Practical Guide to Qualitative Research Paper Formats

 
 

Formatting a qualitative research paper can be intimidating, especially if you're just encountering concepts like APA, MLA, IMRAD, or specific dissertation chapters for the first time. 

Whether you’re a first-time researcher or seeking to refine your skills, this guide helps you navigate the many decisions of structuring and formatting your qualitative paper. 

We’ll dive into citation styles, structural formats, and other formatting details, providing an overview and tips for creating effective and efficient qualitative research papers.

What is a Style Guide for Qualitative Research?

You’re here because you know it is important to style your research paper correctly. Style guides like APA, MLA, and Chicago have their own rules for citations, reference lists, page layout, margins, capitalization, numbers, and dates. These rules help keep your paper consistent and clear.

Key Differences of Style Guides:

  • In-text citations: How you reference sources within the text.

  • Reference lists: The format for listing your sources at the end of your paper.

  • Formatting: Page layout, margins, font, spacing, and headings.

  • Capitalization: Rules for capitalizing titles, headings, and names.

  • Numbers: When to use numerals or spell out numbers.

  • Dates: How to format dates.

Table: Differences in Style Guides

Aspect APA (American Psychological Association) MLA (Modern Language Association) Chicago Manual of Style
Primary Use Social Sciences (e.g., Psychology, Sociology, Education) Humanities (e.g., Literature, Arts, Cultural Studies) History and some Social Sciences
In-text Citations (Author, Year) (Author Page) Footnotes/Endnotes: (First citation: Full details, Subsequent: Shortened)
Reference List Author: Last name, First initial(s). Year of publication: In parentheses. Title: Italicized. Institution: Publisher or University. Author: Last name, First name. Title: Italicized. Institution: Publisher or University. Year of publication: At the end. Author: Last name, First name. Title: Italicized. Institution: Publisher or University. Year of publication: At the end.
Formatting Title page, Abstract, Headings, Reference list No title page, Works Cited page Title page, Bibliography, Footnotes/Endnotes
Capitalization Sentence case for titles (capitalize only the first word and proper nouns) Title case for titles (capitalize principal words) Sentence case or Title case depending on the context
Numbers Spell out numbers less than 10 Spell out numbers that can be written in one or two words Spell out numbers under 100
Dates Month day, year (e.g., April 7, 2023) Day month year (e.g., 7 April 2023) Month day, year (e.g., April 7, 2023)

Overview of Style Guides for Formatting

Let's see how these three style guides work using a real dissertation as an example. We'll look at Steven A. Baker's paper, A Grounded Theory Study on E-Leadership in the U.S. Army, which was done using Delve qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS).

APA (American Psychological Association)

The APA style, established by the American Psychological Association, is widely used in the social sciences. It focuses on clarity, precision, and uniformity. APA includes specific guidelines for formatting your paper, including the title page, abstract, headings, and reference list. 

HOW TO USE APA

  • In-text citations: (Author, Year)

    • Example: (Baker, 2023)

  • Reference list: A comprehensive list of all sources cited, formatted with hanging indents.

    • Author: Last name, First initial(s).

    • Year of publication: In parentheses.

    • Title: Italicized.

    • Institution: Publisher or University

    • Example:

      • Baker, S. A. (2023). A Grounded Theory Study on E-Leadership in the U.S. Army. Colorado Technical University.

      • Last Name, First Initial (Year Published). Title of the Book. Publisher.

      • Last Name, First Initial (Year Published). Title of the Article. Journal Name, Journal Volume, pp.#-pp.#. https://doi.org/10.1234/abc123

ADDITIONAL APA STYLING SUGGESTIONS

Aspect Details
Page Layout, Margins, Font, Spacing, and Headings Use Times New Roman, 12-point font. Double-space throughout the paper. Set margins to one inch on all sides. Include a running head on every page with the page number in the upper right corner.
Capitalization Use title case for major words in titles (e.g., The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health). Use lowercase for articles (a, an, the) unless they are the first word of the title.
Numbers Generally, spell out numbers one through nine and use numerals for 10 and above. Exceptions for statistical data, measurements, and other specific contexts.
Dates Use the month-day-year format (e.g., January 1, 2024).

WHY WE USE APA STYLE

APA's structured approach helps keep your paper organized and easy to read. By highlighting the date of publication, it shows how current your sources are, which is useful in fields relying on up-to-date research. This style also offers clear guidelines for formatting and citations, making it easier to maintain consistency throughout your work.

