SOC40330 Workshop in Qualitative Research

Academic Year 2023/2024

This introductory module aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out a qualitative research project. An understanding of qualitative research as a systematic and rigorous form of inquiry underpins the course. Topics covered will include the main characteristics of qualitative research, qualitative research design, ethics; interviewing, observation, working with documents and media texts, analysing qualitative data and writing up qualitative findings. Over the semester students will carry out a research exercises and will have opportunities for hands-on experience.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Show an understanding of the principles that underpin qualitative research and the main methods used to generate qualitative data;
2. Develop clear and answerable research questions;
3. Understand the principles of qualitative research design;
4. Demonstrate a capacity to identify appropriate methodologies and analytic approaches for different research contexts/ questions;
5. Develop a research proposal;
6. Use the relevant methodological literature;
7. Critically appraise research instruments and fieldwork plans.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to qualitative research; literature/ theory in qualitative research; research design; ethics; interviewing; observation; working with documents and media texts; analyzing qualitative data; writing up qualitative findings

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22

Specified Learning Activities

88

Autonomous Student Learning

140

Total

250

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Some weeks there will be a flipped classroom with videos posted in advance for students to watch before class;
Participatory workshops;
In class research exercises;
Active discussion of course readings;
Reflection on workshop exercises.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Leading in-class discussion of module reading; you will choose your reading/ week in week 1 Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20

Portfolio: Portfolio of research tasks. A minimum of 4 must be completed Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

10

Project: Research proposal Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

70


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback is given on all continuous assessment work via Brightspace, usually within 7 days of submission.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
     
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 33 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 32 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
Spring