COURSE OBJECTIVE:
To highlight the value-adding proposition of qualitative methods in social science research.
COURSE DESCRIPTION/CONTENT:
The subject-matter and historical context of qualitative research methods (QRM). The importance of qualitative methods to knowledge-generation, and understanding of the workings of diverse social forces operating in 21st century society. A selection of theoretical/methodological perspectives and debates integral to doing qualitative research, such as: ‘big data’ analytics, chronology v. dialectics, deductive-inductive-abductive reasoning, ethnomethodology, grounded theory, naturalistic observation v. participant observation, phenomenology, ontology, “rules of sociological method” and symbolic interactionism. Design, classification, and implementation of selected methods of data collection, which include: case study, comparative method, ethnography, predictive analytics, and triangulation. Qualitative data analysis methods or techniques – including comparative analysis, content analysis, hermeneutics, SWOT analysis, systematic review, and thick description – and criteria for matching them with the stated research needs and goals. Elements of proposal writing. All of these should yield insights into the systematic analysis, synthesis and reporting of actual research data. 1 Unit.Click Here For the Complete Course Outline and Reading List