COMMON DISCIPLINES FOR APA

  • Psychology

  • Sociology

  • Education

  • Business

  • Nursing

  • Social Sciences

MLA (Modern Language Association)

The MLA style, created by the Modern Language Association, is commonly used in the humanities, especially in literature, arts, and cultural studies. It emphasizes the author’s name and page number for in-text citations.

HOW TO USE MLA

  • In-text citations: (Author Page)

    • Example: "I chose Delve because this CAQDAS tool allowed me to significantly truncate the period it would typically take to transcribe and manually code each participant’s interview data. (Baker 71-72)."

  • Works Cited: A detailed list of all sources cited, formatted with a focus on authorship and publication details.

    • Author: Last name, First name.

    • Title: Italicized.

    • Institution: Publisher or University.

    • Year of publication: At the end.

    • Example:

      • Baker, Steven A. A Grounded Theory Study on E-Leadership in the U.S. Army. Colorado Technical University, 2023.

      • Last Name, First Name, and Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Article." Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year Published, pp. #-#.

      • Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year Published.

ADDITIONAL MLA STYLING SUGGESTIONS

Aspect Details
Page Layout, Margins, Font, Spacing, and Headings Use Times New Roman, 12-point font. Double-space throughout the paper. Set margins to one inch on all sides. Include a header with your last name and page number in the upper right corner.
Capitalization Use title case for major words in titles (e.g., The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health). Use lowercase for articles (a, an, the) unless they are the first word of the title.
Numbers Spell out numbers that can be written in one or two words (e.g., one, thirty-six). Use numerals for numbers that require more than two words (e.g., 247).
Dates Use the day-month-year format (e.g., 1 January 2024).

WHY WE USE MLA STYLE

Focusing on authorship, MLA is particularly useful for disciplines that prioritize interpreting texts and cultural artifacts. Humanities research, for instance, benefits from using MLA because it requires understanding the context and contributions of different authors. Its simple format makes it easy to track sources, which is important for qualitative analysis.

COMMON DISCIPLINES FOR MLA

  • Literature

  • Cultural Studies

  • Arts

  • Philosophy

  • Languages

  • Humanities

Chicago Style

The Chicago Manual of Style, published by the University of Chicago Press, offers two documentation systems: Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date. Due to its flexibility and thoroughness, this style is commonly used in history and some social sciences.

HOW TO USE CHICAGO STYLE

Footnotes/Endnotes:

  • Format: Full details at the first citation, shortened for subsequent ones.

  • Example (First citation): Steven A. Baker, A Grounded Theory Study on E-Leadership in the U.S. Army (Colorado Technical University, 2023), 45.

  • Example (Subsequent citation): Baker, E-Leadership, 45.

Bibliography:

  • Author: Last name, First name.

  • Title: Italicized.

  • Institution: Publisher or University.

  • Year of publication: At the end.

  • Example:

    • Baker, Steven A. A Grounded Theory Study on E-Leadership in the U.S. Army. Colorado Technical University, 2023.

    • Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year Published.

    • Last Name, First Name, and Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Article." Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year Published, pp. #-#.

ADDITIONAL CHICAGO STYLE SUGGESTIONS

Aspect Details
Page Layout, Margins, Font, Spacing, and Headings Use Times New Roman, 12-point font. Double-space throughout the paper. Set margins to one inch on all sides. Include a page number in the upper right corner or bottom center of each page.
Capitalization Use title case for major words in titles (e.g., The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health). Use lowercase for articles (a, an, the) unless they are the first word of the title.
Numbers Spell out numbers zero through one hundred. Use numerals for larger numbers and in specific contexts like statistical data.
Dates Use the month-day-year format (e.g., January 1, 2024).

WHY WE USE CHICAGO

Chicago style's flexibility and detailed citation approach make it ideal for deep historical research with complex source material. Using footnotes or endnotes offers a clean narrative flow, which is suited for lengthy historical papers. It allows a wide range of sources, including archival documents and unpublished materials, making it versatile for various types of research.

Table: The Three Common Bibliographic Styles

Comparison of Citation Styles
Element Chicago MLA APA
In-text citations (Author Last Name Year) Author Last Name (Year) Author Last Name (Year)
Reference Lists Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year Published. Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Article. Journal Name, Volume Number, Issue Number (Year), Page Numbers. Author Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Year). Title of Article. Journal Name, Volume Number, Issue Number, Page Numbers.

