| CODE | SOC2003 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Qualitative Approaches in the Social Sciences | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Sociology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit takes students through some of the ways by which valid and reliable qualitative data are produced and analysed by social scientists. The unit focuses on three areas. First, the 'language' and the many applications of qualitative design and research. Second, the specific methodological and practical approaches involved in qualitative work, with an emphasis on ethnography, field interviews, focus groups, time diaries, and visual techniques (the last including photoelicitation and transects). Third, data analysis - in particular coding and thematic analysis - and the preparation of a finished piece of readable and rigorous work. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - equip students with a critical understanding of the language, contexts and applications of qualitative social science; - familiarize students with the practices of qualitative research design and fieldwork; - familiarize students with some of the main approaches to qualitative data analysis. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - apply the legacy that is qualitative research to research projects; - ask qualitative questions about society; - develop the appropriate research design; - develop and apply the appropriate research methods; - analyse the data produced; - convert the data into readable text. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Agar, M.H. (1996) The Professional Stranger: An informal introduction to ethnography 2 ed., Academic Books. - Bryman, A. (2008) Social Research Methods, 3 ed., Oxford University Press. - Corbin, J. & Strauss, A. (2008) Basics of Qualitative Research, 3 ed., Sage. - Lawrence Neuman, W. (2005) Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 4 ed. Pearson. - Marvasti, A.B. (2004) Qualitative research in sociology, Sage. Supplementary Readings: - Falzon, M.A. (ed.) (2009) Multi-sited Ethnography: Theory, praxis and locality in contemporary research, Routledge. - Seale, C. (ed.) (2004) Researching Society and Culture, 2 ed. Sage. - Emmison, M. et al. (2000) Researching the Visual, Sage. - Feldman, M.S. (1995) Strategies for interpreting qualitative data, Sage. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Mark Anthony Falzon |
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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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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