Students
SOCI701 – Qualitative Methods: Issues and Practices
2014 – S1 Evening
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Tobia Fattore
Contact via tobia.fattore@mq.edu.au
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit explores the potentials and limits of qualitative methods in the social sciences. As well as exploring the theoretical issues of this approach, students will develop practical skills collecting, analysing and presenting data to address essential research questions. The unit adopts a hands-on approach to provide an opportunity to develop research skills and a critical perspective of the research process itself.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Students will understand the nature of qualitative research methodologies and methods and what makes them distinctive.
- Students will develop an understanding of which research problems are most suitable to the use of qualitative methodologies and demonstrate when qualitative methods are most appropriately used.
- Students will develop an appreciation of the ethical dimensions of research practice.
- Students will have first-hand experience in using a range of qualitative research methods, in particular the techniques of observation and in-depth interviewing.
- Students will develop an ability to apply the techniques of 'grounded theory' to analyse qualitative data.
- Students will develop a range of more 'generic skills' including being able to critically engage with texts; how to locate and retrieve information; concept development; collaboration within a group-work environment; and how to communicate ideas clearly through a variety of medium.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Research Proposal | 15% | April 4 ( End of Week 5) |
| Qualitative Research Essay | 30% | May 9 (End of Week 8) |
| Research Report | 45% | June 13 (End of Week 13) |
| Seminar Participation | 10% | Ongoing |
Research Proposal
Due: April 4 ( End of Week 5)
Weighting: 15%
Students will be required to undertake a research project involving qualitative methods for this unit.This project should relate to the research area they are investigating for their Masters of Research. As part of this process students will be required to submit a brief research proposal for their intended research. The proposal will outline the research question and summarise the intended research methods that will be used to address the question. Proposals will be assessed on whether the project is suitable for qualitative research, is feasible and uses the strengths of qualitative methods.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Students will develop an understanding of which research problems are most suitable to the use of qualitative methodologies and demonstrate when qualitative methods are most appropriately used.
- Students will develop an appreciation of the ethical dimensions of research practice.
- Students will have first-hand experience in using a range of qualitative research methods, in particular the techniques of observation and in-depth interviewing.
- Students will develop a range of more 'generic skills' including being able to critically engage with texts; how to locate and retrieve information; concept development; collaboration within a group-work environment; and how to communicate ideas clearly through a variety of medium.
Qualitative Research Essay
Due: May 9 (End of Week 8)
Weighting: 30%
Students will required to undertake a reseach essay examining the principles of qualitative research. The essay provides an oportunity for students to reflect on the philosophical foundations of qualitative research, the scientificity of qualitative research and for what types of research problems qualitative methods are most suitable. Students will be required to reflect on how a qualitative approach can inform their ongoing research agenda for their Masters of Research.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Students will understand the nature of qualitative research methodologies and methods and what makes them distinctive.
- Students will develop an appreciation of the ethical dimensions of research practice.
- Students will develop a range of more 'generic skills' including being able to critically engage with texts; how to locate and retrieve information; concept development; collaboration within a group-work environment; and how to communicate ideas clearly through a variety of medium.
Research Report
Due: June 13 (End of Week 13)
Weighting: 45%
Students will undertake a qualitative research project throughout the semester based on the research proposal submitted earlier in the semester. This assignment presents the results of these investigations. The research will involve data obtained through the use of at least two qualitative research methods. AS well as presenting the research question, study rational, research methodology and findings, the report will also provide a critical evaluation of the research experience.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Students will understand the nature of qualitative research methodologies and methods and what makes them distinctive.
- Students will develop an understanding of which research problems are most suitable to the use of qualitative methodologies and demonstrate when qualitative methods are most appropriately used.
- Students will develop an appreciation of the ethical dimensions of research practice.
- Students will have first-hand experience in using a range of qualitative research methods, in particular the techniques of observation and in-depth interviewing.
- Students will develop an ability to apply the techniques of 'grounded theory' to analyse qualitative data.
- Students will develop a range of more 'generic skills' including being able to critically engage with texts; how to locate and retrieve information; concept development; collaboration within a group-work environment; and how to communicate ideas clearly through a variety of medium.
Seminar Participation
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
Students will be assessed on their ongoing contributions to the seminars, based on the quality of the participation.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Students will understand the nature of qualitative research methodologies and methods and what makes them distinctive.
- Students will develop an understanding of which research problems are most suitable to the use of qualitative methodologies and demonstrate when qualitative methods are most appropriately used.
- Students will have first-hand experience in using a range of qualitative research methods, in particular the techniques of observation and in-depth interviewing.
- Students will develop an ability to apply the techniques of 'grounded theory' to analyse qualitative data.
- Students will develop a range of more 'generic skills' including being able to critically engage with texts; how to locate and retrieve information; concept development; collaboration within a group-work environment; and how to communicate ideas clearly through a variety of medium.
Delivery and Resources
The course is offered in a two-hour seminar format, comprising a lecture, group discussion and practice-basd workshop each week.
There are no required texts for this course. The readings for each week can be accessed from e-reserve.
However the following textbooks are recommended, that you may find useful for this course and as a resource for social research more generally.
- Maggie Walter (2009) Social Research Methods (Second Edition) Oxford University Press
- Alan Bryman (2012) Social Research Methods (Fourth Edition) Oxford University Press
Unit Schedule
| Week | Topic |
| Week 1 | Introduction to Qualitative Research |
| Week 2 | Is Qualitative Research a Science? |
| Week 3 | Designing Qualitative Research |
| Week 4 | Research Ethics and Politics |
| Week 5 | Different Approaches to Qualitative Observation |
| Week 6 | The Interview Technique |
| Week 7 | The Interview in Practice |
| Week 8 | Focus Groups |
| Week 9 | Content Analysis, Visual Techniques and Task-oriebted Methods |
| Week 10 | Introduction to Qualitative Analysis |
| Week 11 | Grounded Theory |
| Week 12 | Interrogating the Text |
| Week 13 | Writing and Wrapping Up |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
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