IMRAD Format & Qualitative Research Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, sections, and methodological concepts from the IMRAD guidelines and qualitative research procedures.

IMRAD

A standard research paper structure consisting of Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.

Introduction (IMRAD)

Section that gives an overview of the topic, presents global-to-local facts, cites literature gaps, and justifies the study.

Literature Gap

An area where limited or no prior research exists, providing rationale for a new study.

Personal Observation

Researcher’s first-hand account of a problem in their environment, presented without citations.

Literature Review

Compilation of theories, related literature, and studies clustered by theme with transitional phrases.

Objectives of the Study

Paragraph that states the overall aim and specific questions the research seeks to answer.

Phenomenological Research

Qualitative design focusing on participants’ lived experiences of a phenomenon.

Narrative Study

Qualitative design that explores and interprets individuals’ life stories or personal accounts.

Descriptive Qualitative Study

Research design that captures perceptions or descriptions of a situation without manipulating variables.

Research Environment

Physical or social setting where data collection occurs.

Research Participants/Informants

Individuals who provide data through interviews or other qualitative methods.

Research Instrument

Tool used to collect data, such as an interview guide in qualitative studies.

Data Gathering Procedure

Step-by-step explanation of how information will be collected from participants.

Data Analysis Procedure

Detailed plan for interpreting collected data, e.g., content or thematic analysis.

Content Analysis

Method that quantifies frequency and patterns of predefined codes in textual data.

Thematic Analysis

Qualitative approach that identifies, analyzes, and reports patterns (themes) within data.

Coding Frame

Systematic list of codes used to tag units of meaning during analysis.

Braun & Clarke Six Steps

Familiarization, Coding, Generating Themes, Reviewing Themes, Defining & Naming Themes, Producing the Report.

Surface-level Patterns

Observable ‘what is said’ elements analyzed in content analysis.

Deeper Interpretation

Exploration of ‘how and why it is said’ typical of thematic analysis.

Results and Discussion

Section presenting findings for each question and linking them to literature and theory.

Conclusion

Final portion summarizing key findings, implications, limitations, and future research directions.

Times New Roman 12

Prescribed font and size for formatting the paper.

Double Spacing (2.0)

Required line spacing throughout the manuscript.

1.5-inch Left Margin

Formatting rule for document layout, with 1-inch on other sides.

Written Work (20%)

Grade component weight for TVL / Arts & Design research subject.

Performance Tasks (60%)

Largest grade component assessing practical outputs in the course.

Quarterly Assessment (20%)

Exam or major output contributing one-fifth of the term grade.