Qualitative Research

3 Credits.

This course introduces students to qualitative research design, data generation practices, and analysis. The class first provides a basic grounding in core concepts related to ethics, reflexivity/positionality, research siting/casing, and sampling. It then familiarizes students with basic data generation methods including interviewing, taking field notes, participant observation & ethnography, participatory action, and archival work. The class then explores different approaches to analysis, including discourse and content analysis, process tracing, and qualitative social network analysis. Instruction covers positivist, interpretivist, and critical approaches.