It is particularly important to remember that each style has different rules for formatting in-text citations and reference lists. When writing your dissertation, keeping a style guide handy helps ensure you're using the correct format. 

Structural Formats for Qualitative Research Papers

Just as there are different citation styles, there are also various structural formats for organizing your research paper. Different disciplines, types of research, and even professors may require specific ways of presenting your findings. Understanding these differences is important because different formatting techniques work better in certain situations.

For example, qualitative research often uses themes and patterns to structure results, while quantitative research typically follows a more rigid, statistical format. Knowing which structural format to use in either situation helps keep your research paper organized and easier to grasp.

Here are some common structures used in research papers, applicable to both qualitative and quantitative studies, and why you might be asked to use one over another:

IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion)

The IMRAD format is widely used in scientific and medical research papers. It provides a clear, logical structure that makes it easy for readers to follow your research process and findings.

  • Introduction: Presents the research question and context.

  • Methods: Describes the research design and methodology.

  • Results: Reports the findings of the study.

  • Discussion: Interprets the results and discusses their implications.

WHY WE USE IMRAD

This format's structured approach ensures that each aspect of your research is presented, making it easier for readers to understand and evaluate your work. It also facilitates systematically presenting your research, which is particularly valuable in scientific studies.

ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors)

The ICMJE format is specific to medical and health research, providing guidelines that ensure ethical reporting and clear research presentation.

  • Sections: Similar to IMRAD but with additional focus on ethical considerations and conflicts of interest.

WHY WE USE ICMJE

If you're conducting medical research, this format ensures your paper meets the rigorous standards for publication in medical journals. It also emphasizes transparency and ethical considerations, which are paramount in medical research.

PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link)

PEEL is a writing strategy often used in essays and reports to ensure well-structured paragraphs and clear arguments.

  • Point: The main idea of the paragraph.

  • Evidence: Supporting data or quotes.

  • Explanation: Analysis of the evidence.

  • Link: Connection to the thesis or next paragraph.

WHY WE USE PEEL

This strategy helps you develop coherent and persuasive arguments, making it easier for readers to follow your logic. It's particularly useful in structuring arguments and ensuring that each paragraph contributes to your thesis.

Narrative Formats

Narrative formats are used to tell a story or present case studies, often with rich, descriptive detail.

  • Structure: Flexible, focusing on storytelling and contextual analysis.

WHY WE USE NARRATIVE FORMATS

This format allows for a more fluid and engaging presentation of qualitative data, making it ideal for case studies and ethnographic research. It also enables a deeper exploration of the context and experiences related to your research topic.

Table: Structural Formats for Research Papers

Breakdown of Dissertation Chapters

A dissertation typically consists of five core chapters, each serving a distinct purpose. This structure helps organize your research and present your findings clearly and systematically. Let's break down these chapters using examples from real dissertations that used Delve qualitative data analysis software.

Chapter 1: Introduction

The introduction chapter sets the stage for the rest of your dissertation. It introduces your research topic, outlines the problem, and states the research objectives of the entire qualitative research paper. This chapter provides the background information needed to understand the context of your study and explains why your research matters.

Example Excerpts: In A Grounded Theory Study on E-Leadership in the U.S. Army by Steven A. Baker, the introduction outlines the problem of integrating e-leadership into traditional Army leadership frameworks. It sets the stage by explaining the significance of leadership development in the digital age: 

"Excellent communication skills are critical for influential leaders and successful organizations...the nascent leadership theory that is helping to explain how leaders must adapt their knowledge, skills, and abilities to motivate followers when mediated by technology effectively is termed electronic or 'e' leadership" (p. 1).

💡 CHAPTER 1 TIPS

  • Clearly state your research question, objectives, and why the study is important.

  • Ensure that the introduction is engaging and sets the context for your research.

  • Briefly touch on the structure of your dissertation to guide the reader.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

The literature review chapter reviews existing research related to your topic. It identifies gaps in the literature and establishes a theoretical framework for your study. This chapter demonstrates your understanding of the research area and how your work will contribute to the field.

