Qualitative Research Methods Overview

This assignment requires a deep understanding of qualitative research methodologies. It necessitates examining foundational texts on qualitative research from prominent authors like Flick and Creswell. Students must demonstrate comprehension of various qualitative approaches, connecting them to feminist theory as exemplified by works like Deepta & Müller's 'Connecting Perspectives on Women’s Empowerment'. The assignment emphasizes the application of these methods in diverse fields, drawing upon examples like Fullagar et al.'s work on emotion and affect in sport and Fox's study on legal discourse and classification systems. Finally, students should consider ethical implications in qualitative research as outlined by Miller et al.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
STUDY IN GENDER ISSUES IN A HEALTHCARE ORGANISATION; A CASE STUDY OF
CALVARY HOSPITAL, CANBERA
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Executive summary
The purpose of this research is to construct a research proposal for qualitative analysis of gender
issues in a health care unit in Australia. Further, the theoretical framework and research
methodology is outlined thoroughly. The foundation of the research is in the ontology methods
as well as the epistemology of the knowledge that have been gained while doing the research in
the following topic. The healthcare organisations are very important part of economy and thus
cover the employment part of the world. In some part of the world women faces difficulty in
being recruited because of gender inequality. Thus making that part of population laggards in job
market. In addition, the discrimination in the gender and inequality matters in wages in an
organisation has been also highlighted in the research

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Background......................................................................................................................................4
Rationale of the research.................................................................................................................5
Research questions...........................................................................................................................6
Primary questions........................................................................................................................6
Secondary questions....................................................................................................................6
Research aims and objectives..........................................................................................................6
Theoretical framework.....................................................................................................................8
Status of women and men............................................................................................................9
Feminist theory............................................................................................................................9
Epistemologies...........................................................................................................................10
Education...................................................................................................................................11
Employment...............................................................................................................................11
Decision making power.............................................................................................................11
Financial efficiency, constraints and empowerments................................................................12
Research Design and methodology...............................................................................................12
Introduction................................................................................................................................12
Method outline...............................................................................................................................13
Research Onion..........................................................................................................................13

3RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Research approach.....................................................................................................................14
Data collection process..............................................................................................................15
Sampling method...........................................................................................................................15
Sample size....................................................................................................................................16
Data analysis..................................................................................................................................16
Ethical issues.................................................................................................................................16
Timeline.........................................................................................................................................19
Limitations.....................................................................................................................................20
References......................................................................................................................................21

4RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Introduction
The following is the research proposal of the healthcare organisation situated at Canberra
Calvary organisation of Australia. The focus of the report is to a conduct a study if gender issues
in a workplace. The bases of the research are in the ontology methods as well as the
epistemology of the knowledge that have been accumulated while doing the research proposal.
The healthcare organisations are very important part of economy and thus cover the major of the
employment generation the world. In some part of the world women faces difficulty in being
recruited because of gender inequality issues. Thus making that part of population slow moving
in job market (Fullagar & Pavlidis, 2017). In addition, the research contains discrimination in the
gender and inequality matters in wages in an organisation have been highlighted in the research.
The places where the female population faces inequality is described in the theoretical
framework and based on that the research proposal has been developed.
Background
The gender dynamics in 21st century is a vast field of work that one cannot exemplify.
The patriarchy of the society norms and there dependency towards the rule of them has always
been highlighted through the century by many dominating nature of the company. However, the
norms are changing with development towards equality. More of this is seen in developed
country rather than undeveloped ones.
The research proposal contains the issues that have been identified by the author as major
issues that women faces in society as well as in the workplace is discrimination in gender. The
diversity issues have always corrupted the life of women. The gender preference and diversities

