A guide to qualitative

research writing
Rose Uchem, MSHR, PhD
rose.uchem@unn.edu.ng
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
UNN-AuthorAID Workshop on Qualitative Research Writing
(supported by an AuthorAID workshop grant)
9 10 Dec 2015
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0
International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
 PART A: PREPARING TO WRITE A RESEARCH PAPER
PART B: WRITING THE DIFFERENT SECTIONS EACH OF A PAPER
PART C: APPENDICES
PART D: JOURNAL PUBLICATION
PART A: PREPARING TO WRITE A
RESEARCH PAPER
Steps involved
1. Problem identification
2. Preliminary library search
3. Developing an outline
4. Writing a tentative introduction/background
5. Reviewing related literature
6. Designing the research
Validating the instruments for data collection
Pilot testing/testing for reliability of the instruments
7. Observing research ethics
8. Presenting research proposal for reassurance
1. Problem identification
Problem
Think of a problem you will like to contribute to solving in the society through
a research.
Topic
Formulate a topic based on the identified problem
Draft abstract
Write an initial abstract of 250 to 300 words as for a conference paper to
capture the thoughts in your mind before you begin to consult the experts.
Summarize your thoughts and intentions on the topic.
2. Preliminary library search
Conduct a preliminary or exploratory library search on your topic
bearing in mind your initial abstract . This will include reliable internet
sources. Keep accurate notes of pages from which you take direct
quotations and complete bibliographic data for each source.
3. Developing an outline
(a) Expand the initial abstract into an outline, using the information
collected from the exploratory library search.
This is also called background or context.
This tentative abstract will form the basis of the introduction later
Developing an outline (contd.)
(b) Explain the topic very well
the meaning and why you chose it.
That is, justification for your choice of the topic. Make a statement of
the problem you want to address.
Developing an outline (contd.)
(c) State the purpose of the research
Mention what you want to achieve (purpose/aim and the specific
objectives) and the result you expect (intended outcome);
Briefly state how you plan to achieve it (method).
Developing an outline (contd.)
(d) Briefly mention how and where your ideas and suggestions could be
implemented (significance or application).
Developing an outline (contd.)
(e) Write down the questions arising in your mind related to the
identified problem or the topic. These are questions calling for answers
that could be solutions to the identified problem.
Formulate two or three of such tentative research questions.
Developing an outline (contd.)
(f) Include a short working bibliography. Make a list of six (to twelve)
articles or book chapters you actually plan to read.
Write out fully authors surname and initials, year of publication, title
of book, place of publication and publisher.
Arrange the list in alphabetical order.
4. Writing a tentative introduction
Expand the outline into the introduction as section one of the paper
under the following sub-headings: background of the study, statement
of the problem, purpose of the study, significance of the study, scope of
the study and research questions.
5. Conducting literature review
Meaning of literature review
How to conduct literature review
Conceptual framework
Theoretical framework
Review of empirical studies
Summary of the entire literature reviewed
5. Conducting literature review (contd.)
a) Select works to be reviewed
b) One author at a time
c) Use your own voice
d) Balance your sources
e) Use inclusive language
f) Use current literature
g) Use only relevant materials
h) Avoid unrealistic and impossible claims
i) Be wise in using internet sources
6. Designing the research study
Formulate your research design and construct your instrument for
data collection following given guidelines.
Describe in detail the design of the study.
Mention the area of the study,
the population of the study, the sample and sampling technique (if
applicable) adopted.
Designing the research study (contd.)
Explain very well the instrument of data collection.
Validate the instruments for data collection.
Go to an expert or a peer for this purpose. (In the report, explain how
and the reason for the validation of the instruments).
For each of these steps include a justification.
Finally describe the method of data analysis.
7. Observing research ethics
There should be informed consent from participants of an interview
or focused group discussion, for example.
The reports should also be written anonymously. These ethical
requirements are guaranteed through consent forms voluntarily
signed.
In some countries, written consent is also required for use of pictures
taken of participants.
Observing research ethics (contd.)
Plagiarism consists in an act of intellectual theft
Presenting another person's work as if it is ones own, including those
downloaded from free websites.
Examples of plagiarism are:
Copying from a source without proper acknowledgement : for example any
paper, excerpt, paragraph, or lines
From print source such as a book, project/thesis, journal, monograph, map,
chart, or pamphlet, or from a non-print source, such as the web and online
databases.
Observing research ethics (contd.)
More examples of plagiarism
Taking materials from a source, supplying proper documentation but not
using quotation marks to enclose other peoples actual works, still amounts to
plagiarism.
Paraphrasing materials from a source without documentation of that source;
purchasing a paper from a research service or a commercial term paper
syndicate
Sharing or swapping from a local source (say from student past papers or
projects that were previously submitted)
Creating invalid or faked citations
Observing research ethics (contd.)
Consequences of plagiarism?
One can be punished for plagiarism. Examples exist.
It makes ones academic achievements cheap and discredited.
Observing research ethics (contd.)
Madray (2006) has suggested the following tips for preventing
plagiarism:
Be organized: from the onset of a research project, establish order
while gathering information. This will help to alleviate confusion and
problems, especially when the time comes for the bibliography, works
cited, and reference pages to be prepared.
Observing research ethics (contd.)
Use either a literature review excel template or a note card to identify
the following:
Source of the citation:
Periodical: Author, title of article and periodical, year, vol. issue and pages
Internet: URL/web address, author, title, and the date site was accessed
Quotes: note the page numbers, enclose quoted material in quotation marks,
and include a link to the source.
Paraphrasing/summarizing: in notes, indicating points and ideas in your own
words and, again, create a parenthetical reference to the source.
8. Present research proposal
Present to your seniors or colleagues
Get feedback
Look into presenting at a conference
PART B: WRITING THE DIFFERENT
SECTIONS OF A PAPER
I. Introduction
II. Literature
III. Method
IV. Presentation of findings
V. Conclusion
VI. References
 Finalize the research report or draft manuscript
Revisit the introduction and abstract of the paper
Compile the reference list, following the accepted style
Give to another to read for you.
Correct any errors.
PART C: APPENDICES
 How to write the reference list
Sample reference list
Manuscript formatting guidelines (following specified writing style
sheet)
PART D: JOURNAL PUBLICATION
 Select appropriate journal in which to publish
Rework draft manuscript following journal manuscript guidelines
Submit your article for journal review process
Respond promptly to editors queries and/or suggestions for
improving the paper