Student Category 1 – Qualitative Research Design Proposal (QRDC 2025)
QRDC 2025 · STUDENT CATEGORY 1
GUIDELINE – STUDENT CATEGORY 1: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN PROPOSAL
Structure, assessment rubric and awards for Student Category 1, focusing on a clear and coherent qualitative research design proposal.

1. Purpose

Student Category 1 evaluates the ability of students to design a clear, coherent and methodologically sound qualitative research design proposal. The emphasis is on conceptual clarity, logical alignment and feasibility at proposal level.

  • Identifies a focused and meaningful qualitative research problem.
  • Develops aligned research purpose, objectives and questions.
  • Selects an appropriate qualitative design and explains the rationale.
  • Plans feasible sampling, data collection and analysis (proposal stage).
  • Addresses trustworthiness, ethics and expected contribution of the study.

2. Writing Guideline (Qualitative Research Design Proposal)

A. Title & Background

  • Clear and focused title that reflects the main phenomenon or issue.
  • Short background to explain the context and why the topic is important.
  • Key concepts or ideas that frame the study.

B. Problem Statement & Significance

  • Concise statement of the research problem or issue.
  • Support from literature, practice or context to justify the problem.
  • Significance of the study for theory, practice, policy or community.

C. Research Purpose, Objectives & Questions

  • Overall purpose of the study (what the research intends to achieve).
  • 2–4 specific research objectives.
  • 2–5 qualitative research questions aligned with the problem and objectives.

D. Theoretical / Conceptual Framework (If Applicable)

  • Relevant theory or model that informs the study.
  • Simple explanation of the main constructs and their relationships (diagram optional).
  • Clear link between framework, research questions and design.

E. Qualitative Research Design & Approach

  • Type of qualitative design (e.g. case study, phenomenology, grounded theory, narrative, ethnography).
  • Rationale for choosing the design and how it fits the research questions.
  • Brief explanation of the overall approach (e.g. interpretive/constructivist orientation, if needed).

F. Sampling Strategy & Participants

  • Description of research context (school, university, workplace, community, etc.).
  • Sampling strategy (e.g. purposive, criterion, snowball, maximum variation).
  • Estimated sample size, inclusion criteria and key participant characteristics.

G. Data Collection Plan

  • Planned methods (e.g. semi-structured interview, focus group, observation, document analysis).
  • Type of instruments (e.g. interview protocol, FGD guide, observation checklist).
  • Proposed procedure for data collection (sequence, duration, mode – face-to-face/online).

H. Data Analysis Overview

  • Overall analytic approach (e.g. thematic analysis, content analysis, narrative analysis).
  • Key steps (initial coding, categorising, theme development/interpretation).
  • How data will be organised and managed (software optional, e.g. NVivo, Atlas.ti, Excel).

I. Trustworthiness & Ethical Considerations

  • Strategies for credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability.
  • Ethical aspects: informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity, voluntary participation.
  • Any anticipated risks and how they will be minimised.

J. Expected Contribution

  • Expected contribution to knowledge, practice, policy or community.
  • Potential for further development (thesis, article, module, guideline, innovation, etc.).

3. Assessment Rubric (100%)

Component Description Excellent Good Basic %
Problem & Background Clarity of problem statement, background and justification. Very clear; strongly justified with relevant literature/context. Clear; reasonable justification with some references. Weak, vague or generic; minimal support. 20%
Purpose, Objectives & Questions Alignment between purpose, objectives and research questions. Highly aligned and coherent; questions clearly linked to problem. Generally aligned; minor gaps in alignment. Misaligned or unclear; questions not linked to problem. 15%
Design & Methodological Fit Appropriateness and justification of qualitative design and approach. Very appropriate and well-justified; clear fit with questions. Appropriate with some justification. Poorly justified, generic or unsuitable. 25%
Sampling, Data Collection & Analysis Plan Feasibility and clarity of sampling strategy, data collection and analysis overview. Very clear, realistic and manageable. Reasonably clear; generally feasible. Vague, incomplete or unrealistic. 20%
Trustworthiness & Ethics Consideration of rigour strategies and ethical issues. Comprehensive and clear; multiple appropriate strategies. Moderate detail; some strategies mentioned. Minimal, generic or weak explanation. 10%
Overall Coherence & Presentation Organisation, academic language and professionalism of the proposal. Highly coherent; very well written and formatted. Generally well-structured; minor language/formatting issues. Disorganised; many language or formatting issues. 10%
Total Overall Score 100%

4. Suggested Document Structure

  • Title Page & Basic Information (name, institution, programme).
  • Background, Problem Statement & Significance.
  • Research Purpose, Objectives & Research Questions.
  • Theoretical / Conceptual Framework (if applicable).
  • Qualitative Research Design & Approach.
  • Research Context, Sampling Strategy & Participants.
  • Data Collection Plan.
  • Data Analysis Overview.
  • Trustworthiness & Ethical Considerations.
  • Expected Contribution / Potential Impact.
  • Key References (basic reference list using a consistent style).

5. Awards & Recognition (Student Category 1)

A. Certificates

All student participants will receive a QRDC 2025 Digital Certificate of Participation (Student Category 1).

B. Medal Tiers (Based on Final Score)

  • Gold (Emas): 85% – 100%
  • Silver (Perak): 70% – 84%
  • Bronze (Gangsa): 50% – 69%

C. Best Student Qualitative Design Proposal – Category 1

Awarded to the highest-scoring Student Category 1 proposal with 90% and above, based on panel evaluation.

D. Publication & Showcasing

  • Top Gold entries may be featured on the official QRDC website or social media.
  • Selected students may be invited to present at the QRDC 2025 Student Showcase Session.
Designed as a premium reference and for A4 PDF export (Student Category 1).