| Unit name | Qualitative Methods: Design and Analysis |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOLM0076 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Corinne Squire |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
In this unit you will be introduced to the key aspects of qualitative research methods. You will develop a philosophical appreciation of the underpinnings of qualitative research methods and develop a critical understanding of the potential of various qualitative methodologies, their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the key epistemological and methodological ‘problems’ raised in relation to these qualitative methodologies. You will also be introduced to key ethical, political and value concerns arising from the interpretation and analysis of qualitative data.
How does this unit fir into your programme of study
With ‘Philosophy and Research design’ and ‘Quantitative methods; research design and analysis’, this unit forms part of the core methodological units in the Masters programme upon which the optional units build. It provides a detailed critical introduction to qualitative research methods.
An overview of content
The unit will develop a philosophical appreciation of the underpinnings of qualitative research and understand how qualitative methods are used in the discipline. You will consider examples of qualitative research and be enabled to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of number of different qualitative methods. You will gain the knowledge needed be able to evaluate the research practice and to be sensitive to the ethical, political and value concerns in qualitative research.
How will students be different as a result of the unit
You will be able to design, utilise and critically evaluate qualitative research designs and have had the opportunity to develop a research proposal through group work with your peers. You will have refined your critical analysis skills and reflected on the personal/ethical issues raised in qualitative research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:
The unit will be delivered through a combination of lectures, group discussion and self-directed exercises. This style of learning allows for more formal input, often by researchers expert in a type of research method, and group work where students can try out the different research methods. This combination enables the theory to be put into practice.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare for summative tasks (formative):
You will be supported in your summative assessment by a group presentation on a co-developed research proposal and a 400 word outline of a research project relating to summative assessment.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Research Proposal (3500 words maximum, 100%)
The assessment addresses all learning outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. This will comprise a task of the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOLM0076).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
