Student Category 2 – Full Qualitative Research Design (QRDC 2025)
QRDC 2025 · STUDENT CATEGORY 2
GUIDELINE – STUDENT CATEGORY 2: FULL QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN
Comprehensive structure, scoring rubric and awards for Student Category 2, focusing on a full qualitative research design suitable for mini thesis or dissertation proposal.

1. Purpose

Student Category 2 evaluates the ability of students to design a complete and rigorous qualitative research study, including clear problem, strong methodological justification, detailed sampling, data collection and analysis plans, as well as trustworthiness and ethics.

  • Formulates a well-justified research problem and significance.
  • Develops coherent aim, objectives and research questions.
  • Selects and justifies an appropriate qualitative design and approach.
  • Plans realistic sampling, data collection and analysis procedures.
  • Addresses trustworthiness, ethics and potential contribution.

2. Writing Guideline (Full Qualitative Research Design)

A. Title, Background & Significance

  • Focused title capturing the main phenomenon, group and context.
  • Background explaining the broader context and key issues.
  • Clear significance of the study for theory, practice, policy or community.

B. Problem Statement

  • Concise and precise statement of the main research problem.
  • Supported by relevant literature, practice-based evidence or preliminary observations.
  • Shows a clear gap or need for qualitative exploration.

C. Aim, Objectives & Research Questions

  • Overall aim describing what the study intends to achieve.
  • 2–4 specific research objectives that break down the aim.
  • 2–5 qualitative research questions clearly aligned with objectives and problem.

D. Theoretical / Conceptual Framework

  • Relevant theories, models or key concepts guiding the study.
  • Explanation of main constructs and proposed relationships (diagram encouraged).
  • Clear link between framework, research questions and design.

E. Qualitative Research Design & Approach

  • Specific qualitative design (e.g. case study, phenomenology, basic grounded theory, narrative, ethnography).
  • Rationale for selecting this design in relation to the research questions.
  • Philosophical/epistemological orientation (if appropriate, e.g. interpretivist/constructivist).

F. Research Context, Sampling Strategy & Participants

  • Description of the setting (institution, community, organisation, etc.).
  • Sampling strategy (purposive, criterion, snowball, maximum variation, etc.).
  • Estimated sample size, inclusion/exclusion criteria and participant characteristics.

G. Data Collection Methods & Instruments

  • Primary methods: interview, focus group, observation, document analysis (single or multiple).
  • Instruments: interview protocol, FGD guide, observation checklist, document analysis matrix.
  • Detailed procedure: sequence, duration, mode (online/face-to-face), language and logistics.

H. Data Analysis Plan

  • Overall approach (e.g. thematic analysis, content analysis, narrative analysis).
  • Step-by-step process: familiarisation, coding, categorising, theme development, interpretation.
  • Organisation of data (use of software or manual methods, file naming, data management).

I. Trustworthiness & Ethics

  • Trustworthiness: credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability (with examples).
  • Ethical considerations: consent, confidentiality, anonymity, data protection, approvals.
  • Any potential risks and mitigation strategies.

J. Timeline & Expected Outputs

  • Simple timeline of phases: preparation, data collection, analysis, writing.
  • Expected outputs (thesis, dissertation, article, module, guideline, etc.).
  • Potential impact or contribution of the finished study.

3. Assessment Rubric (100%)

Component Description Excellent Good Basic %
Background, Problem & Significance Clarity of context, problem statement and rationale. Very clear and strongly justified with relevant sources. Clear with some justification. Vague, generic or weak justification. 15%
Aim, Objectives & Research Questions Coherence and alignment between aim, objectives and questions. Highly aligned, coherent and well-formulated. Generally aligned with minor gaps. Misaligned or unclear. 15%
Design & Methodological Alignment Appropriateness and justification of qualitative design and approach. Very appropriate, strongly justified, clearly linked to questions. Appropriate with some justification. Poorly justified or not well linked. 20%
Sampling & Context Clarity and feasibility of context, sampling strategy and participants. Very clear and realistic. Reasonably clear. Vague or unrealistic. 10%
Data Collection & Instruments Suitability and clarity of methods and tools. Strong, well-described and appropriate. Clear but may lack some detail. Inadequate description or unsuitable. 10%
Data Analysis Plan Logic, detail and clarity of analysis procedures. Very logical, systematic and detailed. Generally clear and logical. Superficial or unclear. 10%
Trustworthiness & Ethics Consideration of rigour strategies and ethical issues. Comprehensive and clearly explained. Moderate detail. Minimal or weak. 10%
Overall Coherence & Presentation Structure, language, formatting and professional presentation. Highly coherent and professional. Generally clear and organised. Disorganised or weak language. 10%
Total Overall Score 100%

4. Suggested Document Structure

  • Title Page & Student Information.
  • Background, Problem Statement & Significance.
  • Research Aim, Objectives & Research Questions.
  • Theoretical / Conceptual Framework.
  • Qualitative Research Design & Approach.
  • Research Context, Sampling Strategy & Participants.
  • Data Collection Methods & Instruments.
  • Data Analysis Plan.
  • Trustworthiness & Ethical Considerations.
  • Timeline & Expected Outputs.
  • References.

5. Awards & Recognition (Student Category 2)

A. Certificates

All student participants will receive a QRDC 2025 Digital Certificate of Participation (Student Category 2).

B. Medal Tiers (Based on Final Score)

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

C. Best Full Qualitative Design – Student Category 2

Awarded to the highest-scoring Student Category 2 entry with 90% and above, based on panel evaluation.

D. Publication & Showcasing

  • Top Gold entries may be highlighted on the official QRDC website.
  • 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 2).