Advanced Qualitative Methods

Information

In this 6-session course, we will explore what it means to use qualitative research methods as the basis for good academic research. We will reflect on and discuss the strengths of qualitative research as well as consider its limitations. Through an in-depth examination of the different methods and approaches within the qualitative research tradition, students will gain a detailed understanding of the different kinds of methods available to them. Importantly, the course goes beyond critical reflection and discussion and challenges students to put their understanding into practice. Accordingly, students will design a qualitative research project that they will set up and execute in the course of one week. By drawing on different qualitative methods, students will experience how they can combine different qualitative methods to triangulate and validate their findings. Students will also be faced with practical methodological issues such as gaining access, building trust and the time involved in doing qualitative research. In addition, students will use qualitative data (either their own or the data from the data collection exercise) as the basis for data analysis. Here, students will use different methods for data analysis on the same data to understand how their choices may lead to different conclusions. In conclusion, the course aims to provide students with the ability to reflect on and critically engage with an array of different qualitative methods for data collection and analysis, as well as provide hands on practical experience to put their ideas into practice.