Kuper A, Reeves S, Levinson W. An introduction to reading and appraising qualitative research. BMJ 2008;337:a288.
Reeves S, Albert M, Kuper A, Hodges BD. Why use theories in qualitative research? BMJ 2008; 337:a949.
Hodges BD, Kuper A, Reeves S. Discourse analysis. BMJ 2008;337:a879.
Kuper A, Lingard L, Levinson W. Critically appraising qualitative research. BMJ 2008;337:a1035.
Reeves S, Kuper A, Hodges BD. Qualitative research methodologies: ethnography. BMJ 2008;337:a1020.
Lingard L, Albert M, Levinson W. Grounded theory, mixed methods, and action research. BMJ 2008;337:a567.
Examples of publications on qualitative research.
This series consists of four articles to be published consecutively in the European Journal of General Practice . The second article addresses FAQs about context, research questions, and designs. The third article deals with FAQs about sampling, data collection and analysis, and the last article focuses on trustworthiness and publishing qualitative research.
The authors wish to thank the following junior researchers who have been participating for the last few years in the so-called ‘think tank on qualitative research’ project, a collaborative project between Zuyd University of Applied Sciences and Maastricht University, for their pertinent questions: Erica Baarends, Jerome van Dongen, Jolanda Friesen-Storms, Steffy Lenzen, Ankie Hoefnagels, Barbara Piskur, Claudia van Putten-Gamel, Wilma Savelberg, Steffy Stans, and Anita Stevens. The authors are grateful to Isabel van Helmond, Joyce Molenaar and Darcy Ummels for proofreading our manuscripts and providing valuable feedback from the ‘novice perspective’.
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.
JARS–Qual, developed in 2018, mark the first time APA Style has included qualitative standards. They outline what should be reported in qualitative research manuscripts to make the review process easier.
The seventh edition of the Publication Manual also includes content on qualitative studies, including standards for journal article reporting, considerations for sharing qualitative data, and a description of case studies as a type of qualitative article.
JARS–Qual include guidance for manuscripts that report
For more information on how these standards were created, read Journal Article Reporting Standards for Qualitative Primary, Qualitative Meta-Analytic, and Mixed Methods Research in Psychology .
Return to Journal Article Reporting Standards homepage
Email an APA Style Expert if you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for modules to be included in future JARS updates.
Authors submitting qualitative manuscripts to Psychology of Religion and Spirituality ( PRS ) should familiarize themselves with the Journal Article Reporting Standards for Qualitative Primary Research (JARS-Qual) and seek to adhere to them as much as possible.
In particular, the following JARS-Qual standards are deemed especially important for authors to uphold in their submissions of qualitative research submitted to PRS .
The task force that developed JARS-Qual defines methodological integrity and its component processes as follows:
Methodological integrity can be evaluated through its two composite processes: fidelity to the subject matter and utility in achieving research goals. … Fidelity to the subject matter is the process by which researchers select procedures that develop and maintain allegiance to the phenomenon under study as it is conceived within their approach to inquiry (e.g., the phenomenon might be understood as a social construction). … The second composite process of methodological integrity, utility in achieving research goals is the process by which researchers select procedures that usefully answer their research questions and address their aims (e.g., raising critical consciousness, developing theory, deepening understanding, identifying social practices, forming conceptual frameworks, and developing local knowledge). (Levitt et al. [2018], Journal article reporting standards for qualitative primary, qualitative meta-analytic, and mixed methods research in psychology: The APA Publications and Communications Board Task Force report. American Psychologist, 73 (1), 26-46. P. 33).
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Published on September 24, 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on March 27, 2023.
The introduction to a research paper is where you set up your topic and approach for the reader. It has several key goals:
The introduction looks slightly different depending on whether your paper presents the results of original empirical research or constructs an argument by engaging with a variety of sources.
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Step 1: introduce your topic, step 2: describe the background, step 3: establish your research problem, step 4: specify your objective(s), step 5: map out your paper, research paper introduction examples, frequently asked questions about the research paper introduction.
The first job of the introduction is to tell the reader what your topic is and why it’s interesting or important. This is generally accomplished with a strong opening hook.
The hook is a striking opening sentence that clearly conveys the relevance of your topic. Think of an interesting fact or statistic, a strong statement, a question, or a brief anecdote that will get the reader wondering about your topic.
For example, the following could be an effective hook for an argumentative paper about the environmental impact of cattle farming:
A more empirical paper investigating the relationship of Instagram use with body image issues in adolescent girls might use the following hook:
Don’t feel that your hook necessarily has to be deeply impressive or creative. Clarity and relevance are still more important than catchiness. The key thing is to guide the reader into your topic and situate your ideas.
Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:
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This part of the introduction differs depending on what approach your paper is taking.
In a more argumentative paper, you’ll explore some general background here. In a more empirical paper, this is the place to review previous research and establish how yours fits in.
After you’ve caught your reader’s attention, specify a bit more, providing context and narrowing down your topic.
Provide only the most relevant background information. The introduction isn’t the place to get too in-depth; if more background is essential to your paper, it can appear in the body .
For a paper describing original research, you’ll instead provide an overview of the most relevant research that has already been conducted. This is a sort of miniature literature review —a sketch of the current state of research into your topic, boiled down to a few sentences.
This should be informed by genuine engagement with the literature. Your search can be less extensive than in a full literature review, but a clear sense of the relevant research is crucial to inform your own work.
Begin by establishing the kinds of research that have been done, and end with limitations or gaps in the research that you intend to respond to.
The next step is to clarify how your own research fits in and what problem it addresses.
In an argumentative research paper, you can simply state the problem you intend to discuss, and what is original or important about your argument.
In an empirical research paper, try to lead into the problem on the basis of your discussion of the literature. Think in terms of these questions:
You can make the connection between your problem and the existing research using phrases like the following.
Although has been studied in detail, insufficient attention has been paid to . | You will address a previously overlooked aspect of your topic. |
The implications of study deserve to be explored further. | You will build on something suggested by a previous study, exploring it in greater depth. |
It is generally assumed that . However, this paper suggests that … | You will depart from the consensus on your topic, establishing a new position. |
Now you’ll get into the specifics of what you intend to find out or express in your research paper.
The way you frame your research objectives varies. An argumentative paper presents a thesis statement, while an empirical paper generally poses a research question (sometimes with a hypothesis as to the answer).
The thesis statement expresses the position that the rest of the paper will present evidence and arguments for. It can be presented in one or two sentences, and should state your position clearly and directly, without providing specific arguments for it at this point.
The research question is the question you want to answer in an empirical research paper.
Present your research question clearly and directly, with a minimum of discussion at this point. The rest of the paper will be taken up with discussing and investigating this question; here you just need to express it.
A research question can be framed either directly or indirectly.
If your research involved testing hypotheses , these should be stated along with your research question. They are usually presented in the past tense, since the hypothesis will already have been tested by the time you are writing up your paper.
For example, the following hypothesis might respond to the research question above:
The final part of the introduction is often dedicated to a brief overview of the rest of the paper.
In a paper structured using the standard scientific “introduction, methods, results, discussion” format, this isn’t always necessary. But if your paper is structured in a less predictable way, it’s important to describe the shape of it for the reader.
If included, the overview should be concise, direct, and written in the present tense.
Full examples of research paper introductions are shown in the tabs below: one for an argumentative paper, the other for an empirical paper.
Are cows responsible for climate change? A recent study (RIVM, 2019) shows that cattle farmers account for two thirds of agricultural nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands. These emissions result from nitrogen in manure, which can degrade into ammonia and enter the atmosphere. The study’s calculations show that agriculture is the main source of nitrogen pollution, accounting for 46% of the country’s total emissions. By comparison, road traffic and households are responsible for 6.1% each, the industrial sector for 1%. While efforts are being made to mitigate these emissions, policymakers are reluctant to reckon with the scale of the problem. The approach presented here is a radical one, but commensurate with the issue. This paper argues that the Dutch government must stimulate and subsidize livestock farmers, especially cattle farmers, to transition to sustainable vegetable farming. It first establishes the inadequacy of current mitigation measures, then discusses the various advantages of the results proposed, and finally addresses potential objections to the plan on economic grounds.
The rise of social media has been accompanied by a sharp increase in the prevalence of body image issues among women and girls. This correlation has received significant academic attention: Various empirical studies have been conducted into Facebook usage among adolescent girls (Tiggermann & Slater, 2013; Meier & Gray, 2014). These studies have consistently found that the visual and interactive aspects of the platform have the greatest influence on body image issues. Despite this, highly visual social media (HVSM) such as Instagram have yet to be robustly researched. This paper sets out to address this research gap. We investigated the effects of daily Instagram use on the prevalence of body image issues among adolescent girls. It was hypothesized that daily Instagram use would be associated with an increase in body image concerns and a decrease in self-esteem ratings.
The introduction of a research paper includes several key elements:
and your problem statement
Don’t feel that you have to write the introduction first. The introduction is often one of the last parts of the research paper you’ll write, along with the conclusion.
This is because it can be easier to introduce your paper once you’ve already written the body ; you may not have the clearest idea of your arguments until you’ve written them, and things can change during the writing process .
The way you present your research problem in your introduction varies depending on the nature of your research paper . A research paper that presents a sustained argument will usually encapsulate this argument in a thesis statement .
