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XX50138: Qualitative methods 2

[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences (units for MRes programmes)
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: ES 50%, OT 50%
Assessment Detail:
  • Essay (ES 50%)
  • Report of project on data analysis - group presentation (OT 50%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take XX50136
Aims: The unit aims to equip students with a thoroughunderstanding of basic qualitative methods in social sciences research, and with the conceptual and practical skills to begin to conduct, analyse, interpret and present qualitative research.

Learning Outcomes:
* Critical understanding of qualitative methods in terms of design, implementation, data analyses and presentation of findings;
* Critical understanding of relationship between qualitative and quantitative methods, and ability to develop rigorous arguments using appropriate qualitative methods;
* Critical understanding of the epistemological assumptions that underpin qualitative methodologies;
* Identify and critically conceptualise appropriate criteria to assess the quality, rigour and integrity of qualitative research;
* Critical understanding of the ethics involved in qualitative research.

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 able to manage qualitative data
* Be familiar with methods for the analysis of qualitative data, including computer-based techniques
* Acquire presentational skills
* Appreciate cross-cultural issues in qualitative research
* Be able to identify and address ethical issues arising from qualitative research.

Content: The unit builds on Qualitative Methods 1 through more advanced methods of data analysis, more discipline-specific developments of appropriate techniques, and greater emphasis on presentation of findings. The unit will comprise of day long workshops on selected qualitative research methods, and support for group based research projects.

Programme availability:

XX50138 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Psychology

XX50138 is Optional (DEU) on the following programmes:

Department of Education Department for Health Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THXX-AFM50 : MRes Politics & International Studies
  • THXX-AFM51 : MRes Politics & International Studies (Leading to PhD)
Department of Psychology Department of Social & Policy Sciences

XX50138 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Education Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THXX-AFM50 : MRes Politics & International Studies
  • THXX-AFM51 : MRes Politics & International Studies (Leading to PhD)
Department of Social & Policy Sciences

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.