5RESEARCH PROPOSAL
have become a major topic of research for the company. Thus, it can be said that society is
totally free of its clutches. Gender equality is a fundamental human right. This essential part
comes second to poverty removal (Fullagar & Pavlidis, 2017). For stronger economic growth the
important part is remove the inequality from society and to achieve it by including this in growth
strategies. The key linkages of women in labour force participation, In addition enhanced
consumption and investments are very important component of developing strategies. Again,
women face challenges in establishing business and exploring market opportunities. Thus,
informal barrier becomes hardship for this part of population (Munson & Saulnier, 2014).
Therefore, being a responsible citizen and out of conducting a research in this particular field the
research foundation has been built by the author.
Rationale of the research
There is direct link between gender equality and pro-poor growth strategically objective.
But its not sufficient by itself and societies gives access to education, people poverty
improvements. The improved quality contributes to economic development (George & Ferraro,
2015). In most countries the key linkages between people’ gender equality in households and
market and society has developed. It has increased the important components of enriching the
labour quality (Weber 2017).
The main idea of this research is to generalise the outcome of the research in enriching
the genders prospect. If the half of the population is laggard from centuries then the development
strategies however fruitful will not be effective (Munson & Saulnier, 2014). Thus, the research
here analyses the culture, education, employment, decision-making power of women and how
they utilises that in the work place. The private sector has development addresses that gender

6RESEARCH PROPOSAL
reform inheritance laws. Women do not always reap the benefit of economic production though
they have done most of the work. The main criteria of the research have been developed to assess
to analyse if there is any wage discrimination among the gender (George & Ferraro, 2015).
Along with having any decision –making power in the work place, chance of negotiation as well
as the opportunities of being productive. Therefore, the research has been outlined as such that
author would be able to analyse current condition of the gender related and gender affected
issues that are taking place in the healthcare unit (Weber, 2015).
Research questions
Primary questions
 Is there any gender related issues in the health care hospital?
Secondary questions
 Is there wage discrimination related to gender inequality in the hospital?
 Is there any policy in the hospital that favours the male employees rather than the female
candidates?
 Is women has lesser decision making power than the males in higher position?
 What can be recommended to the company for eliminating the issues related to gender?
Research aims and objectives
The aim of this research is to analyse gender related issues of the organisation Calvary
Hospital.
The primary objective of the research is

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 To analyse the gender related issue in the organisation.
 To analyse if there any wage discrimination issues related to genders inequality.
 To analyse the decision making power of the female candidate over males in the
organisation.
 To recommend policy evaluation or incorporation of standard procedures in the health
care unit in Australia.

8RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Status of
women
Gender issues in
organisations
Status of
men
Education
Employment
Decision making power
WAGE DISCRIMINATION GENDER INEQUALITY
Theoretical framework
From a historical perspective, the women’s are relatively in lowers status today. The
economic development of Europe has been developed by gender inequality. Thus, the changes
were observed post 2000 years. The rise in patriarch and Protestantism has been a crucial
stimulation in gender inequality. The uniquely feminine ability is focus of the theory that is being
developed in the modern theories. In this level of theories of macroeconomics, it was a quite

9RESEARCH PROPOSAL
difficult process to verbalise effects of the status of women, education of women, motivating
power of women on showing the effect of aggregate growth for econometric reasons among
others (Weber 2017). On the other hand, there certainly more of microeconomics factors, that the
literature in the study might help in being considerate of how the economic growth and
development might be affected by direct or indirect restrictions or exclusion that women have
adjusted to (Deepta & Müller, 2016). There is relevancy question predominantly in developing
countries. It is argued that the continuous failures of the western organizations in different field
to help the developing countries in further development have been as a result of the failure to
account for the incentives people face (Connell, 2014). Those in the lower level of development
work generally acknowledge the importance of the status of women in development (Deepta &
Müller, 2016).
Status of women and men
The women’s are globally expected to be centred at home rather than the male. The
societal norms and rules are defined as such that exclude women’s from certain leadership
positions and particular paid employment opportunities. The resulting segregation is the focus of
the specialisation studies of Feminist theories (Benería et al., 2015).
Feminist theory
This theory focuses on gender inequality of society to women. History has been the
evidence of the discriminations done between the men and women. Thus, they are objectified
more than necessary in situations. This phase is called feminist critique phase in an organisation.
Thus, the distinct feminine discipline has argued the relativity of the theories. This theory of
feminist includes the discrimination, objectification, patriarchy, oppression, stereotyping and
aesthetics of the gender inequality (Stanley, 2013).

