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

Format

The work will consist of a combination of lectures and student activities through discussions, presentations of and responding to PhD projects. All sessions are held at VID campus Oslo.

This course uses Canvas as the platform for information and lectures.

Time and place

Date: 16-18 October 2023

Address/Room: tbc

Compulsory assignments

Pre-course reading:
It is recommended that participants are familiar with the following literature and eventually digital presentations before the course starts:

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.

Pre-course paper:
Participants are required to submit a written text ahead of the course, approximately 800 words. 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 submitting a 800 word abstract is 01.10.2023.

Compulsory assignments during the course:

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.

Assessment

After the course, the student must submit a text of 2000 words +/- 10% (ca. 6 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).

The text must include 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.

Both a satisfactory course attendance (minimum 75 %) and an approved essay are necessary to obtain the 10 ECTS.

Deadline for submission of written paper: TBA, in Inspera Assessment.

You will find more information about Inspera Assessment in the course pages at Canvas.