SIW4220 Qualitative Methods and Research Design Emneplan

This course will use a collaborative and portfolio method to provide you with an overview over qualitative research tools and analysis. We give particular attention to methodological reflection, comparative analysis and the links between research questions and research design.

We will go through the main steps of the qualitative research process, and reflect on the process of carrying out these steps, in order to understand the strengths and limitations of various designs.

None.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• thorough knowledge of the research process 
• advanced knowledge of qualitative research designs: their appropriate use as well as strengths and limitations
• advanced conceptual tools to be applied in discussing, evaluating, and exploring social phenomena.

Skills

The student can

• relate research processes to scientific theory and ethical principles
• apply research methods in a reflective manner and appropriately choose methods that are relevant for different kinds of research questions
• use relevant methods for producing, analysing and interpreting diverse types of empirical data (e.g. interviews, case-studies and visual data)
• evaluate research based on qualitative methodologies in terms of methodological quality and appropriateness

General competence

The student

• has knowledge of general research ethics
• has the ability to reflect critically on the ethical dimensions of data collection, analysis and presentation of data
• has the ability to think critically concerning the development, design and execution of research

The course consists of lectures and study groups.

For every lecture, there are seminars where study groups work with practical exercises and have group discussions. These seminars will be supervised on demand. Groups will complete practical exercises in each seminar, which will be collected in a "group portfolio". Portfolio work will receive feedback from the instructor and from peers at specified times throughout the semester.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Student must participate in at least four of the seminar exercises.
• An oral presentation, presented by the group, as well as peer feedback to another group's work. The presentation can be anything from a presentation of results from that group's work, to presenting the most interesting group discussion or reflection on course related topics.  

Attendance during the group presentation is mandatory, and presentations and feedback must be approved by the course lecturer. Students who are not present or that have not provided input to the group or have not participated in providing feedback to a peer group, and presentations that are not approved, will have to submit an alternative qualification to be able to sit for the examination.   

Lack of an approved course work requirement will disqualify the student from taking part in the final examination.

The exam in the course is a semester course paper. The exam paper must have a scope of 10 pages (+/- 10 per cent). Font and font size: Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5.

The student will work with the course paper through work on and reflections about the practical exercises through the semester until delivery. The paper’s theme is defined or approved by the course leader.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with. 

Grade scale A-F. 

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner. 

At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers.

Erika Gubrium