Module 3

• Design of Qualitative Research. Qualitative research is an emergent design which means that it emerges as you make ongoing decisions about what you have learned. As a design, qualitative research requires researcher’s decision-making like how to gather data, from where and whom to collect, when to gather, and for how long is the process will be. To have a holistic picture of qualitative research project, you have to remember that in deciding on a topic, you have to consider the kind and the field it belongs, as well as its relevance to your daily life.
• Interest in the subject matter - You are interested about the topic because you have experienced it.
• Availability of information - It is important that when you decide on a topic, sources of information are available.
• Timeliness and relevance of the topic - The topic you have chosen can be of significance to the community.
• Limitations on the subject - Sometimes, topic is limited to what the teacher suggests. An example of this is when the teacher asks the entire class to focus on COVID-19 pandemic, then you have no freedom to explore other topics aside from what is given.
• Personal resources -Consider also if you can finish the research in terms of your intellectual and financial physical capabilities.
• Controversial topics - Avoid highly opinionated topics.
• Highly technical subjects - Too technical topics requires expertise. If you don’t have enough knowledge about it, then look for another one.
• Hard-to-investigate subjects - Unavailability of reading materials and materials that are not updated make the subject hard to investigate.
• Too broad subjects - You lack focus if you deal with broad topics. The remedy is to narrow it down.
• Too narrow subject - Some subjects are too narrow that extensive and thorough reading are required.
• Vague subjects - Titles that start with indefinite adjectives such as several, many, some, etc., make the topic vague.