SY2005 - Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is a process of data generation through innovate methods and combinations such as interviews, ethnography, focus groups, participatory action research and, photovoice. More recently, unobtrusive data gathered through the Internet as well as social media is being used by social researchers to explore innovative research questions, problems and solutions. Also, the subject examines how data is organised and coded, sometimes through computer software programs, and disseminated through the traditional written word, and, how social researchers are now combining indigenous and digital forms of storytelling to give voice to marginalised and dispossessed groups. Qualitative research also considers how decolonizing methods can also play a central part in understanding how social groups engage with, reject, and modify imposed representations by dominant cultures.

Learning Outcomes

• critically discuss the theoretical, political and ethical issues associated with social scientific research;
• demonstrate knowledge about the requirements, conditions and issues associated with the implementation and management of a research project;
• analyse a social setting through the application of qualitative data collection techniques;
• identify appropriate research strategies for recording, analysing and managing data.

Subject Assessment

• assignments (50%)
• unobtrusive observation exercise (30%)
• participation (20%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.