Qualitative Methods

Course Catalog Description

Course designed to introduce students to a gamut of qualitative research methods useful inside and outside academia for obtaining empirically substantiated results as well as deepening understanding for published research. Curriculum also focuses on epistemology (theories of knowledge).

Course Overview

Qualitative methods allow scholars and researchers to explore the varied experiences people have of being and being in society, e.g., work, play, education, communication, contention, resolution, belief, family, community, citizenship, gender, class, age, and many more. This course will introduce students to sound methods for obtaining empirical data, analysis techniques for interpreting the data, and writing processes for sharing the results.

The final project is a small project (i.e., interview two people instead of 24) allowing the student to follow through all all major steps of a qualitative research endeavor of their choice: research proposal, literature review, concept identification, research question formulation, theory identification, carry out method, conduct analysis, write paper, and present research.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students will finish class with a cursory knowledge of many qualitative research methods and an experience of following through on at least one method. This prepares students to carry out a full-sized qualitative study using the method most appropriate to answer future research questions.

    • Epistemology

    • Reflexivity

    • Text analysis

    • Discourse analysis

    • ATLAS.ti

    • Visual analysis

    • Ethnography

    • Auto-ethnography

    • Interview

    • Multi-method

    • Mixed method

    • Focus group

    • Analysis

    • Results

    • Discussion