Example Excerpt: In Exploring Physician Assistant Students' Perceptions of Stress and Help-Seeking Behavior by Kayla Cetrone, the literature review discusses existing studies on stress in medical education, highlighting gaps and establishing a framework for understanding PA students' experiences: 

"Few studies have explored student perceptions of stress in PA education (Hernandez et al., 2010; Johnson et al., 2020; O'Brien et al., 2012). Additionally, researchers have given little attention to the structure and culture of PA education as it relates to students' health. Limited existing research and the need for programs to develop strategies to support students to address their concerns provide the basis for this study” (p. 19-20).

💡 CHAPTER 2 TIPS

  • Use a systematic approach to search for literature.

  • Evaluate sources critically and synthesize information to highlight trends, gaps, and key theories.

  • Make sure to link your review to your research questions and objectives.

Chapter 3: Methodology

Chapter 3 is the methodology chapter. It describes your research design, methods, and procedures for collecting and analyzing data. Chapter 3 should be detailed and transparent, allowing others to replicate your study if needed.

Example Excerpt: In Perceived Problems and Advantages of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Among Adolescents by Joseph Charles Ianaconi III, he sets the stage for his decision to use a grounded theory approach to the study:

“This study followed a grounded theory approach. Grounded theory studies are appropriate when there are “no existing theories regarding the process that are of interest to the researchers; there is a theory that exists, but they have been created for a [different] group of people that the researchers are interested in … Chapter Three highlights the methodology and approach used in this grounded theory study. The research in Chapter Two supports the research and approach presented in Chapter Three” (p.  65).

💡 CHAPTER 3 TIPS

  • Clearly explain the rationale behind your chosen methods.

  • Detail your data collection process and analysis techniques, and justify why these methods are appropriate for your research questions.

  • Address any limitations and ethical considerations.

Chapter 4: Results (or Findings)

Chapter 4 is where you present your research findings without any analysis. You might be wondering how to organize and display these findings effectively. If you're struggling with this process, use themes and patterns to structure your data. Include direct quotes to provide evidence and compare findings across different disciplines. Clearly present your data to support your research question and objectives, but avoid any analysis or interpretation—save that for the "Discussion" chapter.

Example Excerpt: In Parent Perspectives for Elementary Instrumental Music Participation by Scott Wayne McGowan, he uses direct quotes from parents about their challenges and strategies to provide valuable insights (that require no analysis on his own part). For instance, in this section from the Chapter Four write up:

“Seven parents mentioned social benefits in their interviews, making it another common theme. Interestingly, the parent-only group and the parent/ administrator mentioned them, but none of the parent/teachers did. PA (participant) 1 stated, “I think the biggest benefits...is a strong supportive friend network.” P7 said, “The friendships, I think, are, you know, very solid in Band” (pg. 98).

💡 CHAPTER 4 TIPS

  • Transition from Chapter 3 by summarizing how your methods led to your results.

  • Organize your data using headings and subheadings to highlight themes and patterns in a logical way and include quotes and data excerpts to illustrate your points.

  • Ensure your presentation is clear and concise, focusing solely on reporting your findings without analysis. That’s next.

Zooming In: How to Write Chapter 4 Qualitative Research Findings

Chapter 4 is challenging because it requires a precise and objective presentation of qualitative data. The hard part is organizing all your data clearly and logically without actually interpreting it. But this chapter is key as it forms the foundation for your analysis and discussion in the next chapter. Here’s what to keep in mind as you work through this section:

  • Categorize Your Data: Group your data into categories or themes that emerged during your research. This helps organize your findings logically and makes it easier for readers to follow your narrative.

  • Visual Aids: Use charts, tables, and diagrams to represent your data visually. Visual aids can make complex data more understandable and highlight key points effectively.

  • Direct Quotes: Including direct quotes from your participants adds authenticity to your findings. Make sure these quotes are relevant and illustrate the themes you are discussing.

  • Comparative Analysis: If possible, compare your findings across different contexts or groups. This will give you deeper insights and highlight patterns or issues in your data.

  • Triangulation: Use multiple sources or types of data to corroborate your findings. Triangulation strengthens the credibility of your research and provides a more comprehensive view of your study area. 

🔁 Chapter 4 Recap:

  • Begin with a brief summary of how your methodology led to these findings. This sets the context for your readers.

  • Break down your Chapter 4 findings into sections with clear subheadings. This improves readability and helps organize your data logically.

  • Focus on presenting the data objectively without interpretation. Your goal here is to report what you found, not what you think it means—that comes in the next chapter.

