Qualitative research methods
Course description
The course aims at enabling students to develop skills in carrying out and writing up, both bibliographical research and also small-scale empirical research following ‘qualitative’ methodological approaches. The course contents include: Philosophical and epistemological perspectives in qualitative research methodology, literature review, qualitative research methods and approaches (phenomenological methods, thematic analysis, ethnography, grounded theory, action research, discourse and conversation analysis, narrative analysis, visual methods, art-based research, post-qualitative/post-humanist inquiry), qualitative data collection methods (observation, interviewing, focus groups), qualitative data analysis methods, literature review and research report writing, quality criteria for qualitative research methods-Reflexivity.
Learning outcomes: During the course students are expected to:
- Understand the diverse philosophical and epistemological premises of ‘qualitative’ research
- Become familiar with the various ‘qualitative’ research methods
- Become familiar with the ‘qualitative’ research design (framing of research questions, qualitative data collection and analysis)
- Be able to design, carry out and write up a small-scale research (bibliographical or empirical of ‘qualitative’ methodology)
Assessment methods
Research report paper of the qualitative study conducted by students in small groups (50%), oral exams and paper presentation on an individual basis at the end of the semester (50%).
Teaching methods
Lectures and workshops of research projects supervision. As a course requirement, the students must design and conduct a small-scale ‘qualitative’ research study in small groups. Each week, following the attendance of lectures, they are supervised on every stage of the process of conducting their research in the context of one-hour workshops.
Course detailed description and course material available at: https://eclass.uth.gr
