Qualitative Methods in Political Research

2018/2019

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

4

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Course type:

Compulsory course

When:

2 year, 1, 2 module

Instructors

Kuleva, Margarita

Maiboroda, Alina

Sablina, Anastasia

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course is aimed to provide an overview of basic methods and techniques related to qualitative sociological research, regarding both data collection and analysis. The course gives to the students skills and confidence to apply all the studied methods practically and conduct their own research based on their academic interests.

Learning Objectives

• The objective is to provide an overview of basic methods related to qualitative sociological research

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Student is capable of choosing research methods appropriate for resolving the professional tasks.
• student is able to work in team
• Student is capable of retrieving, collecting, processing and analyzing information relevant for achieving goals in the professional field.
• Able to do research, including the problem analysis, setting goals and objectives, defining the research subject, selecting research methods including its quality control
• Able to think critically and interpret the experience (personal and of other persons), relate to professional and social activities

Course Contents

• Introduction to Qualitative Methodology
  Cartesian doubt, Positivism and Interpretivism, Qualitative and Quantitative research, and Mixed Method Design.
• Observation and (Self) Ethnography
  Researcher neutrality, interview data as topic/resource, how to develop a research guide, and common mistakes
• Interview
  Structured, semi-structured and narrative interviews.
• Focus-Groups
  Focus Groups – when and where; the selection process.
• Visual methods
  Visual ethnography – when, and why, it should be used.
• Digital Ethnography
  Photography, motion pictures, hypermedia, the web, interactive CDs, CD–ROMs, and virtual reality
• Mental mapping
  Kevin Lynch and the five elements.
• Planning a qualitative project
  Focus Groups – when and where; the selection process.
• Qualitative analysis – 1
  Theoretical, purposive, accidental, quota, snowball and systematic matching sampling; research ethics.
• Qualitative analysis – 2
  Grounded Theory, Codes and Categories
• How to present qualitative data
  Structures of presentation, key principles of research dissemination.

Assessment Elements

• In-class Participation
• Written Assignment
• Exam (an essay)

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (2 module)
  The cumulative grade (GC) is calculated as an average, based on the following equation: GC = Оhw1*0.15+ Оhw2*0.15+ Оhw3*0.25+ Оhw4 *0.15+ Оhw5*0.15+ Оhw6*0.15 where HW1,2,4,5,6 – group home assignments HW3 – individual take home assignment • The final grade (GF) is calculated as follows: • GF = 0,6·GC + 0,4·GEX , where • GEX – grade for the final examination

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Leavy, P. (2014). The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Research. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=779511
• Taylor, S. J., DeVault, M. L., & Bogdan, R. (2016). Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods : A Guidebook and Resource (Vol. 4th edition). Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1061324

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Brinkmann, S. (2013). Qualitative Interviewing. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=603936