  • Prioritize simplicity and clarity in your presentation. Avoid jargon and overly complex sentences to make your findings accessible to a broad audience.

  • Prepare to discuss! As you present your findings, remember how they will lead into your discussion. Set the stage for your analysis and interpretation in Chapter 5.

Chapter 5: Discussion (or Conclusion)

In the discussion chapter, you interpret the findings, discuss their implications, and suggest areas for future research. This chapter connects your results to the literature review and research question, discussing the broader implications of your work. Highlight the significance of your findings, compare them with existing literature, and propose future research directions.

Example Excerpt: In The Influence of Homeland Culture on First-Generation Immigrants Caring for Children with Autism by Paula Frances Duggins, the discussion chapter interprets the data, examining how cultural background affects caregiving practices:

"Results further reveal important information that holds relevance in parents’ cross-cultural interactions with U.S. healthcare and educational professionals. For example, the absence of prior homeland knowledge of the concepts of autism and disability led to confusion about their children’s diagnosis, further exacerbated by a lack of knowledge about how to access and navigate the U.S. systems to find assistance for their children’s needs" (pg. 218).

Key Findings, Implications, and Recommendations:

If you read the full study, you will notice that Chapter 5 interprets the findings and examines how cultural background affects caregiving practices. Key findings include challenges parents face in navigating U.S. systems, the need for culturally competent partnerships, and the role of social support from homeland communities. 

💡 CHAPTER 5 TIPS

  • Transitioning from Chapter 4 to Chapter 5 involves moving from presenting your results to interpreting them.

  • Discuss how your findings answer your research questions, their significance, and how they fit into the existing body of knowledge.

  • Identify any limitations in your study and suggest areas for further research.

Table: Structural Formats for Research Papers

Format Description Why Use It
IMRAD Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. Provides a clear, logical structure, ideal for scientific and medical research papers.
ICMJE Similar to IMRAD, with additional focus on ethical considerations and conflicts of interest. Ensures rigorous standards for medical research and emphasizes transparency and ethical considerations.
PEEL Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link. Helps develop coherent and persuasive arguments, making it easier for readers to follow your logic.
Narrative Flexible structure, focusing on storytelling and contextual analysis. Ideal for case studies and ethnographic research, allowing for a deeper exploration of context and experiences.

Choosing the Right Format for Your Qualitative Research Paper

If you're a student writing a dissertation or meeting specific citation style requirements from your instructor, you're likely looking for specific guidance. Sometimes, you'll have the flexibility to decide which format works best for your research. If that’s you, here are a few things to consider:

Key Considerations

  • Discipline or Field: As mentioned earlier, certain citation styles are preferred in specific fields. For example, APA is commonly used in social sciences, MLA in humanities, and Chicago in history and some social sciences.

  • Instructor’s Requirements: Always follow the specific guidelines provided by your instructor or institution, as they may have preferences for formatting and citation styles.

  • Research Type: The nature of your qualitative research may influence the best structure for presenting your findings. For example, narrative analysis research might be better suited to a format different from grounded theory.

  • Journal Requirements: If you plan to publish your research, check the submission guidelines of your target journal, as they often specify a required citation style.

Practical Tips

  • Align with Objectives: Use this article to choose a format that aligns with your research objectives and makes your paper easy to understand and follow.

  • Consistency: To maintain a professional and polished appearance, ensure consistency in citations and references throughout your paper. If you’re working in a team, QDA coding tools like Delve’s web-based software help keep everyone on the same page.

  • Examples: Look at published research papers in your field to see how they are structured and which citation styles are commonly used.

Remember that while some elements are fixed, you might have some flexibility in presenting your findings, especially in qualitative research. 

Choosing the right format can make a remarkable difference in how well your research lands with readers and instructors, so make sure to pick the one that suits your specific needs.

Qualitative analysis doesn't have to be overwhelming.

Take Delve's free online course. → Get started here.

How to Conduct a Literature Review for Your Qualitative Research

Doing a thorough literature review is essential for any qualitative research paper. It helps you understand the existing research landscape, identify gaps, and establish a framework for your study. Here’s a simple guide with a few tools that can help streamline the process:

  1. Define Your Research Question: Clearly articulate what you want to investigate. This will guide your search for relevant literature.

