Foundations of Qualitative Methods

3 units

This doctoral-level course provides a comprehensive foundation in the philosophical, theoretical, and methodological traditions in qualitative research. Students will critically examine the assumptions that shape qualitative inquiry while exploring both traditional and emerging research approaches. The course emphasizes the alignment of research questions, theoretical frameworks, methodological choices, data collection strategies, and analytic approaches. Students will develop competencies in designing rigorous qualitative studies, conducting ethical and culturally responsive research, collecting and managing qualitative data, and applying systematic approaches to coding, analysis, and interpretation. Attention will be given to issues of trustworthiness, reflexivity, researcher positionality, and the role of ethics and social justice throughout the research process. Students will engage critically with contemporary qualitative scholarships, evaluate the quality of published research, and explore the use of qualitative data analysis software to support analytic rigor. Across assignments, students will gain practical hands-on experience in all aspects of qualitative research design from research conceptualization to writing for publication.