Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
XX50138 Qualitative methods 2 |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: CW 100% |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take XX50136 |
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Aims & Learning Objectives: To equip students with a critical appreciation of appropriate use of qualitative methods in social research, and the skills to conduct analyse and interpret qualitative research. After completing the unit students will: Knowledge and Understanding: * Appreciate the relationship between qualitative and quantitative methods and the rationale for when to use qualitative methods with particular relation to their discipline field * understand the epistemological assumptions that underpin qualitative methodology in their discipline * be aware of ethical issues in qualitative research Intellectual Skills: * be able to generate researchable problems using qualitative methods * be able to select appropriate qualitative methods for research questions in relation to their own discipline * be able to conduct research using qualitative methods, including the use of recording techniques * be familiar with methods for the analysis of qualitative data, including computer-based techniques * recognise how tools for research are developed in response to a particular research question * recognise the cultural context of the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of qualitative material and the implications of this for formulating research designs. Content: The unit builds on Qualitative Methods 1 through more advanced methods of data analysis, and more discipline-specific developments of appropriate techniques. The unit will comprise 1. lectures and classes exploring critical issues in the rationale and conduct of qualitative research, including ethical and cultural issues 2. workshops on selected qualitative methods eg analysis of text and visual material, social networks, participant observation, diary studies, Q methodology, participatory research, evaluation 3. In depth critical classwork on discipline-related research questions 4. Workshops on the use of software-based methods of data analysis. |