The aim of the course is to give a broad orientation in qualitative approaches to research. The main approaches introduced are: case study, narrative research, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory and participatory action research. Differences between these approaches are explored with the special attention given to: ontological and epistemological assumptions; role of theory; types of research goals and research questions; use of methods (interviews, documentary analysis, observations, analysis of audio-visual materials); possibilities of generalizations. Students are presented with examples of research design following specific approaches and have an opportunity to discuss them with invited researchers representing each of the research traditions.

During the course candidates discuss own research design in smaller groups, which enables them to develop own projects and justify own methodological choices.

Main Subjects

• Qualitative research approach – ontology and epistemology
• Six alternative approaches: case study, narrative research, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory and participatory action research
• Connecting goal to questions, methods, data sources, analysis and conclusions
• Analytical strategies and the role of theory
• Academic writing and qualitative research

Sessions

The course combines lectures and student’s activity in groups, as well as sessions developing students own PhD projects.

Time: 17-19 October 2022.

Place: Diakonveien 16, room D16-121 I

Compulsory assignments

15 minutes presentation of own research project. Requirement: refer to the designs discussed in the course (case study, narrative research, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory and participatory action research), preferably choose one of them to describe your project.

Pre-course assignment:

1. Familiarize yourself with these two publications:

Haverland, M., & Yanow, D. (2012). A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Public Administration Research Universe: Surviving Conversations on Methodologies and Methods. Public Administration Review, 72, 401-408.

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design (international student edition): Choosing among five approaches. Language, 25(459p).

Bradbury, H. (2015). Introduction: How to situate and define action research. The SAGE handbook of action research, 1-9.

2. Familiarize yourself with the video materials introducing each of the six approaches (source: Sage Research Methods webpage). They will help you to enter the discussion with researchers presenting each of the approaches. Note that the researchers presenting specific traditions of inquiry may ask you to read some texts beforehand.

Pre-course paper:

Participants are required to submit a written text ahead of the course, approximately 1-2 pages. The text should describe the candidates PhD project and reflect on methodological challenges and possibilities in applying qualitative methods. The description should include explicitly stated research aim, research question, reflection on methods and data sources selection, 5 key words.

Requirement: refer to the designs discussed in course programme (case study, narrative research, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory and participatory action research). Are you considering any of them? If not – what design are you considering and how does it relate to those approaches?

Deadline for submission of written text (upload to a common file on Canvas): 30.09.2022

Assessment

After the course, the student must submit a text of 1.750 words +/- 10% (ca. 5 pages) where they present two alternative qualitative research designs for their own project. Students can choose among the six designs presented during the course and additionally, they can propose a mixed method design (combining quantitative and qualitative approach).

Use a table format inspired by Cresswell to summarize the two chosen designs (separate rows for: the focus, type of problem, unit of analysis, data collection forms, data analysis strategies, written report - see ppt slides from Day 1). Use the same format also when you consider mixed methods approach, or participatory approach (not covered in the original table). NOTE: the words in table are excluded for the overall words’ calculation.

Deadline for submission of written paper: see Inspera Assessment

You will find more information about Inspera Assessment in the course pages at www.vid.no/student.

Course plan

Course plan