Syllabus

Title
5049 Advanced Methods in Qualitative Research
Instructors
ao.Univ.Prof. Dr. Elfriede Penz
Contact details
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
02/16/16 to 02/29/16
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Thursday 04/28/16 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM D2.0.342 Teacher Training Raum
Friday 04/29/16 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM D2.0.392
Thursday 06/02/16 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM D4.1.212 GIS Lab
Friday 06/03/16 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM D4.1.212 GIS Lab
Contents

The course focuses on two sets of material available to researchers, i.e. literature and qualitative data. It discusses both types of material and suggests a CAQDAS approach for the analysis of them.

Reviewing the literature is integral to thinking about the research that researchers are undertaking. It relates to the formulating of research questions, the framing and design of the work, the methodology and methods; the data analysis; and the final conclusions and recommendations. Undertaking a review of the literature allows researchers to define what the field of study is, establish what research has been done which relates to the research question or field of study, consider what theories, concepts and models have been used and applied in the field of study, identify and discuss methods and approaches that have been used by other researchers; and identify the ‘gaps’ or further contribution that the present piece of research will make.

Research issues are becoming increasingly complex and are getting harder to address, e.g. in new topic areas. Consequently, qualitative research in general and qualitative computing in particular has become widely accepted. This course covers parts of the broad field of qualitative methods and methodology: overview, sampling, analysis and quality assessment (leaving out how to collect qualitative data).

Learning outcomes
The purpose of this course is to provide PhD students with special aspects within qualitative research methodology and to familiarize them with specific techniques for qualitative data analysis, including hands-on application of techniques using the NVIVO software.

At the end of the seminar students are expected to have an understanding of:

•    Goals and techniques of literature reviews

•    Qualitative research approaches

•    Sample methods/criteria

•    Basics in analysis of literature, interview and observation material (transcription, field notes, photos and videos)

•    Quality assessment of literature review and qualitative research

After completing the course, students will be familiar and able to work with a particular software package (NVivo), which integrates a wide range of tools and enables researchers to analyze and visualize qualitative data, and link it to quantitative data.

Teaching/learning method(s)
The four-day course covers special topics in qualitative research. A mixture of presentation, discussion, software training and exercises will be used. Students are encouraged to bring their own data and/or use them in the training part.
Assessment

Participation (50%): being physically present and participate in class and individual discussions

Participants are required to work on their own projects (50%)

1. After unit 1 and 2 each participant should

  • search for literature (at least 10 sources) and organize the literature in Endnote or a similar reference software program.
  • apply a sample method according to discussed criteria;
  • collect qualitative data: conduct interviews (at least 3) or run a focus group discussion, collect observation material (photos, videos, audio, website content, field notes, brochures, etc.)
  • prepare transcripts and write a protocol for each interview, focusgroup, observation, etc. (word documents).
2. The data should be analyzed using NVivo 11 after units 3 and 4.

Deadline for handing in the NVivo project: End of semester

Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists
Only for PhD Students.
Readings
1 Author: Bazeley, Pat & Jackson, Kristi
Title: Qualitative Data Analysis with NVivo

Publisher: Sage
Edition: 2nd
Year: 2013
Content relevant for class examination: No
Content relevant for diploma examination: No
Recommendation: Strongly recommended (but no absolute necessity for purchase)
Type: Book
Availability of lecturer(s)
Elfriede Penz can be contacted via e-mail: elfriede.penz@wu.ac.at.
Other
n/a
Unit details
Unit Date Contents
1 Day 1
  • Introduction to the four day-workshop & overview
  • Qualitative methods overview and sampling
  • Analysis of qualitative data
  • Quality assessment of qualitative data

2 Day 2
  • Nature and strategies of literature review
  • Quality assessment of literature review
3 Day 3

  • Handling literature and qualitative data with NVivo (Basics)
4 Day 4
  • Handling literature and qualitative data with NVivo (Advanced)
Last edited: 2016-02-17



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