Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE DOC6022

 
TITLE Qualitative Research Methods: An Introduction

 
UM LEVEL D - Doctoral Workshops/Symposium

 
MQF LEVEL Not Applicable

 
ECTS CREDITS Not Applicable

 
DEPARTMENT Doctoral School

 
DESCRIPTION This workshop will introduce the philosophical and epistemological underpinnings of qualitative research methodologies. Candidates will be facilitated in selecting suitable methodologies that complement specific research questions, together with appropriate data collection and analytic strategies. An outline of the research strategy principles of qualitative research will be provided,including a discussion on ontology, epistemology, interpretivism and social constructionism. Current research trends and debates in qualitative research will be presented together with a brief overview of some popular qualitative methodologies. Candidates will be supported in conceptualising the practical application of the methodologies they are exposed to. The study-unit also aims to foster a critical, evaluative stance to qualitative research.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this workshop, doctoral researchers should be more aware of:

- the historical development of diverse qualitative approaches;
- how to locate and justify qualitative research in their chosen research field according to their specific area of study;
- how to formulate appropriate qualitative research questions;
- what is required to effectively conduct doctoral-level research based on their study’s chosen qualitative methodology;
- how to justify their qualitative methodology depending on the nature of the specific study they are undertaking;
- how to identify effective data collection procedures.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Timetable Details - Please click here for further details.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Workshop

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Attendance No 100%

 
LECTURER/S Marta Sant

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit