SS5099 - Qualitative Social Research (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Qualitative Social Research | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
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| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module will analyse the use and challenges of qualitative research in sociology. It will start with the wide exploration of the theoretical underpinnings of qualitative research, including its strengths and limitations, as well as the various qualitative research methods. Further, this module will analyse the main skill set essential for a qualitative researcher, as well as the potential difficulties that might occur, i.e. bias. The last part of this module will look at NVivo, the practical tool for qualitative data analysis.
Prior learning requirements
None. Available for Study Abroad? YES
Syllabus
This module will focus on the following key subjects:
• The use of qualitative research in sociology
• The role of theory in qualitative research
• Reliability, validity and reflexivity in qualitative research
• Introduction to NVivo
• Different ways of interpreting qualitative research
• Using NVivo for qualitative data analysis
• Interpreting results of analysis and writing a research report
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Each teaching session runs through three hours long workshop in a computer lab. Tutorial support is offered throughout the module by way of tutor availability during office hours, discussions and email. In workshops students will be actively engaged in practical activities related to qualitative data analysis with support from their tutor.
This module will be supported with relevant WebLearn pages where all lecture and workshop notes, relevant literature, NVivo manuals, and other sources will be available. All sessions will be recorded with Panopto and will be always available to students.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module students will:
1. Develop an informed grasp of the strengths and limitations of qualitative research
2. Be able to identify and consider the ethical concerns associated with qualitative research
3. Develop their skill in conducting qualitative interviews
4. Develop their ability to analyse qualitative data, using NVivo
5. Develop their skill in writing reports based on qualitative data analysis