About this course: In this course you will be introduced to the basic ideas behind the qualitative research in social science. You will learn about data collection, description, analysis and interpretation in qualitative research. Qualitative research often involves an iterative process. We will focus on the ingredients required for this process: data collection and analysis. You won't learn how to use qualitative methods by just watching video's, so we put much stress on collecting data through observation and interviewing and on analysing and interpreting the collected data in other assignments. Obviously, the most important concepts in qualitative research will be discussed, just as we will discuss quality criteria, good practices, ethics, writing some methods of analysis, and mixing methods. We hope to take away some prejudice, and enthuse many students for qualitative research.
Created by: University of Amsterdam
Taught by: Gerben Moerman, Dr.
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
| Basic Info | Course 2 of 5 in the Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences Specialization |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Commitment | 8 weeks of study, 4-6 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Philosophy of Qualitative Research
Welcome to the first week of the course. We start with an introduction, followed by two lessons on the Philosophy of Qualitative Research.
8 videos, 12 readings
- Reading: A very warm welcome to Qualitative Research Methods!
- Video: 1.0 Introduction
- Reading: Course description
- Reading: Prerequisite knowledge needed
- Reading: Course Structure
- Reading: Standing on shoulders of giants
- Reading: Team
- Reading: On Elephants
- Video: 1.1 On Elephants
- Video: 1.2 Ontology for social actors
- Video: 1.3 Ontology for social researchers
- Video: 1.4 Epistemology
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: How to never emerge from the library again...
- Video: 1.5 Hermeneutics
- Video: 1.6 Phenomenology
- Video: 1.7 Pragmatism
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
Graded: Assignment A: Is Silverman right?
WEEK 2
Observation
In the first module we discussed the philosophy of qualitative research, explaining some basic notions and general philosophical approaches. In this second module we'll discuss observation as an important method within qualitative research. What types of observation are there? How do we observe? And how do we analyse and describe our data?
9 videos, 10 readings
- Reading: Background of observation as a method
- Video: 2.1 Ethnography
- Video: 2.2 Participant Observation
- Video: 2.3 Views on Observation
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Focus and the assignment
- Video: 2.4 Observational Focus
- Video: 2.5 Cyclists in Amsterdam
- Video: 2.6 Privatizing Public Space
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Note taking and Interpreting
- Video: 2.7 Field Notes
- Video: 2.8 Fieldwork organisation
- Video: 2.9 Observation and Interpretation
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Peer Review: Assignment B: instructions
Graded: Assignment B: Observing on waiting around the world: Privatising Public Space
WEEK 3
Good Practices & Criteria
What makes qualitative research 'good' is a rather difficult question. Different criteria are suggested, but within the field of qualitative research there is not much agreement on these criteria. However, there is quite some agreement on what good practices of qualitative research are. In this module we will start in lesson 1 with a discussion of good practices of qualitative research.
9 videos, 9 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: Good practices
- Video: 3.1 Flexibility
- Video: 3.2 Triangulation
- Video: 3.3 Abduction
- Video: 3.4 Focus on Details and Context
- Video: 3.5 Look for Contradiction
- Video: 3.6 Reflexivity
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Selecting Cases
- Video: 3.7 How Many Cases Are Enough
- Video: 3.8 Theoretical Saturation
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Criteria for Research Quality
- Video: 3.9 Criteria For Research Quality
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Practice Quiz: Practice quiz
Graded: Midterm exam
WEEK 4
Qualitative Interviewing
In this module we'll look at what a qualitative interview entails by trying to define it and by discussing different forms of interviewing behaviour.
7 videos, 9 readings
- Reading: What is a qualitative interview?
- Video: 4.1 Visions of Interviewing
- Video: 4.2 Typologies of Interviews
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Interviewing Behaviour
- Video: 4.3 Rapport in interviewing
- Video: 4.4 Powergame or Roleplaying
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Probing
- Video: 4.5 Probing and prompting
- Video: 4.6 Probing tactics
- Video: 4.7 Interviewing, a final thought
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
Graded: Assignment C Interviewing about Happiness around the world
WEEK 5
Qualitative Analysis
In previous modules we discussed how you should observe a social situation or conduct a qualitative interview. Now we will focus on what to do with your data, by discussing qualitative analysis. In this module you will try to do a qualitative analysis by interpreting your observed data and try to code it.
6 videos, 10 readings
- Reading: Qualitative Analysis
- Video: 5.1 Qualitative Analysis
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Deductive Approaches
- Video: 5.2 Code and Retrieve
- Video: 5.3 Framework Analysis
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Inductive Approaches
- Video: 5.4 Analytic Induction
- Video: 5.5 Grounded Theory
- Video: 5.6 Versions of Grounded Theory
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Optional: Interview with Kathy Charmaz
Graded: Assignment D: Analysis of Privatising Public Space around the world
WEEK 6
Writing, mixing & ethics
In this module I will discuss ideas on writing in qualitative research, I will discuss mixing methods and talk about the ethical issues you should consider.
7 videos, 12 readings
- Reading: Writing
- Video: 6.1 Qualitative writing
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Mixing
- Video: 6.2 Mixing Methods
- Video: 6.3 How to mix
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Ethics
- Video: 6.4 Five Focal Points in Ethics
- Video: 6.5 Ethics - Visions & Practices
- Video: 6.6 Ethical Boards & Qualitative Research
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
- Reading: Fraud
- Video: 6.7 Fraud
- Reading: Slides
- Reading: References
Graded: Assignment E: Writing about Happiness around the world
WEEK 7
Catch up week
In this module there's no new material. The only requirement in this module is that you finish up the final peer review assignment.
1 reading
- Reading: Catch up? Or do some more!
WEEK 8
Exam week
This is the final module, where you can apply everything you've learned up until now in the final exam. Please note that you can only take the final exam once every day, so make sure you are fully prepared to take the test. Please follow the honor code and do not communicate or confer with others taking this exam. Good luck! Once you've taken the exam, please consider doing the other courses in our specialisation track. I hope it was an enjoyable experience. If it was, please consider joining in with the Massive Open Online Research by my colleague Christian Bröer. Thanks for all your hard work, feedback and interpretations, the course team and your fellow learners really appreciate it!
Graded: Final Exam
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Ratings and Reviews
Great course. very practical and interesting.
I really liked the assignments given to put in practice what we learnt in class.
Its a good introductory course on the topic. Of course, the subject is too wide to fit in a month-long mooc but I felt it was a good primer and touched about key aspects of Qualitative Research Methods, with good references and sign-posting to further in-depth study on the specific topics.
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SS
Great teacher! He has boundless energy and enthusiasm. Because of this enthusiasm, learning is almost effortless. I would certainly recommend the course to others.