Subject: Other.
Topic: Qualitative analysis
Academic Level : Bachelor
Paper details
2000-word Qualitative Analysis
In this coursework, you are asked to write a brief research report using MAXQDA software and the techniques
that we have learned in class in order to COMPARE: Trump’s 2020 State of the Union Speech; Ursula von der
Leyen’s Nov 2019 Speech in the European Parliament Plenary Session; and Vladimir Putin’s Jan 2020 Speech
to the Federal Assembly
To this end please follow the steps and outline below:
1. Define your research question Examples: ‘How do Trump, von der Leyen and Putin discuss political
concepts of… [for instance, “power”, “climate change”, “market”,“citizenship” – you are welcome to choose other
political concepts that you identify as interesting to discuss ] to advocate actual political changes?’ What is the
security narrative portrayed by Trump, von der Leyen and Putin? ‘What policy problems and corresponding
solutions are proffered by the political elites towards social positive change’? In what ways do Trump’s and
Putin’s policy rhetoric converge and diverge? What is the role of political isolationism in speeches by Trump,
von der Leyen and Putin?
• Provide a brief background to the study and say why the question is interesting / significant.
2. Identify existing literature and theory/ies
• Think about what factors may be important for answering your research question and why they may be
important.
Example: Power. Provide a brief discussion of why you think “power” is an important concept to analysing elite
speeches as these, and what factors may influence how we can make sense of elite conceptions of power e.g.
tone adopted; policy areas focussed on; actors engaged with, etc.; and discuss how you are going to assess
these factors in your analysis. This section will be supported by literature surrounding the topic as well as the
methodological literature (course readings).
• Which theoretical models can/cannot explain the phenomenon you are interested in?
• You will need to do a brief literature review to flesh out your ideas with the relevant literature.
3. Derive a proposition to work with.
• If positivist, derive a proposition based on your theory (built from the literature) which links your cause
(independent variable) X to your outcome (dependent variable) Y – and think about how to best to assess these
two concepts in a qualitative context.
Example: Political speeches delivered by Trump and Putin are more likely to advance an isolationist agenda
than the speech delivered by von der Leyen
• If post-positivist (interpretivist or taking a decoloniality position) derive a proposition based on insights from
the data. Instead of a causal relationship, identify an important/interesting factor(s) which links your object of
study – and think about how to best to examine in a qualitative context
Examples: ‘Perhaps these speeches differ in their understanding and description of “power”’ or climate change
is represented as a threat in different ways with different solutions.
4. Analysis and presentation of results: Show the reader how your concepts/variables differ/align across these
speeches and evaluate your results. Make sure you use the appropriate techniques from MAXQDA as well as
including the codebook for your data.
5. MAKE SURE to interpret your results. Are there any identifiable patterns? Do the results support or
contradict your proposition/ existing literature and other policy sources? What can you infer from your analysis
in relation to your main concept and elite approaches broadly speaking?
The submitted version of the coursework should include the following:
• Title: Underscoring the key issue addressed in the report
• Executive Summary (max. 300 words): Identifying the purpose, argument and
• Structure of Report: o Clear and concise introduction and conclusion, underlining the rationale for selecting
the data addressed in the report, and summarising the academic and policy context in which the data emerged.
o Clarify the key arguments emerging from the analysis of the data.
o The introduction should also include the rationale for why this issue is of interest (student/politicians/
academics, etc.) and set out a clear structure for the report to follow.
o Main body: developing an analysis of the data – on its own right and further and in the light of broader trends
in other research projects, relevant literature and policy area.
• Personal Reflection (100 words): addressing the key similarities, differences and challenges on writing a
research report compared to an academic essay (maybe written in the first person (e.g. I found).
• Broadly, the report should
o Be related to relevant academic and policy sources, databases, documents, and research papers.
o Include clear research analysis developed by the student and recognise what potential criticisms may be
applied to the resulting argument by prospective and future researchers.
o Be specific and accurate in its use of additional information and sources, and the references it makes to the
relevant research and policy sources.
o Be well written and must correspond to the word count.
Consistent referencing in the text and a concise bibliography at the end, following the guidelines of APA 6th ed.