QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL OUTLINE
You will be conducting your own original qualitative research project. You will also reflect upon what you’ve read in the literature, in the texts, what your participants have said about your topic and what your own personal experiences and thoughts are related to your topic.
*Your IDEA– I would Like to research the areas of the world known as “Blue Zones”. I want to learn what nutritional lifestyles allow people to live the longest.
Literature Review–
Rege, L. (2020). EAT YOUR WAY TO A LONGER LIFE. (cover story). Shape, 39(7), 80–81.
Case, P. (2020). P109 The Blue Zone Project: A Multi-sector Community Well-Being Initiative. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior, 52(7), S67–S68. https://doi-org.libweb.lib.utsa.edu/10.1016/j.jneb.2020.04.156
Pes, G. M., Tolu, F., Dore, M. P., Sechi, G. P., Errigo, A., Canelada, A., & Poulain, M. (2015). Male longevity in Sardinia, a review of historical sources supporting a causal link with dietary factors. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 69(4), 411–418. https://doi-org.libweb.lib.utsa.edu/10.1038/ejcn.2014.230
These articles are about the phenomenon known as the “Blue Zones.” These are places around the world where people live to be well over 100. Scientists and Anthropologists have studied these areas very closely because there are many correlations between diet and longevity. I will aim at highlighting some of the dietary practices of some of these people. I will talk about the mind and body connection and how we all have the potential to have amazing vitality through diet and mindfulness practices. I will also talk about some of the current worldwide trends that lead to a decline in health and wellness.
Potential Inteveriew Questions?
Demographic Questions….
What does mindful eating mean to you?
What motivates you to be healthy?
Would you ever seek medical advice from a Naturopathic Doctor or Dietitian?
Have you had any aha moments in your life about health and wellness?
Do you have any health mentors or people who have inspired your health?
Do you have any food allergies that limit your diet?
Do you have the desire to prolong your life through diet?
Have you ever heard of the Blue Zones or the Mediterranean Diet?
Have you ever considered having a plant-based diet?
Do you have any particular resources that you have found helpful in managing your health and wellness?
A scholarly Literature Review of your topic, including texts using peer reviewed scholarly journal articles. Can you find scholarly literature related to your topic? Do you need to refine your idea/topic? Please provide a brief summary and formal citations of the articles.
Theoretical Perspective– What ‘lens’ will you use to frame your project and look at your data?
In my paper I will mainly focus on a Symbolic Interactionism Perspective
Research Methods– What research method(s) will you use to collect your qualitative data?
I will conduct interviews for my research paper
Research Design– I will interview three different participants.
Using your chosen research method, what questions will you ask participants to get the information you are looking for (Write up your interview guide based on the information you gathered from your scholarly articles)?
Collect Data/Conduct Research– Get informed consent from participants. Interview your participants. Conduct a focus group with your participants. Observe your participants and write field notes. Collect Visuals that are applicable to your topic. Use autoethnography to reflect.
Data/Content Analysis– Organize and analyze the data you have collected through your literature reviews, interviews, focus groups, observations etc. What are the themes or patterns emerging from your data. Organize your data by theme.
Findings– What did you learn? Was it what you expected or was it different? Write up your findings for your research/reflection paper citing the texts, scholarly literature, data gathered from your research participants and your personal reflection on the topic. What are your thoughts on the qualitative research processes?
Dissemination– Final paper uploaded to Blackboard.
Sun Hugs 