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Subject details

After successfully completing this subject you should be able to:

  1. Discuss and debate the main characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of qualitative social research.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the process of qualitative research, including issues of research design, ethics and politics.
  3. Identify criteria by which to evaluate qualitative research and apply these criteria in critical review of published work.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of different techniques for qualitative data collection and the practical and ethical issues involved.
  5. Discriminate between different qualitative approaches and their application.
  6. Demonstrate an ability to systematically collect, manage, analyse and write-up qualitative data.

  • Topics

    • Why do qualitative research?
    • Study design, rigour and ethics
    • Qualitative interviewing
    • Focus groups
    • Designing an interview
    • Ethnographic fieldwork
    • Using visual materials
    • Observation and field notes
    • Using the internet
    • Documentary research
    • Approaches to Analysis
    • Presenting qualitative research

  • Study resources

    • Instructional Methods

      • Discussion forum/Discussion Board
      • Online assignment submission
      • Podcasting/Lecture capture

    • Online Materials

      • Printable format materials
      • Resources and Links

Entry Requirements

Equivalent Subjects

You cannot enrol in this unit if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

  • GRF-MCCJ7037

Special requirements

No special requirements

This subject was previously known as Qualitative Social Research.

This subject provides students with an opportunity to develop practical skills in collecting, analysing and presenting qualitative data. It starts with an overview of the philosophical, practical and ethical issues involved in `doing' qualitative research before introducing students to a wide range of qualitative data collection methods. Students will also learn how to organise, analyse and write up qualitative research data. Throughout the degree, a hands-on approach will be taken, providing an opportunity to develop research skills and to develop a critical evaluative perspective on the research process itself.

  • Inductive Thematic Analysis (50%)
  • Assignment (20%)
  • Fieldwork exercise (30%)

Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a subject.

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