  2. Search for Relevant Literature: Use academic databases, journals, and libraries to find sources related to your topic. Tools like Zotero and Mendeley are excellent for efficiently managing and organizing your sources.

  3. Evaluate and Synthesize Findings: Critically assess the quality and relevance of the literature. Look for patterns, themes, and major findings related to your research question. Zotero and EndNote can help you keep track of your evaluations and notes.

  4. Identify Research Gaps: Determine where the current research falls short or where new insights are needed. This will help justify the need for your study.

  5. Establish a Theoretical Framework: Use the literature to build a theoretical foundation for your research. This framework will guide your analysis and interpretation of findings.

  6. Qualitative Analysis: Use software like Delve to streamline your qualitative analysis process. Delve offers transparency and ease in organizing your data, enhancing the thoroughness of your review. The web-based software also supports and streamlines collaborative analysis with others.

  7. Writing Your Review: Once you have gathered and analyzed your literature, use Scrivener to structure and write your dissertation. Scrivener provides powerful tools for organizing and managing your writing project effectively.

  8. Finalizing Your Paper: To add the final touches, format and polish your paper using classic tools like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. 

💡 ADDITIONAL TIPS

  • Be Systematic: Follow a structured approach in searching, evaluating, and synthesizing literature to ensure thoroughness and consistency. Having a bread trail of notes and benchmarks will help you locate and troubleshoot issues more efficiently.

  • Stay Current: Focus on the most recent studies or those cited frequently in your field to ensure your research is up-to-date and relevant.

Following these steps and utilizing tools like Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, Delve, Scrivener, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs can help you create a professional-level literature review that supports and enhances your qualitative research paper.

How to Write About Qualitative Analysis Tools In Your Dissertation

Delve’s user-friendly, web-based coding software helps you quickly uncover hidden patterns and insightful themes. Let's explore how researchers like those mentioned above have used Delve and how they reference its role within their research process. 

  • In Baker's Grounded Theory Study on E-Leadership in the U.S. Army:

    • “Delve saved me valuable time and assisted in my ability to evaluate the Zoom audio and visual data files by transcribing the audio files and allowing me to add notes regarding the nonverbal data attained from the visual files. This analysis then continued with thematic identifications and verifications through systematic reviews to ensure the trustworthiness of the data” (p. 7).

    • Delve is one of the most manageable computer-aided qualitative data analysis (CAQDA) software tools to learn and apply and is competitively priced. Furthermore, the free tutorials from the Delvetool.com website showed me how the software could assist the researcher by improving the efficiency gained by not consolidating and coding the data manually. The large amount of data gathered from conducting eleven 45-minute interviews required this type of robust, user-friendly software package, saving time and improving the validity and credibility of my research” (p. 71-72).

  • In Cetrone’s Exploring Physician Assistant students' perceptions of stress and help seeking behavior:

    • “Transcriptions of each focus group were reviewed and organized into categories using Delve (www.delvetool.com) software to facilitate identifying common themes. Codes were to be identified by examining common phrases and sentiments across the written survey responses and the focus group questions following Saldana's premise. Once the codes were first determined, the second coding cycle would follow to streamline the codes further and help identify common threads and emerging themes in the data analysis process. Once the codes were streamlined, various themes for each guiding research question were identified” (p. 97).

  • In Ianaconi’s Perceived problems and advantages associated with teaching band in rural northern New York:

    • “Using the coding program Delve, the researcher created codes that identified reoccurring themes using a line-by-line approach. The coding process also included the use of descriptive and in-vivo codes. Theoretical saturation was also tested during the open coding process. Open codes were organized into categories or axial codes. The researcher developed a theoretical implication from the axial codes and lived experiences of the study participants” (p. 71-72).

    • The researcher used the DelveTool to organize and identify codes during this analysis. Transcripts were classified into individual segments using the DelveTool website. The researcher identified 480 unique segments from participant interviews and survey responses. Selected segments highlighted a theme or idea related to the study's research questions” (p. 84).

  • In McGowan’s Parent perspectives for elementary instrumental music participation:

    • “Interview analysis for text coding was performed using the Delve Tool. Multiple rounds of coding were conducted in a spiral manner to ensure consistency and accuracy. Many answers to questions received multiple codes due to overlap in participant answers. For example, schedule and location were separate codes. However, many participants talked about both in relation to one another rather than as individual topics. After that, themes were developed via the codes. Online tools are becoming common and valuable in the data analysis process” (p. 76).

