The seminar is composed of three main topics:

(1) Epistemological and methodological foundations and study design:

This part focuses on the premises and basic ideas of qualitative research and looks at ways of how these are implemented in the design of qualitative research (including the development of a research question, research strategy, selection of research sites and cases, particular methods, reporting and quality assessment).

(2) Qualitative data generating:

This part gives an overview on methods for generating qualitative data. In particular it deals  with various forms of qualitative interviews, document analysis and ethnographic fieldwork.

(3) Qualitative data analysis:

The final part deals with qualitative methods for data analysis with an exemplary focus on code based analysis.

The seminar introduces students to the basic characteristics, approaches and procedures to designing and conducting qualtitatve social research, especially  interview research. By the end of the course students should be familiar with the epistemological and methodological foundations and the most important instruments of qualitative social research and be able to critically assess qualitative studies. Pracitcal exercises will enhance their understanding and ability to apply qualitative methods of case selection, data generating and data analysis.

Suggested Readings:

Ritchie, Jane & Lewis, Jane (eds) (2003) Qualitative Research Practice. A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications

Denzin, N., K., & Lincoln, Yvonna .S. (Eds.). (2011). Handbook of Qualitative Research,  4th Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

Gubrium, F. F., Holstein, J. A., Marvasti, A. B., & McKinney, K. D. (2012). The SAGE handbook of interview research. The complexity of the craft (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications

Bogner, Alexander/Littig, Beate & Menz, Wolfgang (eds) (2009): Interviewing Experts. Houndsmill: Palgrave/MacMillan