Qualitative Research Methods and Research Writing

Overview

Qualitative research methods serve to explore the grey areas that remain outside the confines of quantitative predictive research in human behavior. Training in qualitative research is absolutely essential to understand and explore the dynamic nature of the society in which we function.This course introduces students to qualitative research and helps them understand how qualitative research supplements quantitative inquiry in human behavior and the social sciences.
INTENDED AUDIENCE : Interested StudentsPRE REQUISITE : Bachelors DegreeINDUSTRY SUPPORT : Education.

Syllabus

COURSE LAYOUT

Week 1: Introduction to qualitative research,Introduction,The Qualitative Researcher,Quantitative vs. qualitative research, History of qualitative research,The process of qualitative researchWeek 2: Major paradigms & perspectives,Dominant paradigms of qualitative research,Interpretivist thinking,Verstehen, Constructivism,Properties of constructions,Constructivism: Sub paradigms,Criticisms of interpretivism & constructivismWeek 3: Major paradigms & perspectives (Contd.),Critical theory,Characteristics of critical theory,Critiques of critical theory
Week 4: Strategies of inquiry,Introduction to qualitative inquiry,Qualitative research design,Ethnography,Autoethnography,Case studies,Analyzing interpretive practiceWeek 5: Strategies of inquiry (Contd.),Grounded Theory,Participatory Action Research
Week 6: Methods of collecting & analyzing empirical materials,Observations,Interviewing,Interpretation of documents & material cultur,Images & visual methods Autoethnography, personal narrative & reflexivityWeek 7: Methods of collecting & analyzing empirical materials (Contd.),Analyzing talk & text,Data management & analysis methods, Software & qualitative researchWeek 8: Interpretation, evaluation & presentation,The problem of criteria,Interpretation,Writing,Evaluation and social programs, Qualitative research and social policy ConclusionWeek 9: What, why and how of technical and research writing.
Week 10: Literature review.Week 11: Writing about methods, results, and discussion of results.Week 12: Referencing, academic integrity, and writing for different types of readers (Research proposals, Dissertations, Journal articles, Magazine articles)Final Examination Pattern: Multiple Choice Questions (Just like the weekly quizzes)