A rigorous conception and conscientious planning of research designs are crucial to the reliability of any research. The course provides an in-depth introduction to the challenges of planning qualitative research. Our primary focus lies in the proper formulation of a qualitative research question and hypothesis. Additionally, the course will enable students to discuss common challenges of linking theory and methodology. Topics that will be raised include some of the central concepts of qualitative research (context, subjectivity, and reflexivity) as well as the successive steps of thoughtful planning of research (concept specification and operationalization, case selection, data collection, measurement, and interpretation). It will also introduce two of the most used data collection methods, namely interviews and document analysis, and to a common data analysis method, namely content analysis. However the seminar will be open for students and guests to discuss methods that are of their interest, we will workshop ongoing projects of students, and the focus of the course will remain on the overall design and planning of a coherent plausible research project. This course aims to understand what qualitative research is and what we can learn from asking research questions in a qualitative manner. At the end of the semester, students are expected to critically design and improve their own research. Participation is open to students who are working on, or planning a qualitative research project, and would like the opportunity to get feedback on their ideas and their progress.
- Kursverantwortliche/r: Lise Moawad