Qualitative Research Manuscript Checklist

Manuscript  Checklist
Title	Does the title use concise wording to summarize the main idea of the research study?
Abstract	Does the abstract accurately reflect the content and purpose of the study? Does the abstract define all abbreviations, unique terms, and avoid quotations? Does the abstract contain brief information regarding the findings of the study? Is the abstract 120 words or less?
Introduction (1 paragraph)
Organization	Is the introduction one paragraph that begins broadly (i.e., establishing the national importance of your topic), narrowing slowly until the last sentence which is the purpose statement? Does the introduction include national figures to establish the national importance of your topic?
Purpose Statement	Does the purpose statement follow one of the Creswell scripts, including the following: (1) the study's qualitative approach, (2) strong, descriptive verbs, (3) study's population, and (4) the study's phenomenon? Does the purpose statement end with a sentence explaining the methods used in this study?
Review of the Related Research (2-3 pages)
Heading &Subheadings	Does the literature review use a heading OTHER THAN "Literature Review" or "Review of the Literature," instead using a heading that more accurately describes the topic of the literature review? Does the literature review use subheadings that accurately reflect the various subtopics within the literature?
Synthesis	Does the literature review move beyond merely summarizing the literature to synthesizing it, pointing out gaps in the empirical research that your study will fill?
Organization	Is the literature review organized into logical sections, around major ideas or themes, including an introduction, the critical examination of the literature, and a conclusion that serves as a transtion to the research questions?
Comprehensiveness	Is the literature review clearly related to the purpose statement? Does the literature review contain a literature-based description of the potential themes or perceptions to be explored? Is the content is drawn from acceptable peer-reviewed journals or sound academic journals? Does the literature review use citations as necessary? Is the entire review an integrated, critical essay on the most relevant and current published knowledge on the topic? Is any literature included that does not fit the topic?
Research Questions (1/2 page)
General	Are the research questions introduced by a statement?
Comprehensiveness	Do the research questions flow logically from the review of the literature preceding them? Do the research questions spring from the purpose statement?
Method (2 pages)
Organization	Is the Methods section organized into logical sections?
Completeness	Does the first paragraph describe your qualitative approach (i.e., case study, phenomenology, grounded theory...) and provide the rationale for its appropriateness for your topic, using citations?
Data Collection	Does this section have a separate subheading? with additional subheadings for each data collection method? Are the data collection methods presented in the order in which the data were collected? Does the interview subheading contain the following items: (1) rationale behind interviews being appropriate for your study (citation needed), (2) sampling procedure (using the correct research terminology), (3) description of your interview questions and a rationale (citations) for the topics included, and (4) your interview procedures? Does the observation subheading contain the following items: rationale behind observation being appropriate for your study (citation needed), (2) sampling procedure - if needed (using the correct research terminology), (3) description of your observation checklists or forms and a rationale (citations) for the topics included, and (4) your observation procedures? Does the focus group subheading contain the following items: (1) rationale behind focus groups being appropriate for your study (citation needed), (2) sampling procedure (using the correct research terminology), (3) description of your focus group questions and a rationale (citations) for the topics included, and (4) your focus group procedures? Does the documents review subheading contain the following items: (1) rationale for reviewing documents (citation), (2) description of each document you plan to review, and 3) procedures taken to obtain the documents?
Data Analysis	Does this section explain how you analyzed all groups of data, your coding system, and the themes?
Findings (4-5 pages)
Organization	Are the findings reported by theme, in some sort of organized, logical manner? Did you provide a rationale for the way you are presenting the data? Do the findings build logically from the research purpose and research design?
Completeness	Did you include data (i.e., direct quotations) to support the patterns, relationships, and themes you have noted? Did you include a discussion of Evidence of Quality that shows how the study followed proceduresto assure the accuracy of data (i.e., trustworthiness, member checks, triangulation)?
Discussion (1-2 pages)
Organization	Is the Discussion organized into sections that discuss the findings and highlights the major themes of the data?
Completeness	Does the Discussion begin with an overview of the study and highlight the major themes of the study's findings? Does the Discussion relate the themes to the research questions and/or the study's purpose?
Conclusion
Organization	Is the Conclusion organized in sections that briefly summarize the argument of the paper and the major themes, including the contribution/implications of this study and recommendations for future research and for practice?
Completeness	Does the Conclusion begin with a brief summary of the study's argument? Does the Conclusion explore the major themes and relate them to the literature? i.e., Do your findings support those of other researchers? If so, note this and cite those researchers. If your study refutes the research - that's fine - note this, use citations, and provide a rationale as to why that might be so. Does the Conclusion address the significance of the study for practice and research? Does the Conclusion provide recommendations for future research or for practice?
References
General	Are all references are organized according to APA, are they appropriate to the topic, do they focus on primary resources, and do they contain at least 90% references written within the last 5 years? Do all citations in the text appear in the references section, and all references appear in the text?
Appendices
General	Are the appendices organized and presented in accordance with APA? Do they contain the consent form and copies of all other necessary items (i.e., interview protocol/questions, focus group questions/protocol)? Does the text contains references to items in Appendix?.
Overall Manuscript
Neatness	Is the manuscript is formatted so that information is easily found? Do all sections have clearly labeled headings?
Writing	Does the manuscript flow well and contain subsections and well-developed paragraphs that use topic sentences and transitions? Is the sentence structure and word choice clear and concise, with appropriate language?
Written & Verbal Expression	Is the Manuscript is free of spelling, grammatical, and APA errors?