How to Social Science 201 pt. 2 Qualitative Research Design

Qualitative Political Analysis

This course introduces students to the philosophies of science and the social sciences, epistemology, issues of research design, the operationalisation of research questions and a range of qualitative techniques. The course introduces qualitative techniques and the epistemological issues surrounding them. The course aims to teach students research methods, which will prepare them to undertake further independent research in the political and social sciences. It covers traditional philosophical and ethical issues at the heart of political and social research, as well as a range of qualitative approaches and techniques, including ethnography, discourse analysis, focus groups and interviewing.

By the end of the course students should be aware of a wide range of research resources and be able to perform qualitative analyses in a variety of situations in an intelligent and thoughtful manner. Students will become familiar with collating and interpreting qualitative data. As well as running simulating focus groups, interviews and they will write a project based upon their results. In addition, students should have an understanding of the philosophical and ethical issues at the heart of political and social research, as well as a conception of some possible solutions to problems posed by such considerations.

On successful completion of this module a student will be expected to:
• be aware of a wide range of research resources available to social scientists;
• be able to perform qualitative analyses in a variety of settings in an intelligent and thoughtful manner;
• have an understanding of the philosophical, ethical and legal issues at the heart of political and social research, as well as a conception of some possible solutions to such problems.
• be cognizant of debates surrounding the application of quantitative and qualitative methods.
• be apply to pick and apply research techniques that are suitable for the analysis of their own research problems.

Discussion question: What are the key components of a good research design?

* Silverman,D. (2001). Interpreting qualitative data: methods for analyzing talk, text and interaction. London: Sage. Chapters 1 & 8.
Mason, J. (1996). Qualitative Researching. London Thousand Oaks, CA; Sage. Chapter 2.

*King, G., Keohane, R. & Verba, S. (1995). Designing Social Inquiry. NJ: Princeton University Press.

Denzin, N. & Lincoln, Y. (1998). Strategies of Qualitative Inquiry. London: Sage. Chapter 2.

Bryman, A. (2001) Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Ch 2.

Kirk, J. (1986). Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research. Beverly Hills London: Sage.

Berg, B. (2001). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences. Boston London : Allyn and Bacon. Chapter 2.

Holliday, A. (2002). Doing and Writing Qualitative Research. London: Sage. Chapters 2 and 3.

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