Introductory description

Qualitative methods are rooted in interpretivist approaches to the social sciences that state that to know the social worlds we study, we need to understand the meanings that human subjects hold. Qualitative traditions of social research thus stress the importance of gaining access to the meanings possessed by human beings, since it is on the basis of such meanings that human agency and sociability become intelligible. Ethnographic traditions of social research, for instance, emphasise the importance of studying society in its ‘natural setting’ and through the participation of the researcher in those worlds. This has been complemented and revised by other qualitative research techniques and practices aimed at accessing the experiences, meanings and understandings possessed by human subjects, and how these are best represented through the construction of sociologically valid knowledge.

It is the aim of this module to provide postgraduate social science training in the area of qualitative research methods and methodologies. The module is concerned with the ways in which social scientists conduct qualitative research and analyse their data. Particular attention is paid to the importance of data analysis, as well as data gathering techniques.

The module is designed around a number of key methods and themes. Instead of Lectures and/or Seminars, we will be conducting workshops where we will have the opportunity to bring questions to the group, as well as practice the methods and approaches we are studying. An emphasis is placed on learning through active interaction with one another, including small groups discussions, practical exercises, group presentations and in-depth reading tasks based on key texts.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1 – Introduction to the Module: Qualitative Research Design
Week 2 – What is ‘Ethical’ Research?
Week 3 – Ethnography and Observation
Week 4 – Introduction to Visual Methods
Week 5 – Participatory Research Methods
Week 6 – Reading Week – No Workshop
Week 7 – Documentary and Archival Research
Week 8 – Qualitative Interviewing
Week 9 – Qualitative Data Analysis
Week 10 – Assessment Workshop

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• (1)Demonstrate an advanced understanding of a range of qualitative research methods, their advantages and limitations,
• (2)Demonstrate critical engagement with methodological debates relating to specific qualitative research methods.
• (3)Demonstrate active engagement with questions of research ethics.
• (4)Demonstrate an advanced ability to conceptualise and operationalise qualitative research questions.

Indicative reading list

Back, L (2007) The Art of Listening. London: Berg.
Back, L and Puwar, N (eds) (2012) Live Methods, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell
Clifford, 1 and Marcus, G (Eds) (198E) Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography,
Berkeley, LA: University of California Press
Coffey; A (1999) The Ethnographic Self, London, Sage
Darlington, Y (2002) Qualitative Research in Practice: Stories from the Field, Buckingham, Open
University Press
Denzin, N and Lincoln, Y (2005 (see also 1994 2000) Handbook of Qualitative Research, Thousand
Oaks (Calif), Sage (Third Edition)
Denzin, N and Lincoln, Y (Eds) (2003) The Qualitative inquiry Reader, Thousand Oaks (Calif), Sage
Edwards, R and Ribbens, J (Eds) Feminist Dilemmas in Qualitative Research. Public Knowledge and
Private Lives, London, Sage.
Ely, M et al (1991) Doing Qualitative Research: Circles within Circles, London, Falmer
Flick, U (2002) An Introduction to Qualitative Research, London, Sage
Henn, M, Weinstein, M and Foard, N (2009) A Critical Introduction to Social Research, 2nd edition,
London: Sage.
Law, J. (2004) After Method. Mess in Social Science Research. London: Routledge
Lury, C and Wakeford, N (eds) (2012) Inventile Methods: The Happening of the Social, London:
Routledge.
Mason, J (2002) Qualitative Researching, London, Sage (Second Edition)
May, T. (ed) (2002) qualitative Research in Action. London. Sage.
Ritchie, J and Lewis, J (2003) Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Science Students
and Researchers, London, Sage
Seale, C (1999) The Quality of Qualitative Research, London. Sage
Silverman, D (Ed) (1997) Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice, London, Sage
Somekh, B and Lewin, C ‘'eds) (2C 1) Theory and Methods in Social Research, 2nd Edition,
London: Sage
Wolcott, H (1999) Ethnography: A Way of Seeing, New York, AltaMira,'Sage
Wolf, D (Ed) (199E) Feminist Dilemmas it Fieldwork, Oxford: Westview Press

Subject specific skills

a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in qualitative research.

originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of qualitative research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline

conceptual understanding that enables the student to evaluate qualitative research methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.

Transferable skills

the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility
decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development
advanced written communication skills