UNIVERSIDAD DE ORIENTE

UNIVO

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

THESIS:

“A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH APPROACH AS A PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCHING

PROJECTS DEVELOPED BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS MAJORING IN

LICENCIATURA EN IDIOMA INGLES AT UNIVERSIDAD DE ORIENTE “

ADVISOR:

MAURICIO CHINCHILLA, BA

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS:

WILFREDO AMAYA MALDONADO

MARITZA EVELYN HESKE DE ESCOBAR

RINA DEL CARMEN CHAVEZ

MARCH 2006

SAN MIGUEL, EL SALVADOR, CENTROAMERICA

UNIVERSIDAD DE ORIENTE

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY AUTHORITIES

RECTOR:

Dr. JOAQUIN APARICIO ZELAYA.

VICE-PRESIDENT:

Dr. JOSE LUIS CASTRO CISNEROS

GENERAL SECRETARY:

Ing. ROGELIO CISNEROS LAZO

ATTORNEY AT LAW:

Dr. RAMON MAURICIO SUAREZ.

DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES:

Lic. MARIA LUISA SEVILLANO

MARCH 2006

SAN MIGUEL, El SALVADOR, CENTROAMERICA

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter I

I. Problematic Situation

II. Justification

III. Objectives

Chapter II

IV. Theoretical Framework.

1.1 Development of Qualitative Research

1.2. Research Methods.

1.3. Characteristics of Qualitative Research.

1.4 Assessment of Validity

1.5. Ethical Principles & Guidelines for Researchers involving Human Subjects

1.5.1. Basic Ethical Principles

1.5.2. Applications

1.6. Relationship between the qualitative research and other subjects

1.7 Techniques applied in the Qualitative research

Chapter III

V. Methodological Strategies

1. Methods, Techniques and Instruments

2. Population and Sample

Chapter IV

3. Analysis and Interpretation of Data

Chapter V

4. Conclusions and Recommendations

5. References

6. Annexes

INTRODUCTION

This thesis entitled: “A qualitative research approach as a proposal for researching

projects developed by undergraduate students majoring in Licenciatura en Idioma

Ingles de la Universidad de Oriente”.

The thesis is dividing into the following parts:

- Problematic situation

- Justification

- General and Specific objectives

- Theoretical framework

- Methodological strategies

- Analysis and Interpretation of data

- Conclusion

- Recommendations

- References

- Annexes

These parts are defining as follow:

Problematic situation: In this part the phenomenon is explained. It consists on

the lack of application of Qualitative Research in thesis.

Justification: This part explains, why it is considered to use the Qualitative

research and what areas are related with it.

General and specific objectives: This phase settles the goals with clarity and

simplicity.

Theoretical framework: This part contains the analysis of antecedents found in

books, essays, thesis, scientific magazines, web sites, interviews to experts in the

field and all the sources that are related to the topic.

Methodological strategies: This part refers to the form how data, techniques,

instruments and units of analysis are collected. This part includes also how validity

and reliability of data are controlled.

Analysis and interpretation of data: In this part is discussed and exposed the

data obtained in the investigation according to the researcher perspectives.

Conclusion: This part contains the final results or the last knowledge about the

investigation project.

Recommendations: This part contains suggestions to correct existing conditions

and improve them.