Module Code - Title:

SO4037 - QUALITATIVE METHODS FOR SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

0

Tutorial

1

Other

0

Private

7

Credits

6

Grading Type:

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

The aim of the module is to provide students with an understanding of the development of the field of qualitative research and to introduce students to the central methods and approaches that fall under the category of qualitative research. Furthermore students will be provided with guidelines governing research that is grounded in the assumptions of qualitative methodology.

Syllabus:

What is qualitative research? What are the different paradigms, which fall within the parameters of qualitative research? The history of qualitative research. Approaching research from a qualitative perspective, generating ideas, defining cases, analysis and interpretation. Doing interviews and conducting observation studies.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

Define what constitutes qualitative research, understand the history and tradition of qualitative research methods Gain a familiarity with the basic assumptions that characterise core qualitative research approaches and their epistemology, their methodological focus Develop a sound qualitative research question Understand the key methods of collecting qualitative data, entering the field Conduct an in-depth interview, transcribe and analyse its key themes Understand the process of analysis and interpretation

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

Demonstrate an awareness of the necessity to engage in research that is ethical.

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

Agresti, A. and B. Finlay (2008) Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences , New Jersey: Pearson Education

Fielding, J. and N. Gilbert (2006) Understanding Social Statistics , London: Sage De Vaus, D. A (1996) , Surveys in Social Research , London: UCL Press

Other Relevant Texts:

Bryman, A (2008) Social Research Methods , Oxford: Oxford University Press

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Module Leader:

Mary.ODonoghue@ul.ie