This course focuses on qualitative research methods in general, and on specified methods such as ethnography, discourse analysis and narrative analysis. The methodology and the practices of qualitative research methods are discussed. The aim is to enable the students to reflect and use qualitative research methods. Students will be able
- to understand the methodology of qualitative research methods
- to identify different qualitative research methods
- to analyse data with one specified method for example discourse analysis or narrative analysis

The course has three parts:

1) Introduction focuses on the process and methodology of qualitative research. Different ways to interpret the reality and understand knowledge are discussed. Students learn how the research questions and findings are related to the scientific assumptions on which the research methods are based.

2) Students will examine one specific, established qualitative research method (discourse analysis/ narrative analysis/ ethnography etc.). The focus will be on the methodological basis, the forms of data and the ways of analyzing the data. The selection of the covered qualitative methods will be based on the interests of the students.

3) The collection of data and analysis of the data will be exercised. Basic rules of qualitative research method are practiced with a given data in a step-by-step process. The end result will be a well-grounded argument based on the analysis.

The course begins with a period of face-to-face lectures and continues in Moodle.

Required prerequisites: Coffey & Atkinson (1996) Making Sense of Qualitative Data. Complementary Research Strategies.

The course is meant for students of international Master's programmes. Max. number of students: 25. If there are more interested students, there is a possibility of organising another group.

Compensates PEACE003