues should be addressed:
1) Background of the major issue(s) to be addressed
2) Overview of the theoretical perspectives and literature relevant to the problem
being studied
3) Statement of the research question and objectives
4) Explanation and description of the design of how the research will achieve its
objectives
5) Sampling procedures, data collection (fully developed interview guide as an
Appendix), and description of data analysis appropriate to the method selected
6) How the trustworthiness is achieved
7) Anticipated significance for social work practice and/or policy
8) Consideration of the social location of the researcher and how various power
differentials between the researcher and the researched, and among the people
who are involved in the research is addressed (e.g., research objectives, sampling
and practice implications)
9) A convincing argument that the results and outputs will be used in the
community it is intended for (accountability)
The sub-headings should look like this:
• Introduction
• Method
a. design selection
b. sample-size, rationale, recruitment strategy
c. data collection (including the interview guide)
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