Qualitative Methods
Aims
The goal of this course is to equip students with the intellectual baggage necessary for the design, execution, and publication of truly excellent qualitative research studies.
Information
The following topics are covered in this course in 5 consecutive weeks: (1a) qualitative “versus” quantitative research; (1b) measurement and operationalization in qualitative research settings; (2a) data collection: interviews, documents, observation, data bases, and more; (2b) data analysis: data reduction, causal inference, and qualitative data analysis software (NVivo, Atlas.ti, UCINET, QCA); (3a) ethnography; (3b) grounded theory methods; (4a) case study methods; (4b) content analytical methods and discourse analysis; and (5) capita selecta.
Central to this course is that students acquire an advanced understanding of the qualitative research process in general, and of several commonly used qualitative research designs in particular. Students are also expected to get acquainted with and learn how to use qualitative data analysis programs, such as NVivo, (www.qsrinternational.com), Atlas.ti (www.atlasti.de), fs/QCA (http://www.u.arizona.edu/~cragin/fsQCA/), or UCINET (www.analytictech.com).
Assessment
The grade components for this course are: (1) an in-class paper presentation (20%); (2) class participation (20%); a written final exam (60%).
Materials
The literature for this course will consist of carefully selected articles and book chapters, made available through Canvas. The materials will include original methodological contributions, as well as exemplary applied research articles.
Additional info
The timetable for this course can be found in the EUR course guide.
ERIM PhD candidates and Research Master students can register for this course via Osiris Student.
External (non-ERIM) participants are welcome to this course. To register, please fill in the registration form and e-mail it to the ERIM Doctoral Office by four weeks prior to the start of the course. For external participants, the course fee is 260 euro per ECTS credit.
