Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

SOCY60231 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods 15 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 James Hodgson Unit coordinator Sociology 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 The course is an introductory module for postgraduate students that take the QRM courses. The first two sessions are the same as for SOCY60230, while the remaining five sessions are specific to this course.  (Sessions 1 and 2 for SOCY60230 and SOCY60231 are the same) Lecture 3Methodological philosophies in qualitative researchThis lecture focuses on the key methodological philosophies or paradigms that underpin qualitative research. We will also explore some of the implications that such philosophies have in terms of research design. Workshop 3 This workshop offers students the opportunity to you reflect upon what different philosophical approaches look like when it comes to conducting research in practice. In groups, you will pick a topic of research and discuss how researchers adopting different paradigmatic stances might approach the study of this topic. For more detail on weekly workshop tasks, please consult Blackboard. Lecture 4 Tools for gathering qualitative data This week, we turn to explore the most commonly used methods of data collection in qualitative research, including individual interviews, focus groups and observation. Workshop 4 During this workshop, students will reflect upon methodological choices in qualitative research, with a particular focus on choosing methods of data collection that allow for the research questions of a study to be adequately addressed. For more detail on weekly workshop tasks, please consult Blackboard. Lecture 5 Qualitative data analysis The most commonly used approaches to qualitative data analysis are the focus of this week's Lecture. We explore how data are prepared for analysis and discuss a few different approaches to analysis. We will focus particularly on thematic analysis, which involves coding data as a way of identifying themes. Workshop 5 This workshop offers students some practical experience of doing qualitative data analysis. Ahead of class, you will be asked to analyse parts of an interview transcript to  get a sense of what qualitative analysis entails. During the workshop, you will discuss your experience in smaller groups so as to reflect upon the process. For more detail on weekly workshop tasks, please consult Blackboard. Lecture 6 Mixed methods approaches The lecture this week focuses on approaches that mix qualitative and quantitative methods. We explore different approaches to such mixing of methods, including qualitatively driven mixed methods, and various ways in which mixed methods studies can be designed. Workshop 6 Using published research articles as material, students will reflect upon different ways in which methods can be mixed, for what purposes, and with what results. For more detail on weekly workshop tasks, please consult Blackboard. Lecture 7 Theorising and generalising with qualitative data In this final session, we discuss how researchers can theorise on the basis of qualitative data. We also explore different approaches to generalisation, and criteria used to judge the quality of qualitative research. Workshop 7 During this workshop, students will discuss and evaluate how qualitative studies generalise their results. For more detail on weekly workshop tasks, please consult Blackboard. The course aims to introduce students to qualitative research by looking at the ontological and epistemological foundations from an historical perspective, and at the range of instruments available both for collecting and analysing data. The first lecture (SOCY60230) introduces the course and overviews the structure of the QRM programme. The lecture proper will discuss some key characteristics of qualitative research, and we will go over some basic methodological terminology that will be in use throughout the module. The second lecture (SOCY60230) discusses the key elements of doing qualitative research projects: thinking carefully about research questions, working through the advantages/disadvantages of different sampling strategies and attending to ethics from the outset. The following five lectures (SOCY60231) overview the various theoretical perspectives that have adopted qualitative methods in social science's research, the methods for collecting and analysing qualitative data, and introduce some advanced perspectives on mixed methods. These lectures are intended as introductory sessions to orientate the students in the selection of the 5-credit QRM units in the qualitative methods they're particularly interested in. In the concluding session, the module discusses the possibility for generalizing qualitative results. On completion of these units successful students will be able to: <ul> <li>Be familiar with the foundational ontological and epistemological elements of qualitative research. </li> <li>Critically engage with the debate over the incompatibilities between qualitative and quantitative methods by placing the paradigm war into its historical perspective. </li> <li>Recognize and understand the various methods for data collection and analysis that are available in qualitative research. </li> <li>Familiarize with the recent advancement in the debate that pushes toward mixed methods approaches. </li> <li>Understand the possibilities for generalizing qualitative results and present them in a coherent and robust way. </li></ul> Each week comprises a 1-hour lecture for the whole class and a 1-hour workshop in smaller groups. Your tasks for each week are specified in detail in the weekly folders on Blackboard. So, for each topic you should, at least: <ul> <li>Read the essential reading(s), plus one other recommended reading as listed on Reading Lists Online. </li> <li>Carry out additional preparation for scheduled workshops s as specified on the Blackboard website. </li> <li>Attend the lecture and participate in the workshop. </li></ul> 0 Other 100% One assessed essay with a maximum limit of 2,000 words makes up 100% of the overall course mark. The word limit allows for +/- 10%, i.e. in the range 1,800-2,200 words.Note: You must include an accurate word count on the front page of your essay. Failure to do so  will lead to an automatic 2 mark deduction. Your word count should include all text in the essay (including any footnotes, tables and so on) but does not include the bibliography. Choose two research articles (from a list of articles available on Blackboard). Critically discuss and compare, across the two articles:<ol> <li>The paradigmatic foundation of the article, reflecting upon the ontological and epistemological implications. </li> <li>The strategy for data collection and analysis, and the sample strategies that the researchers have adopted. </li> <li>The type of analysis they have conducted. </li> <li>The claims and inferences that they make in the article, including claims for generalisation (if any).</li></ol>More details on the assessment are available on Blackboard.  SOCS60230 Qualitative Research Methods Pre-Requisite Compulsory Y Lectures 10 0 140