Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences, 7.5 credits
Contents
The course is divided in three modules:
Module 1: Qualitative Methods – History and Paradigms, 1.5 ECTS credits
Module 2: Practices of Qualitative Research, 4,5 ECTS credits
Module 3: Elaboration of research paper, 1,5 ECTS credits
Module 1: Qualitative Methods – History and Paradigm
During the first part of the course the participants are introduced to the historical background
and recent developments within the broad field of qualitative research methods in the social
sciences. During this part the basis of methodology and epistemology are discussed, as well as overarching questions regarding research ethics, analysis of empirical material, portability and presentation of results.
Module 2: Practices of Qualitative Research
During the second part of the course focus will be on certain methodological specializations in
order to gain more in-depth understandings of different practices of qualitative research. These
specializations will depend on the participating lecturers who will represent different fields such
as for example etnography, narrative analysis, discourse analysis, grounded theory etc. Each specialization will
thus be presented by researchers who use them in their own work .
Module 3: Optional exercises and elaboration of research paper
The third part of the course is dedicated elaboration of an examination paper to be presented and discussed at the final seminar. Students will be required to reflect on methodological choices and/or to practice qualitative analyses in a written exercise related to one or more of the specializations that have been presented during the course.
Expected learning outcomes
To pass the course, the student should in respect of knowledge and understanding demonstrate:
- knowledge of the historical background and recent developments within the field of
qualitative research methods
- knowledge of methodological and epistemological assumptions of qualitative research
- be able to understand differences between major methodological traditions within
qualitative research
- knowledge of research ethics
To pass the course, the student should in respect of skills and ability be able to:
- apply the relevant terminology within qualitative research
- motivate and discuss the methodological choices in accordance with the appropriate methodological approaches
To pass the course, the student should in respect of assessment skills and approach be able to:
- independently evaluate different methodological approaches within qualitative
research
- independently review and assess the presentation of results in qualitative studies
- problematize the ethical dilemmas in qualitative research
Required Knowledge
Univ: Courses of the amount of 90 ECTS credits in Social Sciences (Business Administration 90 ECTS, Economics 90 ECTS, Economic History 90 ECTS, Pedagogy 90 ECTS, Gender Studies 90 ECTS, Human Geography 90 ECTS, Informatics 90 ECTS, Peace and Conflict Studies 90 ECTS, Political Science 90 ECTS, Psychology 90 ECTS, Social Administration 90 ECTS, Social Care 90 ECTS, Social Policy 90 ECTS, Social Work 90 ECTS, Sociology 90 ECTS), or equivalent eligibility.
Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A/5.
Form of instruction
The course content is delivered through lectures, seminars, and individual work. Compulsory attendence is required at the seminars. All lectures and seminars are held in English.
Examination modes
The examination includes active participation in seminars, implementation of assigned tasks for the seminars (individual or group) and an individual written examination paper. Seminar participation and implementation of assigned tasks for the seminars is assessed on whether they are Rejected or Approved. If a student misses mandatory seminars, or assigned tasks, completion of designated completing tasks requires. The individual examination paper is judged on it's Fail, Pass or Pass with Distinction. The examination paper forms the basis of the overall course grade. International students are assessed based on the ECTS scale.
The examination paper (5-10 pages) may either a) discuss and compare two or more of the different approaches presented during the course; b) describe and motivate the design of a qualitative research approach applied to the participant’s own research interest; or c) present and discuss one of the qualitative research approaches together with a practical exercise using the approach. More detailed information about the paper is provided at the introduction of the course.
Other regulations
Academic credit transfers are reviewed individually. For more information, please see the University’s set of rules and academic credit transfer regulations.
Literature
Qualitative research practice
: a guide for social science students and researchers
Ritchie Jane, Lewis Jane, McNaughton Nicholls Carol, Ormston Rachel
2. ed. :
xxiv, 430 pages :
ISBN: 9781446209110 (hbk.) :
Mandatory
Charmaz Kathy
Constructing grounded theory
2nd edition. :
Thousand Oaks, CA :
Sage Publications :
cop. 2014 :
xxi, 388 s. :
ISBN: 978-0-85702-913-3
Mandatory
Johansson Anna
Constituting "Real" Cutters
: A Discourse Theoretical Analysis of Self-harm and Identity
Included in:
Tracking discourses
Lund :
Nordic Academic Press :
2011 :
342 s. :
197-224 pages
Mandatory
Analyzing discourse
Potter J., Wetherell M.
