Module Code - Title:
SO5031
-
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS 1
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
Qualitative Research Methods 1 is designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to qualitative research. Initially, students will receive a grounding in the origins of qualitative research including its ontological and epistemological foundations. The major traditions of inquiry and critical theoretical issues such as trustworthiness, credibility, generalisability and reflexivity, central to the conduct of quality research, will be investigated. A strong emphasis will be placed on the acquisition of practical experience of the research process, including professional research skills and techniques of computer aided data analysis.
Syllabus:
An introduction to the qualitative paradigm;
Ethics
Designing and informing a qualitative study
Access and Sampling
Verbal Data
Observation and Ethnography
Secondary Data Documenting,
Coding and Categorising Data
Comparing approaches to inquiry
Quality in qualitative research
Writing qualitative research
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Conduct a qualitative interview.
Appraise a qualitative interview.
Analyse qualitative data.
Compile the results of a thematic analysis.
Demonstrate awareness of strategies to enhance the positive contributions, personal and social, of empirical qualitative research
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an awareness of the role and value of qualitative methods and research in everyday life
Demonstrate an appreciation of the ethical issues around doing qualitative research on social issues
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module will be taught through a combination of lecturers, tutorials and self directed learning.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Creswell, J.W. (2007)
Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 2nd ed
, London: Sage
Schwandt, T.A. (2007)
The Sage Dictionary of Qualitative Inquiry, 3rd ed
, London: Sage.
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
Amanda.Haynes@ul.ie