Qualitative Methods 1

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Actively contribute to seminar discussions.
• Effectively read and summarise literature on qualitative research methods to construct arguments about their value and application.
• Appreciate epistemological and ethical issues involved in qualitative research.
• Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of specific methods.
• Understand the principles of Computer Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS).
• Describe the defining characteristics of key qualitative research methods and have an overview of various types of data collection
• Evaluate the methods and methodology employed in qualitative research.
• Make informed decisions about choosing and using appropriate qualitative data collection and analysis methods.
• Use CAQDAS to code qualitative data.

Indicative Syllabus:

1. Course overview and introduction to qualitative methods

2. Qualitative interviewing

3. Focus groups

4. Observational methods

5. Secondary data analysis: documents and archives

6. Organising and Coding Data and NVivo workshop

Lectures by experts in the field are designed to provide an overview introduction to the method or topic. Seminar content is designed to explore the particular issues that arise in using qualitative methods in the social sciences and use a range of appropriate pedagogic methods. The module also offers an additional workshop on computer-assisted qualitative data analysis.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.