This course deals with qualitative social science research design and data collection. Students learn about and practice key qualitative methods while gaining exposure to how diverse theoretical lenses make use of these methods.

Contents:

Students learn about & practice key qualitative methods while gaining exposure to how diverse theoretical lenses make use of these methods. The course covers: interpretation, representation, comparison & validity; reflexivity & positionality, power relations & ethics; interviews & focus groups; (auto)ethnography & participant observation; revisiting ontology with actor-network approaches; techniques for capturing discourses; techniques for identifying proxies & using secondary sources; visual research methods.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

• assess the analytical value of different types of methods relative to the student’s own research questions and theoretical framework;
• identify different types of methods’ particular logistical requirements and challenges;
• anticipate ethical issues posed by the use of specific research methods;
• design a data collection methods strategy aligned with the student’s own research questions and theoretical framework.

Former occurrences of this course

• 6-30 January 2020
• 7-31 January 2019
• 8 January - 16 February 2018