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The sex and gender model consists of the different sex identified by society and model
chain of sex that serves as a norm in the societal life of individual. The ideology defines that the
sex of a person is the genitals and physical body that a person is born into in this world. The
dichotomy of the study is included in the standard rules of the people (Connell, 2014).
Epistemologies
This area of study is given more emphasis on the doubt in existence of if there is another
way of knowing or understanding. More accurately it can be said that if there is another way that
can be known as of women’s way of knowledge (Fox, 2016). The philosophical analysis and
idea of research is given more emphasis in the building the research’s philosophical framework.
As feminist materialism, studies of the female population’s objectification, simultaneously
feminist epistemologists study that the new view of women exists or not. It also argues that if the
views exist then, are they influenced by the patriarchy of the society. Alternatively, if that does
not exist then are the views different at all. This also attempts to risk the argument as “view from
nowhere” (Gherardi & Perrotta, 2014). As this report is a part research, the knowledge centre’s
itself in feminist theory and different branch of philosophical knowledge in the area. The main
idea of epistemology comes from Ontology of being, becoming and existence. The basic
categories are in relational among them. The Ontology of this part is to conduct a better research
in the field. The gender research equals the reality of feminist research. The methodical
discipline is known as the feminist theory application (Stanley, 2013).

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Education
Educati0on is very essential for a society to put forth the development of the economy as
well as a whole. The investment in the education sector, moreover in the primary education has
achieved more clarity over the past decades. The girl child is getting more education in the
system as well being aware of the opportunities that comes with it (Mertens, 2014). The
countries that are identified as the low human development countries have less female literacy
and the rate ranges from 10 % to 85% with a typical gender gap being around 20 %. The gap of
literacy has been reduced y more than 5% from 1970 (Mertens, 2014). Thus, the average GDP
and income of the countries has also increased with the education level (Connell, 2014).
Employment
Over the last 30 years, women have conjured large part of the employment populartion.
Thus it has also been seen that women’s labour force participation as a ratio to men’s has
increased from about 0.5 to 0.8, in terms of high income (Benería et al., 2015). In addition, the
temporary employment has also been seen to be more effective in women than that of men. The
lower economic power shows lesser segregation of jobs. For developing the countries, it is
difficult to compare the numbers in person, than giving a result after extrapolation (Stromquist &
Monkman, 2014).
Decision making power
The process to restrict women from making choices for them was the main hindrance.
The powers were laid with men of the society. The lesser purchasing power of women has also
restricted them in making decision. Generally, ownership disfavoured women from gaining any
heredity monetary favour. The more the usage of the financial crisis the more it was given
emphasis. It was gained from the data that in most developed countries the women holds at most

12RESEARCH PROPOSAL
5-15% of the higher positions where as with the same aged men holds most of the higher
position with a whooping percentage of 68% (Mertens, 2014). The society at large the have
distributed the positions as such that decisions are made by those men in highest position. The
discrepancy in the three factor identified are given as the factors like education, employment and
decision making powers.
Financial efficiency, constraints and empowerments
The evidence in the developing country has been seen as their power in being more
productive in monetary values. In addition, the productivity must be efficient in nature. The
agricultural and technological production of countries is given to be the foundation of an
economy. Thus it can be said that the only thing that matters in the economy is to drive it to its
Excellency. The plots controlled by women are more intensive than the plots controlled by men.
Family decisions are suspected to be taken more by men rather than women, shifting the
expenditure of the family associated with culturally joint company. The loosening of financial
controls is correlated with women empowerment. The empowerment is goal specific. The
families with two of the male’s and female’s income describe a different social situation. The
microfinance process of income is also cited to be very effective and thus the labour supply is
both important to the society be t women or men (Stromquist & Monkman, 2014).
Research Design and methodology
Introduction
The following is the part of the report that outlines the research methodology of the case.
The problem statement and research objectives are outlined in the beginning of the research. The
appropriate methods are selected in the basis of the objectives (Marshall & Rossman, 2014). The