    • The Delve Tool was accessed to create a qualitative codebook. Oliveira stated, “Codebooks are a well-established tool for improving the consistency of coding in qualitative research projects.” After the initial codebook creation, the researcher further refined themes, which required making, as one researcher defined it, “multiple decisions on deleting, merging, relabelling, and expanding codes to fine-tune their contribution to the analysis of the data” (p. 76).

  • In Duggins’ The influence of homeland culture on first-generation immigrants caring for children with autism:

    • “The DELVE program is a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software tool (CAQDAS) used to streamline and manage the systematic analysis of the qualitative data derived from the participant interviews. As the DELVE program reads through the data transcription, it identifies and records repeated words patterns, phrases, and meanings as codes and assists in organizing the data analysis” (pp. 102-103).

    • “The DELVE software scrutinized the field notes, interviews, and other data documents line by line and broke the data down into smaller manageable “chunks,” fragments or patterns of narrative data to permit the data to be divided, inspected, and grouped (Christensen, 2017, p. 84). In seeking to allow the codes to emerge from the participants’ words, the DELVE program was not loaded with prescribed codes” (p. 103).

Delve freed these researchers to dig deeper into their data and make meaningful contributions to their field by streamlining data organization, coding, and theme identification. Its efficiency and ease of use enhance qualitative research's validity and credibility.

Last Word On Formatting Your Qualitative Analysis Paper

This guide helps you make key decisions about structuring and formatting your research paper, from APA and MLA to IMRAD and beyond.

We’ve also introduced tools like Zotero and Mendeley to help organize your literature review, while Scrivener aids in structuring and writing your dissertation. Delve is another convenient tool we covered that helps with your analysis phase and makes it easy to code and organize your data in less time. 

By integrating these tools into your research process, you can streamline your workflow and enhance the quality of your qualitative analysis. Start your free trial of Delve today!

Common Q&As: Formatting a Qualitative Research Paper

  • Q: What is the main difference between APA and MLA styles?
    A: APA is used primarily in social sciences and emphasizes the date of publication, while MLA is used in humanities and focuses on authorship.

  • Q: How do I choose the right format for my qualitative research paper?
    A: Consider your discipline, research type, and journal requirements. Align the format with your research objectives and ensure consistency in citations and references.

  • Q: What should be included in a literature review?
    A: A literature review should define your research question, evaluate relevant literature, identify research gaps, and establish a theoretical framework.

  • Q: How do I structure my methodology chapter for qualitative research?
    A: In the methodology chapter, provide a detailed description of your research design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques. This helps ensure transparency and replicability.

  • Q: What are common mistakes to avoid in qualitative research papers?
    A: Common mistakes include failing to align the research question with the methodology, inadequate literature review, and lack of clear structure in presenting findings. Ensure each part of your paper is well-integrated and logically flows.

  • Q: How do I incorporate theoretical frameworks in my qualitative research paper?
    A: Theoretical frameworks should be introduced in the literature review and used to guide your research questions and methodology. Clearly explain how the chosen framework relates to your study and helps interpret your findings.

  • Q: Can I use the IMRAD format with APA style?
    A: No, APA style includes specific guidelines for formatting your paper, including the title page, abstract, headings, and reference list. IMRAD is a separate structure used primarily in scientific papers. APA focuses more on citation and formatting rules rather than the structure of the content.

  • Q: What are the main differences between APA style and the IMRAD format?
    A: APA style provides guidelines for citations, formatting, and structure, while IMRAD is a specific format for organizing scientific papers into Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion sections. APA can incorporate IMRAD, but they serve different purposes.

  • Q: How do I format a qualitative research paper in APA style?
    A: When formatting a qualitative research paper in APA style, follow guidelines for the title page, abstract, headings, and reference list. Use APA's recommended structure for your specific type of research, which might differ from the IMRAD format.

  • Q: What should be included on the title page in APA style?
    A: The title page in APA style should include the title of your paper, your name, and your institutional affiliation. It may also include the course name, instructor’s name, and the date, depending on the specific requirements.

  • Q: How do I structure the abstract in an APA-style paper?
    A: The abstract in an APA-style paper should be a concise summary of your research, typically between 150-250 words. It should include your research topic, research questions, methods, results, and conclusions. The abstract should be on a separate page immediately following the title page

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General ResourcesDaniel Politz