Qualitative Research: Methods, Tools and Techniques

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• 1.Understand different epistemological approaches to researching and analysing contemporary issues in the social world  
• 4.Critically evaluate the sampling strategies used in qualitative research
• 3.Critically evaluate the epistemological foundations and key principals of qualitative research
• 6.Critically evaluate methods, tools and techniques for analysing different types of qualitative data.
• 2.Examine qualitative methods of data collection and analysis and assess the appropriateness of their use in researching the social world 
• 5.Critically evaluate methods, tools and techniques for collecting different types of qualitative data

• Revisiting epistemology: the philosophical foundations of qualitative research
• Principles of qualitative research: verstehen, thick description, validity
• Collecting qualitative data 1: interviews and focus groups
• Collecting qualitative data 2: ethnography and observation
• Collecting qualitative data 3 documents from the web, social media and policy
• Analysing Qualitative Data 1 : transcripts and fieldnotes
• Analysing Qualitative Data 2: documents from the web, social media and policy
• Nvivo master-class

The module is structured using a blended learning format with weekly lectures, reading worksheets and seminars providing the content and the opportunity to discuss, practice and receive feedback. A lab based Nvivo masterclass will provide a grounding in computer assisted qualitative data analysis software

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.