A research paper designed to present the results of empirical research tends to present a research question that it seeks to answer. It may also include a hypothesis —a prediction that will be confirmed or disproved by your research.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
Caulfield, J. (2023, March 27). Writing a Research Paper Introduction | Step-by-Step Guide. Scribbr. Retrieved September 8, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-paper/research-paper-introduction/
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Qualitative Research Method
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How to Write a Research Methodology for a Research Paper
There are various methods for conducting scientific research. The two broad approaches to data collection include qualitative and quantitative research methods.
However, it is not easy to decide which one to choose while writing a research paper .
If you know the basic difference between both methods, you will produce a well-written and structured paper.
In this blog, we have explored what is qualitative research, its nature, purpose, and methods of data collection. By reading this, students can gain a good understanding of qualitative research, enhancing their ability to conduct in-depth studies.
So keep reading!
Qualitative research is a research methodology that aims to explore and understand the complexities of human behavior, emotions, and experiences through non-numerical data.
Unlike quantitative research, which deals in numbers and statistics, qualitative research is all about revealing the stories, and perspectives that make us uniquely human.
Let's dive deeper and discover why it's a powerful tool in the researcher's arsenal.
Qualitative research simplifies the understanding of complex human behavior and experiences. Its purpose is to:
The following are the main characteristics of qualitative research.
A detailed description of the major qualitative approaches to collecting data is given below.
In-depth interviews involve one-on-one conversations to gather detailed information about a specific topic. This method allows researchers to explore participants' motivations, inspirations, and body language.
Interviews can be conducted face-to-face, via email, or over the phone for flexibility.
Focus groups consist of small group discussions (5-15 participants) on specific topics, ideal for 'what,' 'why,' and 'how' questions about society and the environment. They can be conducted in-person or online, offering versatility in data collection.
Direct observation collects subjective data through the five senses without interference. It focuses on characteristics, not measurements, often in public settings where privacy isn't a concern.
Open-ended surveys use structured or unstructured questions to collect information on respondents' opinions and beliefs, providing insights into their perspectives.
Participant observation involves researchers actively participating in events while observing people in natural settings, offering firsthand experience and insights.
The literature review method interprets words and images from published works to analyze social life. It examines word usage in context to draw inferences and identify meanings.
The following is a comprehensive overview of the types of qualitative research methods.
The case study research method has now become the most valuable method of conducting research. It has evolved in recent years and is used to explain an entity in detail.
Moreover, it also involves a thorough understanding of different types of data sources. These include interviews, documents, reports, and observations. Mainly, this research type is used in different areas like education, social sciences, etc.
The ethnographic research method is the most familiar and in-depth observational method. It focuses on people and their behaviors in the natural environment.
Here, a researcher needs to adapt to the environment and society of the target audience to conduct better research. It helps to get a first-hand experience of the natural setting, including the customs, traditions, and culture of the subjects.
This type of research is a challenging and time-consuming process as it can last from days to years. However, geographical constraints can be an issue while collecting data.
While other methods discuss and focus on an event or activity. The grounded theory method deeply looks into the explanation and the main theory behind the event.
It requires the researcher to observe the interviews and documents to build a theory. Moreover, it usually starts with a question or collection of data. However, the sample sizes in this method are usually larger than in other methods.
This type is used in the description of an event, phenomenon, and activity. Here, methods like interviews, reading documents, visiting places, and watching videos are used.
This will help to add new insights to the existing data analysis by checking its reliability and validity.
Check out the video to learn more about the phenomenological method of qualitative research!
The narrative method is used to gather data from subjects through interviews or documents. Later, the gathered information is used to derive answers and suggestions for future research.
The historical method involves the examination of past events to draw conclusions and predictions about the future. The steps included in the method are formulating a plan, gathering data, and analyzing the sources.
Conducting qualitative research is a systematic process that involves several key steps to ensure the collection of meaningful data.
Here's a chronological guide to conducting qualitative research:
Begin by clearly defining the research objectives and questions. What do you want to learn, explore, or understand through your qualitative research? This step sets the direction for your study.
Carefully study different types of research and choose an appropriate research design based on your objectives. Common designs include case studies, ethnography, grounded theory, or phenomenology. The design informs your data collection and analysis methods.
Decide on your sampling strategy. Will you use purposive sampling to select specific participants who are most relevant to your research problem or question? Or will you employ snowball sampling to find participants through referrals?
Determine the data collection techniques that align with your research design. Depending on your approach, this may involve conducting in-depth interviews, facilitating focus groups, observing participants, or analyzing existing documents and content.
If conducting interviews, create interview guides with open-ended questions. These questions should allow participants to share their thoughts, experiences, and perspectives freely. Ensure that questions are related to your research objectives.
