COURSE OVERVIEW

NURS 893 Qualitative Research

Methods
Objectives
At the end of the course, you will be able to:

Analyze selected methods of data collection
Analyze data analysis approaches
Critique qualitative research studies
Write a qualitative research proposal

Course format
Online course
13 weeks 10 modules 3 modules run over 2 weeks




Content
Text, video, readings, etc.
Activities
Small group, paired,
assignments,
discussions, wiki, etc.
Reflection
Critical thinking
questions,
assignments, peer
feedback, etc.
Concept Map of NURS 893
Evaluation
Assignment 1: Research Question Development,
Literature Review (10%)

Develop a research question based on what is known and not known
about a topic .
Find five research articles and summarize using the Pinch table
template provided.
Your assignment should be 2-3 pages (maximum).
Pinch template provided.
Due: September 22, 2014

Evaluation
Background Proposal Paper (20%)
Develop a discussion paper on a qualitative research proposal.
The paper must include:
Introduction of the topic and why was it chosen
Problem statement
Purpose and specific aims (or objectives) of the proposed study
Setting: Where the study will take place
Target Population: Who is being studied
Methodological Approach: Identify and describe the approach, assumptions
of the approach, limitations and why it was chosen.
Limit of 4 pages, double spaced (excluding references and figures),
use headings.
Will also be posting paper on discussion forum. Review 3 other
papers and provide feedback to your peers.
Due: October 15, 2014


Evaluation
Grant Proposal Presentation (10%)

Share your proposal with your peers and develop a discussion to aid
you in the completion of your final proposal paper.
You will prepare a qualitative research proposal presentation
(approximately 15-20 slides) that is based on your grant proposal.
The presentation will include the following sections: Background,
Study Purpose and Aims; Methodological Approach; Sample; Setting:
Data Collection Procedures; Data Analysis: Rigor: Human Subjects;
Significance.
Will also be posting presentation on discussion forum. Review 3 other
presentations and provide feedback to your peers.
Due: November 17, 2014

Evaluation
Grant Proposal (30%)

Write a grant proposal using guidelines from an external funding
agency (Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation).
Complete the cover page of the application form (page 1), the lay
abstract (page 3) and the detailed proposal. Other parts of the
application will not be submitted. As outlined in the application, the
maximum length is 10 single spaced pages (excluding references).
APA format will be used.
Due: December 8, 2014

Evaluation
Participation (30%)

Your participation mark will be based on your engagement in the
following activities:
Small Group Methodology Review Wiki
Discussion Forum Contributions (including Peer Feedback on
Background Papers, Interview Guides, and Presentation)



Group discussion forums
In order to manage the number of posts you need to read and respond
to, you have been randomly assigned to one of 3 groups for the
discussion forums that relate to each module (including the peer
feedback on Background Papers, Interview Guides, and Presentation)
There is a general discussion forum for posts that relate to the entire
course
Please sign up for the Small Group Methodology Review Wiki of
your choice
Managing discussions
Use clear subject lines this lets people know the content of your
message.
Keep your posts clear and concise try to keep them to a maximum of
200 words. Longer posts can quickly get overwhelming.
Dont feel obligated to respond to every single post just as you
wouldnt reply to every comment in an in-person discussion, you dont
need to respond to every post in an online discussion.
If someone asks a question about one of your posts, it is courteous to
respond.
Try to be timely with your posting always posting at the end of the
week means that you are not really dialoguing with your colleagues.
You can upload resources (papers, presentations, etc) or share links in a
discussion post. If you do include extra material, its nice to provide a
brief synopsis of what the resource is about and why it might be
interesting.
Tone can be hard to read sometimes give each other the benefit of the
doubt. And feel free to use emoticons happy faces, etc. Online doesnt
mean impersonal its important to create a social and learning space.
Save, save, save!
Blackboard is set to time-out after a certain amount of inactivity, as a
security measure.
There is no warning for the time out when you go to use a tool, you will get
a message saying that your session has expired and that you need to log in
again.
Blackboard does not register composing discussion board postings as
activity it cant read this as site usage.
To prevent losing a posting due to a time out error, there are a couple things
you can do:
You can compose your postings in another text editor (Word, note pad,
or other) and then copy and paste them into a discussion message when
you are ready.
You can copy your text at regular intervals while you create your
messages.



Getting Help

ITS (Information Technology Services)
Call: 306-966-4817 or 1-800-966-4817 (toll free in Canada)
Available M-F (7am to 10pm), Sat (10am 6pm) and Sun (12-6pm)
Discussion board
The Questions and Comments board can also be used to post any
questions you have about how Blackboard works, tips on using
tools, etc.