Qualitative Research Methods
Convenor: Dr Soo Hee Lee
Assessment: Two essays of 3000 words (50% each). The coursework deadlines are: 30th March 2012 (Absolute Cut-Off deadline – 20th April 2012), 27th April 2012 (Absolute Cut-Off deadline – 18th May 2012)
Aims
This module focuses on qualitative methods in organization and management research. The aim of the module is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the key debates and central issues in qualitative methods as well as practical skills for conducting qualitative research. This course presumes a reasonable working knowledge of the material introduced in ‘Research Methods in Management I’, and will build on RMI to address underlying principles and practical techniques for qualitative research design, data management and analysis. Each session will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different research methods and techniques.
Learning objectives
By the end of this module students will be able:
- to identify their research needs, to develop appropriate research design and to defend their methodological choices;
- to use appropriate techniques and tools for data collection and analysis;
- to appreciate the merits and limitations of alternative methods and techniques; and
- to manage the complexity and ambiguity that accompanies the qualitative research process.
Content
- Introduction to qualitative research (issues, ethics, paradigms & quality)
- Qualitative data collection (interviews, focus groups & surveys)
- Qualitative data analysis & writing-up
- Qualitative data analysis software (NVivo)
- Ethnographic research
- Discourse Analysis
- Case studies
- Comparative historical method
- Rigour, relevance & reflexivity in research
Background reading
- Silverman, D. (2010) Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook. London: Sage.
- Cassell, C. & Symon, G. (2004) Essential Guide to Qualitative Methods in Organizational Research. London: Sage.
