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This course gives students both theoretical tools and practical experience in the design and implementation of qualitative research. Students will learn how to describe, apply and critique strategies for qualitative data collection and data analysis. Students will identify and discuss ethical issues in qualitative research, including suggestions for researching ethically throughout the process of data collection, analysis and reporting. The course prepares students to write the methodology (and methods) section of a research proposal suitable for a thesis. This course is offered alternate years (odd years).
Why learn about qualitative research? When we study people qualitatively, we come to understand the ways they think about and make sense of their worlds. To do this, we look at people holistically, observing them in their daily lives and listening to them talk (Taylor, Bogdan & DeVault, 2016). In this course students learn about the theories that inform qualitative research. Students will explore qualitative research methods and ethics, alongside tools for data collection. Direct, practical experience of observation, interviewing and data analysis are key features of the course. Building on these experiences, students will prepare a research proposal in the context of a topic that is of interest to them. Student comments "I loved the practical component and gaining experience from ‘doing’." "I really enjoyed the opportunities to carry out observations and make field notes and also interview a classmate and transcribe the interview. Both were challenging but enjoyable tasks." "Teaching and support from the lecturers has been outstanding."
By the end of this course students will: 1. comprehend the nature, role and characteristics of qualitative research methodology as a means of developing an understanding of social phenomena in their field of interest;2. describe some of the key debates in qualitative research;3. articulate ethical principles and procedures and apply these in qualitative research design; 4. describe, perform and critique techniques for qualitative data collection and analysis in an interpretivist paradigm, including participant observation, qualitative interviewing and the analytical memo;5. understand and apply strategies for justifying, planning, describing and reporting qualitative data collection and analysis; 6. formulate a qualitative research proposal.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Subject to the approval of the Head of School
EDUC459, EDUC659, EDTL801
Nicola Surtees
Andrea Delaune
Domestic fee $952.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Educational Studies and Leadership .