Learning objectives
At the end of this course, the student:
• Knows how to distinguish the merits of qualitative research methods from other research methods;
• Is able to write and present a qualitative research for an academic journal;
• Is able to gather qualitative data by means of interview and observation techniques;
• Acquired the ability to use elementary techniques to analyse qualitative data;
• Acquired the ability to evaluate the quality of qualitative research.
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This course covers fundamental concepts in qualitative research design, sampling strategies, data generation, data analysis, and evaluation. Course content includes qualitative research methods used in social science research, especially in the management field. Topics include (1) research objectives and contexts appropriate to the use of qualitative methods; (2) theoretical traditions in qualitative research; (3) sampling strategies; (4) intent and techniques for qualitative research methods; and (5) preliminary analysis of qualitative data, selection and use of supporting qualitative and/or quantitative methods, analysis of data and presentation of research results. A set of field-based experiences will be designed to give students opportunities to become familiar with specific forms of qualitative data gathering such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, and ethnography.
This course combines hands-on work on qualitative research projects that will be performed in small groups with background classes on the merits and limitations of qualitative, case based research vis-a-vis other research methods. The aim of the qualitative research project is to design a case study. The problem definition and design of your case study will be made in consultation with people from your research context, for example in organisation(s) at which you will then perform pilot interviews. These interviews will be analysed to give you experience with qualitative methods of data-analysis. The end purpose is to not only show the merits of qualitative data analysis, but also to learn you to think what method of analysis is fit for what kind of question.
Academic skills
This course focuses on the following academic skills:
Communication skills
• Being able to present the content of an article or the results of an (instructed) research.
• Being able to write a compact and instructed paper on a specific subject, both individually and in groups.
• Being able to provide useful and correct feedback on a presentation or small paper.
• Being able to accept and process feedback from others on a presentation or small assignment.
Information processing
• Knowledge of potential sources for literature and data and the skills to explore these independently for a small research project.
• Being able to detect plagiarism and being able to avoid any kind of plagiarism.
• Providing correct references in text in a small research project.
• Providing a correct reference list for a small research project.
• Being able to present data in a correct and useful manner in a small and instructed research project.
Academic research
• Being able to design a proper problem definition within the scope and instruction of the course.
• Being able to execute the instructed research design.
• Being able to search and select (additional) sources for the research.
• Being able to execute an instructed empirical research.
• Being able to apply theoretical concepts in research.
• Being able to use correct references (e.g. APA style).
• Being able to draw clear and correct conclusions.
Social responsibility
• Being able to work effectively in teams for a specific project with limited intervention or instruction.
Format
(Guest) lectures, tutorials, feedback and project groups.
Assessment
• Active participation in class: 10%
• In-class presentations, quality of the debate: 20%
• Late midterm exam - Questions mainly from PeerWise (multiple choice): 20%
• Final written assignment (consisting of 3 parts) and effective teamwork: 50%
Effort requirements
• 80% attendance of all tutorials;
• Active participation project group;
• Preparation for tutorials and project group;
• Timely handing in of research project assignments.
Courses that build on Qualitative Research Methods
The course is a good preparation for writing a qualitative BSc thesis and the masters programmes at U.S.E.
In case online access is required for this course and you are not in the position to buy the access code, you are advised to contact the course coordinator for an alternative solution. Please note that access codes are not re-usable meaning that codes from second hand books do not work, as well as access codes from books with a different ISBN number. Separate or spare codes are usually not available.
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