13RESEARCH PROPOSAL
components of research methodology can be addressed efficiently to develop the case of gender
issues. The qualitative research includes the all the techniques of field research. The surveys are
done for identifying the problem (Reynolds et al. 2014). The qualitative research also aims to
understand from the survey done on experience or attitudes of respondents.
The qualitative method includes all the in depth-interviews, focus groups, observation, content
analysis and other, systematic ways of research but it ends with measuring the response of the
survey done after building the hypothesis (Flick 2015). This research will aim to uncover the
main factor related to gender issues and wage discrimination in Calvary hospital (Corbin, Strauss
& Strauss, 2014).
Method outline
The frameworks of the theoretical concepts that are used have been developed from the
previous studies done in the field. The different concepts of the social studies are given more
emphasis in terms of building the research outline. The hospital that has been chosen for
identifying the gender issues is Calvary Hospital of Australia. Qualitative analytical method of
research is chosen for non-probability sampling of the staff of the organisation (Marshall &
Rossman, 2014).
Research Onion
The research onion is a systematic way of conducting a qualitative research. The different
component of research onion are building research philosophies, approaches, strategies, choices
and time horizon as well as the techniques and procedures. These are the factors, which consist
of the outer layer of the research. The next step is to divide it into Inductive and deductive way
(Corbin, Strauss & Strauss, 2014).

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This research topic is qualitative in manners and inductive in approach.
Research approach
The research approach comes at the second layers of this research onion tree. The
qualitative research approaches includes the ethnographic research, focus group interview,
content analysis and field research (Smith, 2015).
Ethnography is process, which will include the study of culture as a whole, and the
emphasis is given originally to some notion of ethnicity of any culture (Smith, 2015). The virtual
and physical group or organisational study has enhanced this approach. The main criteria of this
field research that includes participant observation. Phenomenology is a kind of observation
(Lewis, 2015).
The inductive way of research is based on observation of data, collection of data and
analysis of the effective way is process of the research. The theory selection and building the
theoretical framework is given in the above chapters. Deductive way of research includes
hypothesis testing, data analysis and implementation of theories. The philosophical perspective
of research is included in the research, including psychology, sociology and social work. It
analyses the subjective experience and interpretation of data that is given in the collection. This
does analyse how the world stands. This research is a combination of both ethnographic and
phenomenology to identify if there is any gender inequality and a matter of wage discrimination,
empowerment and decision making power in an organisation (Flick 2015).
The author of this research has described the theories of social sciences and issues related
to gender inequality in employers of the hospital. The education, empowerment, decision-making
power and gender discrimination in the work culture is identified as the factors for possible

15RESEARCH PROPOSAL
issues in the organisation. The theories are selected for having built the background of the
research (Lewis, 2015).
Data collection process
The data collection process can be both primary and secondary. The primary data
collection process is more emphasised in the process.
The research topic is to check and draw conclusion if there is any gender related issues in
the organisation (Lewis, 2015). The factors that are going to be identified at the end of the
solution are if there is any relation between the gender issues and wage discrimination,
empowerment, education level and decision making power of the company that lies with women
in positions too. The primary data will be collected from the respondents of Calvary hospital of
Canberra.
The data will also be collected through one of four different approaches. The main
approach in observation for data collection. The other important approach is in-depth interviews
and content analysis as well as qualitative research (Mackey and Gass, 2015). The approach that
will be taken here for further in-depth analysis of data collection approach. The data collection
from the chosen sample of managers is given more emphasis. The data will be taken by survey of
employers of the healthcare unit of the hospital (Smith, 2015).
Sampling method
The sampling method can be probability sampling or non-probability sampling. For the
research purpose, the main sampling method that is useful is probability sampling. According to
non-probability, in this research sampling the quota sampling method will be used (Miller et al.,
2012). The sampling method also includes the quota sampling as the research requires to identify

16RESEARCH PROPOSAL
the different sexes of the people are included in the sample and their age and marital status
(Mackeyand Gass, 2015).
Sample size
The sample size chosen for this research are 20-30 people in managing position or with
some authority in the decision making power. Thus, the sample will be divided in male and
female category. Then the company’s employers are to be survey by observation and the chosen
number is 30 personnel. The sample of the employers is to be interviewed by the company and
thus the structured questionnaires will be given to the respondents. The answers will be recorded
and after gathering all the response as per requirements, the content of the research will be
analysed (Miller et al., 2012).
Data analysis
The data analysis that can be done for the data that will be collected form Calvary
Hospital staff must be done with content analysis part. The transcripts and visual or audio
records of the response will be listened through and analysed by the author. The transcribing of
the research will be given too. The narrative analysis will be needed to translate and objectify the
data (Miller et al., 2012).
Ethical issues
Many ethical issues need to be considered while doing a research. The responsibilities lie
with the researchers and with the people who will be presented with the findings of the research.
The viable ethical issues are listed below.

