Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Qualitative Research Methods
Course Code
KSK_140
Branch of Science
Media and communications
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Communication Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Kristīne Rolle
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To familiarise students with the main qualitative research methods, to get understanding of qualitative methods and their most significant differences from quantitative methods. The course shapes understanding of the qualitative research process and its stages, main qualitative research methods, as well as the collection of data and their analysis in a qualitative research.
Preliminary Knowledge
The study course “Social Research Methods” has been mastered.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Knowledge about the scientific approach and goals of science in social sciences; qualitative methodology in social science research; the structure and design of qualitative research; on qualitative research data acquisition and analysis methods.
Skills
1.Students are able to identify and use in practice the most important theories, concepts, data acquisition and analysis methods; to choose methods appropriate for the research goal and tasks; to develop a research proposal.
Competences
1.Students are able to perform a qualitative research in accordance with conditions of qualitative methodology.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
-
|
|
During the course, students work in groups to carry out a small-scale qualitative research project - conduct interviews and focus group discussions, and process, code, and interpret the empirical data collected. Participation in practical seminars is mandatory (students who miss two or more practical seminars are required to take an examination. Students who miss eight or more classes in total, incl. lectures and seminars, are required to retake the course in the following academic year). To evaluate the quality of the study course, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal. |
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Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
10 points
|
|
Practical assignments (Research Project Development Journal) – 65%; Research Scientific Poster – 30%; Peer Review – 5% |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The Qualitative Approach in the Social Sciences: Foundations, Paradigms, and Core Elements of Qualitative Research
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Qualitative Research Design and Stages of the Research Process: Participant Selection, Ethics, and Data Management
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Development and discussion of a qualitative research project.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Data collection methods: In-depth Interview and Focusgroup.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Data Collection Methods: Participant Observation and Digital Ethnography
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Data Collection Methods: Mapping, Creative Visual Methods, and Participatory Data Collection Methods
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Discussion of Students’ Research Methodology and Data Collection Plans.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Qualitative Data Preparation and Initial Analysis.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Discussion of the Empirical Data Collected.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Data Coding.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Research Quality, Reflexivity, and Limitations.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Discussion of Qualitative Data Analysis Results.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Presenting Qualitative Research Findings and Research Communication.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Presentation of the Scientific Poster for the Course Research Project.
|
-
Test
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
30 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The Qualitative Approach in the Social Sciences: Foundations, Paradigms, and Core Elements of Qualitative Research
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Qualitative Research Design and Stages of the Research Process: Participant Selection, Ethics, and Data Management
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Data collection methods: In-depth Interview and Focusgroup.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Data Collection Methods: Participant Observation and Digital Ethnography
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Data Collection Methods: Mapping, Creative Visual Methods, and Participatory Data Collection Methods
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Discussion of Students’ Research Methodology and Data Collection Plans.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Discussion of the Empirical Data Collected.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Harding, J. 2019. Qualitative Data Analysis. From Start to Finish. 2nd ed. SAGE Publications.
2.
Mārtinsone K., Pipere A. 2021. Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte
3.
Raksti un grāmatas no Sage Research Methods datubāzē
4.
Adu, Ph. 2019. A Step-by-Step Guide to Qualitative Data Coding
Additional Reading
1.
Bogdan R., Taylor S. 1984. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods. New York: Wiley&Sons.
2.
Briggs. C.L. 1986. Learning how to ask. A sociolinguistic appraisal of the role of the interview in social science research. Cambridge University Press.
3.
Creswell John W. 2007. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design. Choosing among Five Approaches. 2nd ed., SAGE Publications.
4.
Flick U. 2014. An Introduction to Qualitative Research, SAGE Publications.
5.
Glaser B.G., Strauss A. 1967. The Discovery of Grounded Theory. Strategies for Qualitative Research. New Brunswick; London: Aldine Transaction.
6.
Kroplijs A., Raščevska M. 2004. Kvalitatīvās pētniecības metodes sociālajās zinātnēs. Rīga: Raka.
7.
Kvale S. 1996. Interviews. An introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing. SAGE Publications.
8.
Mārtinsone K., Pipere A. 2011. Ievads pētniecībā: stratēģijas, dizaini, metodes. Rīga: Raka.
9.
Ragin Ch.C. 1994. Constructing Social Research. California: Pine Forge Press.
10.
Roberts. B. 2000. Biographical Research. Buckingham: Open University Press.
11.
Silverman D. 2014. Interpreting Qualitative Data. SAGE Publications.
12.
Skultāne V. Š. 2005. The testimony of lives: narrative and memory in post-Soviet Latvia. London; New York: Routledge.