Qualitative Methods
Study Board of Political Science, Journalism, Sociology, and European Studies
Teaching language: English
EKA: B340031302
Censorship: Second examiner: None
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Esbjerg
Offered in: Summer school (spring)
Level: Bachelor
Course ID: B340031301
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 17-09-2019
Duration: Intensive course
Course ID
Course Title
Teaching language
ECTS value
Responsible study board
Date of Approval
Course Responsible
Offered in
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Offered in
Duration
Mandatory prerequisites
Recommended prerequisites
Aim and purpose
The objective of this course is to give the student a thorough introduction to the use of qualitative methods in sociological research. Emphasis will be on the acquisition of skills in using concrete methods (individual interviews, focus group interviews, observation) and on data analysis.
The course provides the prerequisites for Advanced Qualitative Methods.
Content
The following topics are addressed in order to achieve the objectives of the course:
- Research design
- Framing a research question
- Sampling
- Validity in qualitative research
- Individual interviews
- Focus group interviews
- Participant observation
- Data analysis
- Coding and grounded theory
- The use of computer programs for the handling of qualitative data.
Learning goals
Description of outcome - Knowledge
- Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of qualitative methods for data collection and of their applicability in empirical research
- Demonstrate knowledge of different approaches to data analysis
Description of outcome - Skills
- Demonstrate skills in applying different qualitative methods
- Demonstrate skills in analyzing data, drawing on different approaches
Description of outcome - Competences
- Demonstrate competencies in framing a research project that should shed light on a particular empirical problem through the use of qualitative methods
Literature
Richard Krueger and Mary Anne Casey. Focus Groups. A practical guide for applied research 4th edition. Sage 2009
A reading list will be made available on Blackboard no later than two weeks before the course starts.
Total amount of pages to be read: approximately 600-700.
Teaching Method
5 x 4 hours in week ?? in August 2020 (exact time will be informed in April 2020)
As the course will be quite intensive, students are strongly adviced to have read some of the literature before hand.
Workload
The course amounts to 5 ECTS. 1 ECTS equals 27 student working hours. The course will be estimated to require an effort of 135 hours distributed as follows:
- Reading the literature (80 hours)
- Lectures (20 hours)
- Exam (35 hours)
Examination regulations
Exam
Name
Exam
Timing
The student will automatically be enrolled for exam in August 2020 right after the time of the scheduled classes. It will not be possible to unregister from the exam. If the student does not participate in the exam, it will cost an examination attempt.
If the ordinary exam is failed, the student will automatically be enrolled for the reexamination later in August (week ??) 2020.
The time of reexamination will be announced later, and the exact date will be informed after the ordinary exam.
Examination form at the reexam can be changed.
Examination form at the reexam can be changed.
There are two exam attempts: Ordinary exam and the reexam in the same month.
Tests
Exam
Name
Exam
Form of examination
Take-home assignment
Censorship
Second examiner: None
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card - Exam number
Language
English
Duration
72 hours according to the examplan.
Length
Length of the individual assignment: 7-12 pages (2400 signs per page, incl. spaces). The number of pages does not include front page, table of contents, references and appendices. A figure or table counts for 400 signs.
Examination aids
Internet access is necessary.
Assignment handover
Will be handed out in the course in Blackboard.
Assignment handin
Via SDU Assignment in Blackboard. Handwritten enclosures cannot be submitted as part of the examination paper.
ECTS value
5
Additional information
The examination consists of a take home written assignment. The student has 72 hours to write an individual essay.
EKA
B340031302
External comment
NOTE - This course is identical with the former course 8416101 Qualitative Methods.
Used examination attempts in the former identical course will be transferred.
Courses that are identical with former courses that are passed according to applied rules cannot be retaken.
The student is automatically registered for the first examination attempt when the student is registered for a course or course element with which one or more examinations are associated. Withdrawal of registration is not possible, and students who fail to participate in an examination have used one examination attempt, unless the University has made an exemption due to special circumstances.