Overview
This course covers the theoretical and philosophical bases of qualitative inquiry and provides students with the basic skills needed to do qualitative research. Topics covered in the course include qualitative research designs, methods of data collection, issues of validity and reliability, and qualitative data analysis. The course will also explore ways to integrate quantitative and qualitative methods.
Athabasca University Library: Students are encouraged to browse the Library's Web site to review the Library collection of journal databases, electronic journals, and digital reference tools: http://library.athabascau.ca.
Outline
This course is divided into 10 modules.
- Starting a Qualitative Research Project (Initiation and Design)
- Qualitative Research Methodologies
- Building the Conceptual Framework
- Building the Research Design
- Data Collection Methods
- Managing, Analyzing, and Interpreting Data
- Mixed Methods & Case Studies
- Trustworthiness and Ethics
- Defending Your Proposal and Preparing Your Final Report
- Reflection and Critique
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- apply appropriate methodologies to relevant research questions
- explain and critically discuss the philosophical foundations of qualitative research
- critically analyze qualitative research reports and studies
- describe and discuss different ontological and epistemological approaches to qualitative research in terms of the questions they seek to answer, the types of data collected, and the analysis methods used
- compare and critique qualitative and quantitative epistemological and ontological approaches
- critically discuss why it is difficult to collect qualitative data and how these challenges can be addressed
- critically discuss the ethical challenges associated with qualitative research
- develop and defend a plan to guide a qualitative study
- speak about qualitative research in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner
- develop an in-depth research proposal for a qualitative research study
- develop a reflexive understanding of what it means to be a qualitative researcher
Evaluation
Your grade will be based on the successful completion of 3 individual Assignments and participation and leadership in moderated group discussions.
| Activity | Weight |
| Discussion Leadership (Synthesis Report and Discussion) | 15% |
| Participation in Discussions (and Synthesis Report | 20% |
| Reflexive Report on Fieldwork-(RRF) | 30% |
| Research Proposal Draft | 10% |
| Research Proposal -Full | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
To receive a passing grade in this course, you must meet these minimum standards: receive a minimum grade of 70-74 % over all course components.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Marshall, C., & Rossman, G., & Blanco, G. L. (2021). Designing qualitative research (7th ed.). Sage Publications.
Digital Reading Room (DRR)