Form the research question with care. The question should be clear and concise, lending itself to a qualitative study. Because qualitative research aims to explore and describe a phenomenon, the question should not include a yes-or-no answer design. The question must be understandable and specific. For example, "How do students learn in grade school?" is neither clear or specific. "What are third-grade teachers' perceptions of their students' learning in the language arts center?" is more precise.
Review the design and methods. You can employ several different approaches to qualitative research, such as ethnographies, case studies, phenomenology or grounded theory. Tailor your methods to the approach as well as the topic and question. Participant observations may be more appropriate for an ethnography, while in-depth interviews might work better for a case study.
Evaluate the sample. Ask yourself if the sample size, make-up and selection are clearly given and justified for the specific study and methodology. Include a clear rationale for why and how the sample was chosen for the study. Qualitative research with little to no description of the sample population or the methodology behind choosing participants may lack quality. Work toward supporting the research question in selecting the sample and include a size that matches the approach. A case study may include as little as one participant, while an ethnography could include an entire community.
Review the data collection and analysis procedures to ensure they are clearly stated. The study should pose a rationale for all methods used as well as a description. This may include a discussion of the individuals responsible for collecting the data, where the data came from (i.e., interviews, observations), how the data was analyzed and why specific analysis methods were chosen.
Check the research findings for validity. All of the findings should clearly connect to the stated data and purpose of the study. Include a purposeful discussion of how the findings were reached, focusing on exploring and describing participants' views, behaviors and/or attitudes in reference to the research question.