Course Objective
To introduce students to qualitative methods of
social science research.
Course Description/Content
The historical background of qualitative research, its
importance to third world countries like Kenya, and its current concerns.
Theoretical perspectives essential for understanding qualitative research
methods; symbolic interactionism, social change, social conflict, labelling,
dramaturgy, impression management, phenomenology, and ethnomethodology. The
nature of social reality and the use of sociological imagination in searching
for connections between its various aspects. The design and implementation of
naturalistic or inductive research including the use of techniques such as
participant observation, mining data from personal documents (e.g. letters,
diaries, autobiographies, etc.), and group interviews. Analysis and
presentation of qualitatively gathered data. Click for Full Course Outline
