ASSIGNMENT 1 – HMEF5103

MAY SEMESTER 2011

HMEF5103 - QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

ASSIGNMENT 1 (50%)

Objective:

The assignment is intended to help student synthesize course concepts and methodological
discussions in the context of qualitative research.

The assignment consists of two (2) tasks. The details of the tasks are explained below:

TASK I: Essay on qualitative research characteristics

Identify and describe accurately four characteristics of qualitative research and evaluate their
validity. Focus more on evaluation. You are encouraged to refer to scholarly articles and those
from class reading sessions. Do cite as many articles as you find relevant from your own
chosen field. Suggested length of the essay is 7 to 10 typewritten pages.

[20 marks]

TASK II: Research Critique (30 marks)

You are task with locating 2 published qualitative empirical research reports/ articles in your field
of interest. What is important is that the work is data-based-research report (not mere reviews or
position papers). Understand that a critique is framed around value-based judgments and you
are encouraged to reflect on the reports/articles for their plausible and coherent arguments,
adequacy of evidence and representation. You must attach the two reports/articles used
together with the assignment. There are three parts for you to consider that can help your
critiquing of the research reports/ articles.

a. Description of the report/article which include complete reference, review of literature,

explanation of the relevance of the reports/articles in terms of the methodological
perspective chosen.
[12 marks]

b. Thorough discussion of the methods employed by examining similarities and differences

between the two reports and the justification for their use. Consider briefly the analyses
carried out. Address key methodological issues such as the appropriateness of the
analytical approaches and the ways in which data was presented, ethics and validity.

[15 marks]

c. Consider the data presentation and style of writing in terms of consistency and
coherence of arguments, format and contribution to knowledge.
[3 marks]
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 ASSIGNMENT 1 – HMEF5103

Guidelines

 Your assignment should be typed on A4 paper using 12 pt Times New Roman and 1.5
spacing.

 You are to submit a softcopy of your assignment online through myVLE and a hardcopy to
your facilitator.

 Documents to be submitted are:

(1) Essay on qualitative research characteristics
(2) A critique of data-based-research reports/articles
(3) Two reports/articles used in the critique

 Plagiarised assignment will be rejected.