Qualitative Research Methods_Course Comparison

Description

ECOF 7903_Qualitative Research Methods

COMM8003_Qualitative Research Methods

In this seminar students will be introduced to the design, conduct, and presentation of qualitative research.

This course builds on COMM8000 Intellectual Foundations of Social Sciences and COMM8001 Introduction to Research Methods and provides an advanced understanding of qualitative research approaches, methods and techniques. This course will enable students to acquire in-depth knowledge, skills and experience necessary to conduct qualitative research studies. It will inspire, excite and prepare students to undertake qualitative research. The course focuses on issues critical for qualitative inquiry, such as philosophical foundations, theory building, the design and conduct of qualitative study (of different types), methods of data collection and analysis, researcher role and relationships with subjects researched, the quality of qualitative research, presentation of findings and writing a research proposal and a thesis. It will also include the review of exemplary papers adopting a variety of qualitative research methods from organization studies, management, marketing, accounting, information systems, and other business disciplines. The course will adopt a workshop style and active students’ engagement in workshops, debates and class activities. The course content and structure will be responsive to students’ needs. The course aims to: 1. Develop understanding of

Issues of “quality” are discussed as methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation are studied and practiced. The roles of theory and research questions in the choice of methodology are also discussed. Ethnographical, Grounded Theory, Phenomenological methods are discussed in depth. Narrative analysis and discursive analysis techniques are also examined. This course is designed to follow ECOF7901 Research Design and cumulatively helps students develop a research proposal using a Qualitative approach.

Aims and Context

The course aims to enable students to experience the

Comparison

research process while learning how to plan, execute, evaluate, and present qualitative research. Assignments provide practice in research design and data collection, analysis, and presentation. In this way, the role of various research skills, including oral, analytic and written skills, in gathering, interpreting, and reporting on qualitative data are also emphasized. The students will be able to understand and apply the philosophical links between the epistemological and axiological stages in their research planning.

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Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to :

different approaches and theoretical foundations of qualitative research and how they relate to different qualitative research methodologies Develop capacity to formulate research problems, conduct literature review and justify research questions leading to qualitative inquiry Develop in-depth understanding and gain practical experience in applying selected qualitative research methods, including research design, selection of research site and conduct of a qualitative inquiry, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and theory development Develop understanding and apply quality criteria for qualitative research Develop and apply fundamental research skills, including conducting observations and interviews, analysing qualitative data using thematic analysis and Grounded Theory, etc. Foster critical attitude and question taken-forgranted assumptions and views Identify, understand and debate ethical and professional issues in practicing qualitative inquiry Develop writing and presentation skills.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

1. understand the link between philosophical perspective on research and methodology

2. Be able to make appropriate methodological choices for particular research problems 3. Be able to articulate and justify their choice of research methodology 4. Be able to detail a research data collection technique which is consistent with their chosen method and further have a working knowledge of the tools of qualitative analysis and interpretation

Assessment

1. Presentation (10 minutes) in class of research idea – 20

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the distinct nature of qualitative inquiry and varieties of qualitative research in business disciplines 2. Understand and reflect on different qualitative research traditions and approaches and their relations with methodological choices 3. Formulate research problems, conduct literature review and justify research questions leading to qualitative inquiry 4. Discuss arguments for a particular research perspective/approach, the selection of research sites(s), and application of particular research methods/techniques of data collection and analysis; as well as assess the quality of qualitative research 5. Competently conduct observations and interviews and apply several data analysis methods 6. Understand and debate ethical aspects of qualitative research and in particular the relationship between research and practice and between researchers and subjects researched 7. Write up and present research report (research proposal, research paper or methodology). 1. Assignment #1: An essay The purpose of the assignment is:

marks. Short and preliminary presentation of your half formed/fully formed/germ of a research idea for the PhD or other research.

1. to develop your ability to understand and analyse an example of a field study research, its philosophical approach, methodology and contribution 2. to discuss the quality of qualitative non-positivist research in your discipline 3. to develop your research writing skills and in particular your ability to present your arguments logically and in a clear and concise form.

2. Participation and engagement in class – 30 marks (as evaluated by your peers as well as the course coordinator). Each student (in the 1st session) will be assigned a set of 2 papers (from the set readings) to read and prepare for the 3rd hour of the class. They will be the ‘discussion leaders’ for the session and will be marked on their preparation, engagement and ability to stimulate meaningful and fruitful discussion/debate. Come prepared with slides or handouts (copy to be provided to Coordinator)

2. Class discussions and activities Class discussions and activities will be specified for each class. Each student should prepare for classes (read suggested papers, make notes and complete required tasks) and contribute to class activities. Some class activities will be individual while others will involve groupwork.

3. Research Methodology 3. Assignment #2: Research proposal / Final proposal, Research paper or proposal (2000 words) Research methodology

of research idea using at least one qualitative method – 50 marks. For those students who are not engaging in qualitative methods for their PhDs , the proposal will be an ‘alternate qualitative methodology’ i.e. their original research idea approached from a qualitative perspective. The use of a mixed methods approach is acceptable.