Debating Structured vs. Unstructured Methods This week, you have learned about the characteristics of structured and unstructured approaches in qualitative research. For this Discussion, you will compare the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and discuss the merits of each. To prepare for this Discussion: Consider what you have learned in your research courses about planning out the methodology for a research design. As you may recall, a structured or predetermined approach has been advocated in most, if not all, of your research textbooks up to this point. Review Chapter 5 in Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach. In this chapter, Maxwell mentions the differences between a structured and an unstructured approach to qualitative methods. To what extent do you agree with the point of view that an unstructured approach to qualitative methods can be desirable? Under what circumstances might this be true? With these thoughts in mind: QUESTION: Post a response of 2 to3 paragraphs comprising your position in this debate of the merits of structured vs. unstructured methods for qualitative research. Be sure to include direct references to Maxwell and/or Miles & Huberman either to indicate agreement with or refutation of a stance. When appropriate, be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the reading(s) and/or video program(s), using APA format Planning the Methodology Introduction You can think of qualitative research like a story. Now that you have devised the plan, it is time for you to consider exactly how that plan will be carried out. Much as a novelist outlines a novel before the writing process and then fleshes out the details of the story, you have outlined the theories that you will employ. The fleshing out will occur as you write the detailed plan for your methodology. A clear methodology will tell your readers the story of the data collection and analysis. Planning a methodology in advance will also help you to anticipate many issues that may come up and to develop alternative or contingency plans in order to make sure that you will be able to answer your research questions. Learning Outcomes By the end of this week, you will be able to: Debate the merits of structured and unstructured methods in qualitative research Defend a position on sample size necessary to produce meaningful qualitative data _____________________________________________________________________ Required Resources Course Text: Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach o Chapter 5, "Methods: What Will You Actually Do?" This chapter will guide you in conducting your research. It provides information about structured and unstructured approaches, negotiating research designs, site and participant selection, making decisions about data collection and analysis, and analyzing qualitative data. Course Text: Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook o Chapter 2, "Research Design and Management," pp. 30 37 This excerpt from Chapter 2 describes the importance and process of sampling. Course Text: Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. o Chapter 5, "Designing Qualitative Studies," pp. 264-272, pp. 311-315 Read the sections "Purposeful Sampling" and "Sample Size" from Chapter 5. These excerpts provide sampling strategies and techniques for qualitative research. Research Toolkit Handouts o Walden Dissertation Rubric Available from http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/ The Dissertation Rubric is a Word document linked in the section for PhD Dissertation Process and Documents. o Walden Qualitative Dissertations This document directs you to dissertations in the Walden Library that use a variety of qualitative approaches and disciplines.

Debating Structured vs. Unstructured Methods This week, you have learned about the characteristics of structured and unstructured approaches in qualitative research. For this Discussion, you will compare the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and discuss the merits of each. To prepare for this Discussion: Consider what you have learned in your research courses about planning out the methodology for a research design. As you may recall, a structured or predetermined approach has been advocated in most, if not all, of your research textbooks up to this point. Review Chapter 5 in Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach. In this chapter, Maxwell mentions the differences between a structured and an unstructured approach to qualitative methods. To what extent do you agree with the point of view that an unstructured approach to qualitative methods can be desirable? Under what circumstances might this be true? With these thoughts in mind: QUESTION: Post a response of 2 to3 paragraphs comprising your position in this debate of the merits of structured vs. unstructured methods for qualitative research. Be sure to include direct references to Maxwell and/or Miles & Huberman either to indicate agreement with or refutation of a stance. When appropriate, be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the reading(s) and/or video program(s), using APA format Planning the Methodology Introduction You can think of qualitative research like a story. Now that you have devised the plan, it is time for you to consider exactly how that plan will be carried out. Much as a novelist outlines a novel before the writing process and then fleshes out the details of the story, you have outlined the theories that you will employ. The fleshing out will occur as you write the detailed plan for your methodology. A clear methodology will tell your readers the story of the data collection and analysis. Planning a methodology in advance will also help you to anticipate many issues that may come up and to develop alternative or contingency plans in order to make sure that you will be able to answer your research questions. Learning Outcomes By the end of this week, you will be able to: Debate the merits of structured and unstructured methods in qualitative research Defend a position on sample size necessary to produce meaningful qualitative data _____________________________________________________________________ Required Resources Course Text: Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach o Chapter 5, "Methods: What Will You Actually Do?" This chapter will guide you in conducting your research. It provides information about structured and unstructured approaches, negotiating research designs, site and participant selection, making decisions about data collection and analysis, and analyzing qualitative data. Course Text: Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook o Chapter 2, "Research Design and Management," pp. 30 37 This excerpt from Chapter 2 describes the importance and process of sampling. Course Text: Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. o Chapter 5, "Designing Qualitative Studies," pp. 264-272, pp. 311-315 Read the sections "Purposeful Sampling" and "Sample Size" from Chapter 5. These excerpts provide sampling strategies and techniques for qualitative research. Research Toolkit Handouts o Walden Dissertation Rubric Available from http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/ The Dissertation Rubric is a Word document linked in the section for PhD Dissertation Process and Documents. o Walden Qualitative Dissertations This document directs you to dissertations in the Walden Library that use a variety of qualitative approaches and disciplines.