Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 3,000 word qualitative essay. A critical evaluation of the methods used to undertake a research project of your choice, using at least two qualitative techniques, justifying choice of methods and explain how these methods can be combined. | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | 3,000 word Text Analysis based on an historical or contemporary text. | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Qualitative essay - resubmission of failed components using a different set of data from original submission | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Text analysis - resubmission of failed components using a different set of data from original submission | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
- An ability to apply a variety of different social science methods to their research project.
- An awareness of mixed method approaches.
- An understanding of the different data generating processes.
- An understanding of the epistemological and methodological difficulties associated with different techniques.
- An ability to use computer software associated with the analysis of qualitative data.
- An awareness of the ethical issues surrounding data collection and analysis.
Brief description
This module is designed to be an integral component of the new RT masters courses which the University has introduced. Through this module Masters and PhD students will gain a broad knowledge of a range of methodological and analytical skills which they can apply in a variety of research contexts.
Aims
This module aims to give students a broad knowledge of a range of methodological and analytical skills, which they can apply in a variety of research contexts. The course is designed to give students a grounding in the basic principles of qualitative research methodology. It will provide students with an introduction to the major methods of qualitative data collection and analysis, how qualitative data are actively constructed and interpreted by the researcher, and an appreciation of the practical and epistemological concerns raised by qualitative data collection. This will include a consideration of interviewing techniques and qualitative data analysis.
Content
- Combining methods
- Data sources and context
- Internet data collection
- Survey design and interviewing
- Questionnaire design
- The nature and use of qualitative data
- Focus groups
- Participant observation
- Semi-structured interviewing
- Archival and documentary analysis
- Content and discourse analysis
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7