100983: Research Methods - Qualitative Research - Management Assignment Help

Assignment Task:

Qualitative Research Assignment (alternative):  

Thematic Analysis  
For this assignment, you are required to use Thematic Analysis to analyse a dataset yielded from a  series of semi-structured individual interviews. The extracts included for analysis are based on the  interviewee accounts of five Australian men, who are fathers, and who work in the Finance Sector.  The original focus of this research was to explore fathers’ awareness of, and access to, flexible  
working arrangements, as well as if and how flexible working arrangements are adopted by the  fathers to care for their children. The research is part of a Doctoral Candidate’s thesis – “Fathers’ Constructions, Experiences, and Negotiations of Workplace Flexibility”, with the interviews all  carried out by the candidate.  
The research questions you should aim to answer are: 
1) What are the subjective experiences of flexible workplace policies and practices for men  who are fathers working in the finance sector? 
2) How do men who are fathers working in the finance sector adopt flexible working  practices to negotiate the work/care balance?
The following steps are required in order for you to complete the assignment:  1. Read the transcripts attached to this document; 
2. Conduct an analysis on the interview data using Thematic Analysis (TA). TA is a flexible  method of analysis, and there are slight variations of this method. You may use these  variations, but make sure you: a) reference the author of this variation; b) follow exactly  the steps they recommend; and c) justify why you are using that particular method. You  are advised to read additional specialised sources that elaborate on how to conduct  and/or report a thematic analysis; 
3. Conduct a PsycInfo search on the issue of fathering and flexible work arrangements. It  might also be useful to search the databases: Proquest; Google Scholar; and Sociological  Abstracts for papers written on this topic. 
You are required to submit a report of the assignment in the form of a partial journal article that contains the following sections: 

Introduction 
• Although the purpose of the exercise is to assess your capacity to analyse and  interpret a qualitative transcript, a brief introduction is advisable. In particular, it is  advised that you refer to literature to assist with your argument and interpretations.  For example, you could make a brief argument about why it is important to examine  the issue of fathering and flexible work, how it relates to father’s and children’s  emotional health and wellbeing, and cite any relevant Australian statistics. Any  sources drawn upon need to be correctly referenced.  
Research question/purpose
• Identify the research questions and briefly outline the purpose of conducting  qualitative research in the area of fathering and flexible work. That is, why might  qualitative research be needed to examine this topic? 

Method and Analysis 
• Report the names of the participants and all other relevant details (e.g., their  occupation, relationship status etc). Participant demographics are attached to this  document. Report on the demographics you have been given, do not make  inferences. 
• Discuss how you performed the Thematic Analysis. Provide a detailed description of  the process of coding and analysis, including examples of codes used across the  stages of analysis, and be sure to identify your primary themes.  

Results 
• Report on the main findings/themes of your analysis. Draw upon relevant transcript extracts to support your findings. You can embed brief quotes in paragraphs, as well  as indent longer quotes to highlight your theme/point. 

Discussion 
• Interpret and contextualise your findings. You are strongly advised to draw upon  existing literature and theory to assist in your interpretation. 
References 
• A professional standard of reporting is required, in general accordance with APA  Manual guidelines, and the report (excluding references) should not exceed 2000  words.
*You are welcome to work with your peers on your initial rounds of coding, but the higher  levels of abstraction (theming) should be your own, independent intellectual contribution.