| CODE | FSD5113 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Clinical Audit and Qualitative Research Methods for Family Therapists | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Child and Family Studies | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit seeks to further consolidate the students' knowledge of the four main qualitative methodologies that are most commonly used in the area of family therapy, that is, grounded theory methodology, phenomenological inquiry, case study research and narrative inquiry. It also includes the topic of clinical audit and service evaluation. It seeks to balance epistemological issues with practical concerns, focusing on the students' self-reflexivity as researchers. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to help develop practitioners- researchers, primarily by helping them push forward their thinking about their research project. Students will be encouraged to position themselves within a particular methodology discussed in class, amongst which, grounded theory methodology, case study research, phenomenological and narrative inquiry. This unit also seeks to assist students in learning how to conduct a service evaluation. This will also consolidate the students' learning about the theoretical concepts and the implications of the method for each methodology. There will be an emphasis on "doing" qualitative research and the concerns that emerge as part of the research process including relevant research ethical dilemmas and criteria for quality research. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1) Describe the epistemological foundations of qualitative research; 2) Formulate a research question and write a research proposal; 3) Critically appraise service evaluation and audit reports; 4) Complete the University research ethics committee form and obtain the relevant approval; 5) Consult when necessary with the relevant Code of ethics and conduct of MAFT- SP (Maltese Association for Family Therapy and Systemic practice) and that of AFT (Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Thinking), UK. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Plan, conduct and report on a piece of qualitative research and service evaluation or audit report; 2. Formulate an appropriate research question for a qualitative study; 3) Choose an appropriate design to answer the research question and appropriate qualitative analyses; 4) Consider appropriate strategies for credibility and trustworthiness of their research; 5) Consider issues related to ethical practice. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Lyons, E. & Coyle, A. (2007). Analysing qualitative data in psychology. London: Sage. Supplementary readings: - Burck, C. (2005) Comparing qualitative research methodologies for systemic research: the yse of grounded theory, discourse analyses and narrative analyses. Journal of Family Therapy, 27. 237 - 262. - Bryant, A. & Charmaz, K. (2007). (Eds.). The sage handbook of grounded theory. London: Sage. - Charmaz, K. (2006). Constructing grounded theory. A practical guide through qualitative analysis. London: Sage. - Dallos, R. & Vetere, A. (2005). Researching Psychotherapy and counselling. UK, Berkshire: Open University Press. - Daly, K. J. (2007). Qualitative methods for family studies & Human Development. London: Sage. - Flick, U. (2009). Introduction to qualitative research. London: Sage. - Glaser, B. G. & Strauss, A. L. (2008). The discovery of grounded theory: strategies for qualitative research. London: Aldine transaction. - Marshall, C, & Rossman, G. B. (2010). Designing qualitative research. London: Sage. - McLeod, J. (2010). Case study research in counselling and psychotherapy. London: Sage. - Reissman, C. K. (2008). Narrative methods for the human sciences. London: Sage. - Singh, R. (2011). Ecological epistemologies and beyond. Qualitative research in the twenty-first century. Journal of Family Therapy, 33(3), 229 - 233. - Smith, J. A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative phenomenological analysis. London: Sage. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications: 1st degree in a Social Science subject or related discipline | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Seminar | ||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Angela Abela Clarissa Sammut Scerri |
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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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