Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Qualitative Research Methods
Course Code
KF_014
Branch of Science
Sociology and social work
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Communication Science; Information and Communication Science; Management Science; Sociology
LQF
Level 8
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Ritma Rungule
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To acquire qualitative research methods of data collection and analysis with particular attention being paid to the biographical approach.
Preliminary Knowledge
Quantitative Research Methods.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Students have in-depth knowledge of qualitative methodology in social research; logical structure and design of the qualitative research; know the principles of qualitative research methods and the latest trends and specifics of the biographical approach.
Skills
1.Students are able to adequately select and apply qualitative research methods while independently conducting social research. Students will have improved their critical thinking and information gathering skills; will have improved their individual work and group work skills.
Competences
1.Students are able to independently carry out qualitative research in compliance with the terms of qualitative methodology.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
-
|
|
Discussion and evaluation of independently conducted interviews and focus group discussions and their transcripts during practical classes. Students independently develop draft research related to the topic of their doctoral thesis. A written test is used to assess the knowledge of methodology.
|
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
-
|
|
Quality of the developed practical work (70%), test results (30%).
|
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The main theoretical sources of the qualitative approach: phenomenological sociology, symbolic interactionism, M. Weber’s understanding sociology. Types of qualitative research: narrative research, phenomenological research, ethnographic research, grounded theory, case study.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Characteristic features and stages of qualitative research. Research ethics.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Development and discussion of draft qualitative research.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Data obtaining methods: in-depth interviews as a particularity of the qualitative method. Stages and procedure of an in-depth interview. Analysis of in-depth interviews and the report on in-depth interview study.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Focus groups as a qualitative research method. Characteristic features of the method. Planning of focus groups and their use. Conducting a focus group, the role of a moderator, the group operating principles. Focus group data analysis. Advantages and disadvantages of the method.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Specifics of qualitative research data analysis. Data analysis. Presentation and publication of the research outcomes.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Specifics of qualitative research data analysis. Data analysis. Presentation and publication of the research outcomes.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Use of qualitative research methods for development of doctoral thesis.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Development and discussion of draft qualitative research.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Specifics of qualitative research data analysis. Data analysis. Presentation and publication of the research outcomes.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Specifics of qualitative research data analysis. Data analysis. Presentation and publication of the research outcomes.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Use of qualitative research methods for development of doctoral thesis.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
12 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Charmaz K. Constructing Grounded Theory. A Practical Guide Through Qualitative Analysis. SAGE Publications, 2006.
2.
Creswell John W., Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design. Choosing among Five Approaches, 2nd edition, SAGE Publications, 2007.
3.
Flick U. An Introduction to Qualitative Research. SAGE Publications, 2018
4.
Glaser B.G., Strauss A. The Discovery of Grounded Theory. Aldine De Gruynter, 1967.
5.
Kvale S. Interviews. An introduction to Oualitative Research Interviewing. SAGE Publications, 1996
6.
Mārtinsone K., Pipere A., Kamerāde D. Pētniecība: teorija un prakse. RaKa, 2016
7.
Miller. R.L. Researching Life Stories and Family Histories. GB: SAGE Publications, 2000
8.
Ragin Ch.C. Constructing Social Research. Pine Forge Press, 1994
9.
Roberts. B. Biographical Research. GB: Open University Press, 2000
10.
Silverman D. Interpreting Qualitative Data. SAGE Publications. 1993
Additional Reading
1.
Kroplijs A., Raščevska M. Kvalitatīvās pētniecības metodes sociālajās zinātnēs. Raka, 2004.
2.
Ievads pētniecībā: stratēģijas, dizaini, metodes. Raka, 2011.
Other Information Sources
1.
Qualitative Research, Qualitative Inquiry