Included in:
Analyzing Qualitative Data
Routledge :
1994 :
47-68 pages
Riessman Catherine Kohler
Narrative methods for the human sciences
London :
SAGE :
2008 :
x, 251 s.b ill. :
ISBN: 0-7619-2998-3 (pbk.)
Mandatory
Please note the course lecturers may also ask you to read additional literature.
Main Textbook
Qualitative research practice
: a guide for social science students and researchers
Ritchie Jane, Lewis Jane, McNaughton Nicholls Carol, Ormston Rachel
2. ed. :
xxiv, 430 pages :
ISBN: 9781446209110 (hbk.) :
Mandatory
Grounded Theory
Bryant A.
Grounded Theory and Pragmatism: The Curious Case of Anselm Strauss
Included in:
Forum, qualitative social research
Berlin :
K. Mruck :
10 :
Art. 2 pages
Mandatory
Charmaz Kathy
Constructing grounded theory
2nd edition. :
Thousand Oaks, CA :
Sage Publications :
cop. 2014 :
xxi, 388 s. :
ISBN: 978-0-85702-913-3
Mandatory
Charmaz Kathy
The Power and Potential of Grounded Theory
Medical Sociology Online :
2012 :
Mandatory
A Personal Experience of Working with Classical Grounded Theory
: From Beginner to Experienced Grounded Theorist
Giske Tove, Artinian Barbara
Included in:
International journal of qualitative methods
[Edmonton] :
International Institute for Qualitative Methodology :
6 :
67-80 pages
Mandatory
My place through my eyes
: A social constructionist approach to researching the relationships between socioeconomic living contexts and physical activity
Carroll Julie-Anne, Adkins Barbara, Foth Marcus, Parker Elizabeth, Jamali Soad
Included in:
International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being
Basingstoke :
Taylor & Francis :
2006- :
3 :
204-218 pages
Mandatory
Thematic Analysis
Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology
Braun V., Clarke V.
Included in:
Qualitative research in psychology
Colchester :
Taylor & Francis Group :
2004- :
3 :
77-101 pages
Mandatory
Thematic Analysis
Braun Virginia, Clarke Victoria
Included in:
APA handbook of research methods in psychology
Washington :
American Psychological Association :
2012 :
Onlineresurs (701 s.) :
57-71 pages
Mandatory
Clothing and Embodiment
: Men Managing Body Image and Appearance
Frith Hannah, Gleeson Kate
Included in:
Psychology of men & masculinity [Elektronisk resurs].
Washington :
American Psychological Association :
2000- :
5 :
40-48 pages
Mandatory
Mental health and individual experience of unemployed young adults in Japan
Kito Aiko, Ueno Takeji
Included in:
Industrial health [Elektronisk resurs].
[Kawasaki, Japan] :
National Institute of Industrial Health. :
54 :
20-31 pages
Mandatory
Narrative Analysis
Pointdexter Cynthia Cannon
Meaning from Methods: Re-presenting Narratives of an HIV-affected Caregiver
Included in:
Qualitative social work
London :
Sage :
2002- :
59-78 pages
Mandatory
Riessman Catherine Kohler
Narrative methods for the human sciences
London :
SAGE :
2008 :
x, 251 s.b ill. :
ISBN: 0-7619-2998-3 (pbk.)
Mandatory
Additional literature will be recommended for this part of the course.
Discourse Analysis
Fairclough N.
Critical Discourse Analysis as a Method in Social Scientific Research
Included in:
Methods of critical discourse analysis
London :
SAGE :
2001. :
viii, 200 p. :
Mandatory
Howarth David
Applying Discourse Theory: the Method of Articulation
Included in:
Discourse theory in European politics
Basingstoke :
Palgrave Macmillan :
2005 :
xvii, 364 s. :
316-349 pages
Mandatory
Johansson Anna
Constituting "Real" Cutters
: A Discourse Theoretical Analysis of Self-harm and Identity
Included in:
Tracking discourses
Lund :
Nordic Academic Press :
2011 :
342 s. :
197-224 pages
Mandatory
Analyzing discourse
Potter J., Wetherell M.
Included in:
Analyzing Qualitative Data
Routledge :
1994 :
47-68 pages
Mandatory
Van Dijk T. A.
Principles of critical discourse analysis
Included in:
Discourse & society.
London :
SAGE :
1990- :
4 :
249-283 pages
Mandatory
Please note the course lecturers may also ask you to read additional literature.