An Overview of Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis

With such a large variety of qualitative research methods to choose from, creating a research design can be confusing and difficult without a sufficiently informed overview. This module aims to provide an overview by introducing qualitative data collection and analysis methods commonly used in social science research. The module provides a foundation for other SSRMP qualitative methods modules such as ethnography, discourse analysis, interviews, or diary research. Knowing what is ‘out there’ will help a researcher purposefully select further modules to study on, provide readings to deepen knowledge on specific methods, and will facilitate a more informed research design that contributes to successful empirical research.

NB. This module has video content that needs watching prior to the advertised start date, which can be found on the Moodle page.

• Postgraduate students and staff
• Further details regarding eligibility criteria are available here

Students are expected to engage with the Moodle material (videos, tasks) before the first live session on the 18th of October 2023. For this reason, the starting date is the 11th of October 2023.

Number of sessions: 3

• Session 1+2: qualitative interviews

• Session 3: participant observation and solicited diaries

• Session 4: different forms of qualitative data analysis

• Session 5: rigour, research ethics, participant relationships

• To provide students with an overview of different qualitative methods commonly used in social science research and consider how they fit within a research design

• To critically examine a number of different qualitative methods for data collection and analysis

• To encourage students to give careful and thoughtful consideration of the best method/s for their own research

• Bryman, A. (2016) Social Research Methods. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Creswell, J. (2013) Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. 3rd ed. Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC: SAGE Publications, Inc.

• Gibbs, G. R. (2018) Analyzing Qualitative Data. Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC, Melbourne: SAGE Publications.

• Grbich, C. (2013) Qualitative Data Analysis: An Introduction. 2nd ed. Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC: SAGE Publications Ltd.

• Saldaña, J. (2016) The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. 3rd ed. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi, Singapore: SAGE Publications, Inc.

This module is not assessed.

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