Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course is divided in three modules:
Module 1: Qualitative Methods – History and Paradigm, 1.5 ECTS credits
Module 2: Practices of Qualitative Research, 2,0 ECTS credits
Module 3: Optional exercises and elaboration of research paper, 4 ECTS credits

Module 1: Qualitative Methods – History and Paradigm
During the first part of the course the participants are introduced to the historical background
and recent developments within the broad field of qualitative research methods in the social
sciences. The practices of qualitative research within different paradigms and theoretical
perspectives are discussed. During the introduction participants will be assigned specific
reading/preparation tasks for each of the subsequent thematic seminars. Every participant will be required
to prepare questions to at least one of the sessions. This also includes the responsibility for for initiating discussions and to write a short report from the seminar.

Module 2: Practices of Qualitative Research
During the second part of the course focus will be on certain methodological specializations in
order to gain more in-depth understandings of different practices of qualitative research. These
specializations will depend on the participating lecturers who will represent different fields such
as for example narrative analysis, discourse analysis, grounded theory etc. Each specialization will
thus be presented by researchers who use them in their own work at the faculty of Social Sciences
and Humanities at Umeå University. During each thematic seminar a group of students will be
responsible for questions and for initiating discussions.

Module 3: Optional exercises and elaboration of research paper
The third part of the course is dedicated to optional exercises and elaboration of examination
papers to be presented and discussed at the final seminar. Students will be required to reflect on
methodological choices and/or to practice qualitative analyses in a written exercise related to one
or more of the specializations that have been presented during the course. Participants will be
able to work independently with optional exercises provided to them by the lecturers.

Expected learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student is expected to:
- have knowledge of the historical background and recent developments within the field of
qualitative research methods
- have knowledge of relevant terminology within qualitative research
- have knowledge of how qualitative research methods have been practiced within
different paradigms and theoretical perspectives
- be able to understand differences between major methodological traditions within
qualitative research
- be able to critically evaluate different methodological approaches within qualitative
research
- be able to practice an optional qualitative analysis in accordance with one of the
specializations presented during the course
- be able to present a written examination paper in the final seminar
- be able to be discussant on an examination paper.

Required Knowledge

University: Courses of the amount of 90 ECTS credits in social sciences, or the necessary prerequisites to be admitted to a Master program at Umeå University, or corresponding knowledge. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimun total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section).

Form of instruction

The course content is delivered through lectures, seminars, and individual work. Compulsory attendence is required at the seminars. All lectures and seminars are held in English.

Examination modes

Participants are required to present and submit a written examination paper at the final seminar, and to be discussant on one of the other students paper at the final seminar. The examination also includes the responsibility for preparing questions and initiating discussions at one of the thematic seminars, and to write a short report from this seminar.

The examination paper (5-10 pages) may either a) discuss and compare two or more of the different approaches presented during the course; b) describe and motivate the design of a qualitative research approach applied to the participant’s own research interest; or c) present and discuss one of the qualitative research approaches together with a practical exercise using the approach. More detailed information about the paper is provided at the introduction of the course.

Other regulations

Academic credit transfers are reviewed individually. For more information, please see the University’s set of rules and academic credit transfer regulations.