Collect data according to your chosen methods. For interviews, arrange and conduct interviews with participants, ensuring a comfortable and open environment. If using other techniques, follow the procedures outlined in your research design.
Record data meticulously. This may involve audio or video recordings, note-taking, or transcribing interviews. Organize and store data securely to maintain confidentiality.
Qualitative data can be in the form of interviews, transcripts, surveys, videos, audio, etc. The steps involved in qualitative data analysis are given below.
Similarly, the following are different approaches to analyzing qualitative data.
Ensure the validity and reliability of your findings. Consistently apply your chosen analysis methods and cross-check interpretations with colleagues or participants to validate your results.
Throughout the research process, uphold ethical principles. Protect the privacy and anonymity of participants, obtain informed consent, and address any ethical concerns that may arise.
Qualitative and quantitative research are two distinct approaches to conducting research. Here are the main differences between qualitative vs. quantitative research .
|
| |
| Non-numerical (e.g., narratives) | Numerical (e.g., statistics) |
| Depth, context, and interpretation | Breadth and measurement |
| Smaller and purposeful | Larger and representative |
Interviews, observations, content analysis | Surveys, experiments | |
Subjective and interpretive | Objective and statistical | |
'How' and 'Why' | 'How many' and 'What percentage' | |
Richness of data | Generalizability and precision |
To write an amazing qualitative research paper, here are some interesting topics for you.
We have also compiled a list of research paper topics in case you need more unique ideas.
Check out the examples of qualitative research to get a better idea of writing a qualitative research study.
Qualitative Research Example
Qualitative Research Paper Sample
The following discussed are the qualitative research limitations.
In Conclusion, the qualitative research method shows the idea and perception of your targeted audience. However, not every student is able to choose the right approach while writing a research paper. It requires a thorough understanding of both qualitative research and quantitative research methods.
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What are the two methods in research study.
There are two types of studies that involve observing people during a study, participant observation and non-participant observation.
Because qualitative research includes the ability to gain unique insights through deep exploration. Survey respondents are able to disclose their experiences, thoughts, and feelings without constraint or influence from an outside source.
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Although qualitative research studies can and often do change and develop over the course of data collection, it is important to have a good idea of what the aims and goals of your study are at the outset and a good plan of how to achieve those aims and goals. Chapter 2 provides a road map of the process.
Abstract. This chapter provides guidelines for writing journal articles based on qualitative approaches. The guidelines are part of the tradition of the Chicago School of Sociology and the author's experience as a writer and reviewer. The guidelines include understanding experiences in context, immersion, interpretations grounded in accounts ...
The introduction of a qualitative paper can be seen as beginning a conversation. Lingard advises that in this conversation, authors need to persuade the reader and reviewer of the strength, originality and contributions of their work [].In constructing a persuasive rationale, ECRs need to clearly distinguish between the qualitative research phenomenon (i.e. the broad research issue or concept ...
Chapters 4 through 7 consider the typical sections of a qualitative research paper— the introductory sections, Method, Results, and Discussion. These chapters emphasize aspects of reporting that are unique to qualitative research. They describe the general elements that should be reported in qualitative papers and can assist authors in devel-
Qualitative research can yield unique data that can complement the numbers generated in quantitative research, by answering "how" and "why" research questions. As you will notice in this paper, qualitative research is underpinned by specific philosophical assumptions, quality criteria and has a lexicon or a language specific to it.
Qualitative research. Qualitative research has been defined as the investigation of phenomena, typically in an in-depth and holistic fashion, through the collection of rich narrative materials using a flexible research design [].Qualitative research aims to provide in-depth insights and understanding of real-world problems and, in contrast to quantitative research, it does not introduce ...
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Whether you're a first-time researcher or seeking to refine your skills, this guide helps you navigate the many decisions of structuring and formatting your qualitative paper. We'll dive into citation styles, structural formats, and other formatting details, providing an overview and tips for creating effective and efficient qualitative ...
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These articles provide tips on what journal editors look for when they read qualitative research papers for potential publication. Also see Assessing Qualitative Research tab in this guide for additional information that may be helpful to authors.. Belgrave, L., D. Zablotsky and M.A. Guadagno.(2002).
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Identify the study's strengths and limitations (e.g., consider how the quality, source, or types of the data or the analytic processes might support or weaken its methodological integrity). Describe the limits of the scope of transferability (e.g., what should readers bear in mind when using findings across contexts).
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Qualitative data can be in the form of interviews, transcripts, surveys, videos, audio, etc. The steps involved in qualitative data analysis are given below. Organize the Data: This can be done by transcribing interviews or making detailed notes. Review the Data: Examine the data, ideas, and patterns.