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 Autonomy of the research must be maintained. The individual rights of the different
personnel related to the research their input must be acknowledged. Proper rights of the
research must be given more emphasis in order to maintain the reliability of the research.
According to the objective of this research, the autonomy of the research and idea
generation references are given and further will be maintain the individuality of the
research (Mackeyand Gass, 2015).
 Beneficence of the research must be of highest priority. The main idea and outcome of
the research must be given more emphasis in order to enhance value of the research. The
beneficiary factor and contribution of the research must be highlighted. For this
individual purpose, the most important part of the research that has been focused to
develop is to determine the benefit of the study (Miller et al. 2012).
 Non- maleficience of the study must be given focus. The sensitive issue that have scarred
the society all over the ages have been chosen carefully for this qualitative study. It must
be of highest priority to eradicate the harmful influence of the factor. The study of sexes
and genders issues eradication must be given highest priority while investigating the
answer to the primary questions of the research.
 Justice and particular equity must be considered while conducting the research. It must be
made sure that the people are willing to answers the interview questions and not pushed
to do the uncomfortable.
 Consent is the main matter to consider in a qualitative research interviews. Thus, it is also
a key ethical issue to ask relevant and important questions with the consent from the
higher authority of Calvary Hospital.

18RESEARCH PROPOSAL
 Confidentiality of the organisational data and the private and personal data should be
maintained. Confidentiality should also be maintained in order to eliminate the dangers of
the revelation. To protect the identity of the personnel and participant’s information the
protection measures must be ensured against the lying around notes and unprotected
computer files.
 Data manipulation should be ignored in order to reveal the reliable and viable research
outcome. Therefore, the research can be used further for future studies.
 The reliability and validity of the research must be of highest priority. The main criteria
to maintain the value of the research outcomes. The value will increase with the ethical
issues considered. The Reliability includes the testing and validation of data. To maintain
the factors are well-induced one must consider credibility, neutrality, conformity,
consistency, applicability and transferability of the research. The essential part of the
research is to ensure the factors of the research are trustworthy.
 To ensure the validity of the research is the construct validity and concept validity must
be maintained. This includes imperceptivity of the concept that is used in the research. As
this research is more contexts specific, the approach of reliability and validity must be
kept checked.

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Timeline
week
1
week
2
week
3
week
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week
5
week
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7
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Milestones
Introduction
Designing research aims
objectives
Designing the structure
Designing the research
questions
Theoritical framwork
Researching the journals
constructing the framework
Methodology
Designing qualitative
research approach
outlining and selecting the
sample
Identifying sample tools
and techniques
Conducting primary surveys
and interviews
Aligning with the primary
collected data
Findings and analysis
Using different tools to
analyse the transcripts
Ananlysing the data
Conclusion
Summary of research
Build recommendataion of
the data interpreted

20RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Limitations
There are many limitations in the study. As the nature of this research is to analyse the
attitudinal problem in the respondents. The limitations are outlined in the study
 As the outcome of this research is highly dependent upon the quality of the research
author, it is highly vulnerable.
 The rigor is more dependent in the research quality. Thus, it will be difficult to assess,
demonstrate and maintain while doing the research.
 Though the number of participants is lesser than that compared to quantitative research
study the volume of data collected in the research are very essential to go through
thoroughly. Thus, it becomes cumbersome for the author to rely on only one person.
 It is sometimes not fully understood by whole community of quantitative people. The
perspectives have deep influence in the outcome.
 The purpose of the research is presented during data collection and gathering which is
unavoidable and subjected to responses.
 The issues of confidentiality and animosity are presented in findings and thus it cannot be
avoided.
 Findings are sometimes more time consuming and characterized by visual way and thus it
cannot be set aside.

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References
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