There is still an ongoing debate on whether quantitative and/or qualitative methods are more appropriate to answer different research questions. Yet, both methodological approaches offer valuable contributions depending on the aim of research. While qualitative studies are suited for theory creation and require primarily exploratory designs (constructivist or phenomenological approaches), quantitative research seeks to test theories by quantifying structured data (statistical analysis). The course covers special topics in both, in qualitative and quantitative methods.

This semester students will work in small research groups, dealing with a specific topic. The groups learn how to do research in a team. They will draft a research design, formulate empirical questions, present them in class and they will gain relevant insights from the feedback of others. In the final research report, the quantitative and qualitative results should be connected to each other, placing a focus on the main (methodological) insights.  

In the qualitative part the aim is to develop mixed methods research designs which fit to the topics and questions of the students’ projects. With a special focus on the premises and basic ideas of empirical research, we look at ways of how these are implemented adequately in the designs. Furthermore, this part will focus on the qualitative method of expert interviews. Students will generate and analyse qualitative data.

In the quantitative part of the course, students work on their research project, using large quantitative data sets and applying regression-based methods.

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

- develop or deepen a research question (based on the state of the art and on theories)

- specify a mixed methods research strategy in more depth (empirical design)

- to adopt particular methods: first, to formulate quantitative hypotheses and to analyse data using econometric techniques: regression analysis, discrete and multilevel models, second to conduct qualitative expert interviews

- to analyse, interpret and try to link the varying results from quantitative and qualitative methods

- to present research results (including a quality assessment)

- to write an academic article

Students are expected to:

- prepare the literature for discussions in class

- actively participate in discussions and assignments in class

- submit a research design

- to select data

- to apply methods

- to analyse and interpret data

- to submit a research article

80% attendance of the class is required! If you miss a class, please inform us in advance!

Notice of Special Regulation for Covid-19:  

If a student is required to quarantine, or is otherwise prevented from attending class, due to a certified case of Covid-19 infection or a federally mandated Covid-19 lockdown, and this affects either attendance or the completion of an exam or other required course assignment, the course instructor is empowered to provide an alternative means for said student to meet the attendance/assessment requirement as necessary. The same means will be required of any student in the same situation in the same course.

Design of Teaching

drafting and applying a research design, presentation, discussion, readings followed by aquestion-answer session to the obligatory texts and practical exercises.

Exigencies

Active participation in class, group assignments, presentation in class, final seminar paper on own project

- individual tasks (assignments) and contributions in class: 28%

- Group tasks: 72%

Astrid.Pennerstorfer@wu.ac.at

Barbara.Haas@wu.ac.at