Qualitative research proposals and reports

In essence, a well-developed qualitative proposal provides: 1. A clear statement that specifies the phenomenon to be studied; 2. Documentation of a need for study, with specification of the significance of the study for nursing (or social science in general); 3. Acknowledgement of the researcher's a priori orientation(s) and perspective(s) with articulated questions about the attendant presuppositions; 4. Identification of the qualitative approach with a rationale for its selection; 5. Specification of the design with attention to: a. what data are sought, b. how and when those data will be solicited, c. how relationships with research participants will be initiated, maintained, and terminated, d. how data will be managed, e. how data will be analyzed and related to preexisting knowledge, f. how findings will be reported.