23-MQL-B Qualitative Research – Basic course

Tutors:
dr. Saskia Akkermans-Stollman (s.h.m.stollman@tue.nl) &
dr. Loes de Jong (l.dejong4@uva.nl)

Course description

The course offers an introduction into qualitative research for PhD students who use qualitative or mixed methods research in their PhD-project or have the intention to conduct qualitative research.

The course is concerned with central questions, methodological approaches and themes related to conducting qualitative research. In the meetings the focus will be on: 1) exchanging and discussing knowledge, perspectives and experiences regarding these aspects and 2) the application of knowledge and skills in authentic tasks.

A detailed overview of the course topics, work forms, assignments, and feedback is provided in the table on the following page.

Course objectives

By the end of the course the students will be able to:

• Describe what qualitative research entails and distinguish different types of qualitative research.
• Make decisions regarding qualitative research design and data collection on their own research project and substantiate these decisions.
• Conduct predominant qualitative data analysis techniques on their own data.
• Evaluate written methods sections on visibility, comprehensibility, and acceptability.

Requirements/entry level

The requirement is that you use qualitative or mixed methods research in your PhD-project or you are intended to conduct qualitative research.

Deadlines:

• Preparatory assignment ‘research plan’ before June 5^th, noon.
• Final assignment ‘qualitative analysis task’ before June 20^th, noon.           

Date	Description	Preparations
Day 1 June 7th 10.00 – 16.00	Topics: To be announced. Work forms: – Presentations by (guest) teachers – Group assignments – Demonstrations – Discussions Assignments: – Research plan Feedback/peer-feedback: – Peer-feedback on (preliminary) research plan	Assignment: research plan Prior to the first meeting, participants are required to describe a (preliminary) research plan that entails 1) a research question, (intended) measurement instruments and data analysis and 2) an outline of the preferred methodological approach based on the required readings. 1 to 1,5 page (individual). Readings: To be announced.
Day 2 June 8th 10.00 – 16.00	Topics: To be announced.   Work forms: – Presentations by (guest) teachers – Group assignments – Demonstrations – Discussions Assignments: To be announced. Feedback/peer-feedback: To be announced.	Readings: To be announced.
Day 3 June 22th 10.00 – 16.00	Topics: To be announced.   Work forms: – Presentations by (guest) teachers – Group assignments – Demonstrations – Discussions Assignments: – Qualitative analysis task Feedback/peer-feedback: – Peer-feedback on qualitative analysis task	Assignment: Qualitative analysis task Between day 2 and 3, participants are asked to practice with different analytical techniques, compare their analysis with a peer and summarize their experiences. 1 to 1,5 page (groups of 2).   Readings: To be announced.

What data sets will be used?:

Participants will be able to use their own data sets. Data sets are available in case they do not have their own data set.

Specification of the workload:

Total study load: 45 hours
Lectures: 10.00-16.00 (three days); 18 hours
Reading: 23 hours (max 3 articles for each course day)
Assignment(s): 4 hours (preparatory assignment & final assignment)

Assessment:

The student completes the course s/he demonstrated evidence of having read the articles, is present during the course, actively engages in exchanging and discussion ideas during the course and completed the assignments according to the guidelines.

Literature To be announced.