Qualitative Social Research
PostgraduateGRF-CCJ7372026
Course information for 2026 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Hone your practical skills in collecting, analysing and presenting qualitative data. Understand the issues of research design, ethics and politics, and identify criteria to evaluate research in a critical review of published work.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 22 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Price from
- $3,562
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Qualitative Social Research
About this subject
After successfully completing this subject you should be able to:
- Appraise the research design, rigour and ethics in a critical review of published qualitative research.
- Compare different techniques for qualitative data collection and the practical and ethical issues involved.
- Develop and practise a method for qualitative data collection.
- Employ thematic analysis using NVivo to manage and analyse qualitative data.
- Interpret and communicate qualitative data findings.
- Introduction: What is Qualitative Research?
- Study Design, Rigour and Ethics
- Theory-Driven vs Grounded Approaches
- Interviews
- Focus Groups
- Ethnographic Fieldwork and Observations
- Document and Archival Research
- Internet and Digital Research
- Data Analysis Techniques and Introduction to NVivo
- Qualitative Data Analysis with NVivo
- Developing and Presenting Patterns and Themes
- Writing and Communicating Qualitative Research
This subject was previously known as Qualitative Skills for Criminologists.
This subject allows students to develop practical skills in collecting, analysing, and presenting qualitative data. It begins with an overview of the philosophical, practical, and ethical issues in conducting qualitative research. Students will be introduced to a wide range of qualitative data collection and analysis methods. They will learn how to organise, analyse, and write up qualitative research data. Throughout the course, we will take a hands-on approach to developing research skills and a critical evaluative perspective on the research process.
- Qualitative research paper analysis and critique (20%)
- A qualitative interview and thematic analysis (40%)
- Reflexive thematic analysis (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- GRF-FMH-GCE-2026 - Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health
Elective
- GRF-MCJ-GCE-2026 - Graduate Certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- GRF-MCJ-MAS-2026 - Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
GRF-MCCJ7037 (Not currently available)
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health
PostgraduateGRF-FMH-GCE
Graduate Certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice
PostgraduateGRF-MCJ-GCE
Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice
PostgraduateGRF-MCJ-MAS