Qualitative Research Methods

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:8.00

Study Course Accepted:02.02.2024 12:25:25

Study Course Information
Course Code:		KSK_140		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		2.00		ECTS:		3.00
Branch of Science:		Communication Sciences		Target Audience:		Communication Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Diāna Kiščenko
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		8	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		16
Classes (count)		4	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		8
Total Contact Hours								24
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		5	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		10
Classes (count)		3	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		6
Total Contact Hours								16
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
The study course “Social Research Methods” has been mastered.
Objective:
To familiarise students with the main qualitative research methods, to get understanding of qualitative methods and their most significant differences from quantitative methods. The course shapes understanding of the qualitative research process and its stages, main qualitative research methods, as well as the collection of data and their analysis in a qualitative research.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Quantitative and qualitative approach in social science. Specifics of qualitative research.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	Progress and stages of qualitative research. Research ethics.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
3	Development and discussion of a qualitative research project.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
4	Data acquisition method: interview.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
5	Discussion of interviews conducted by students.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
6	Data acquisition methods: focus group.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
7	Discussion of conducted focus groups by students.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
8	Anthropological research methods: participant observation. Creative research methods.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
9	Analysis of qualitative research data.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
10	Presentation and publication of qualitative research results.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
11	Presentation of research projects developed by student groups.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Quantitative and qualitative approach in social science. Specifics of qualitative research.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	Progress and stages of qualitative research. Research ethics.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
4	Data acquisition method: interview.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
5	Discussion of interviews conducted by students.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
6	Data acquisition methods: focus group.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
7	Discussion of conducted focus groups by students.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
9	Analysis of qualitative research data.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
11	Presentation of research projects developed by student groups.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
During the course students in work groups prepare a research project, make interviews and focus group discussions. Participation in practical classes is mandatory (in case of no participation practical works should be developed). In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
Assessment Criteria:
• Activity in seminars – 10% • Homework – 10% • Research – 40% • Presentation – 40%
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Knowledge about the scientific approach and goals of science in social sciences; qualitative methodology in social science research; the structure and design of qualitative research; on qualitative research data acquisition and analysis methods.
Skills:		Students are able to identify and use in practice the most important theories, concepts, data acquisition and analysis methods; to choose methods appropriate for the research goal and tasks; to develop a research proposal.
Competencies:		Students are able to perform a qualitative research in accordance with conditions of qualitative methodology.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Harding, J. 2019. Qualitative Data Analysis. From Start to Finish. 2nd ed. SAGE Publications.
2	Mārtinsone K., Pipere A. 2021. Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte
3	Raksti un grāmatas no Sage Research Methods datubāzē
Additional Reading
1	Bogdan R., Taylor S. 1984. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods. New York: Wiley&Sons.
2	Briggs. C.L. 1986. Learning how to ask. A sociolinguistic appraisal of the role of the interview in social science research. Cambridge University Press.
3	Creswell John W. 2007. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design. Choosing among Five Approaches. 2nd ed., SAGE Publications.
4	Flick U. 2014. An Introduction to Qualitative Research, SAGE Publications.
5	Glaser B.G., Strauss A. 1967. The Discovery of Grounded Theory. Strategies for Qualitative Research. New Brunswick; London: Aldine Transaction.
6	Kroplijs A., Raščevska M. 2004. Kvalitatīvās pētniecības metodes sociālajās zinātnēs. Rīga: Raka.
7	Kvale S. 1996. Interviews. An introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing. SAGE Publications.
8	Mārtinsone K., Pipere A. 2011. Ievads pētniecībā: stratēģijas, dizaini, metodes. Rīga: Raka.
9	Ragin Ch.C. 1994. Constructing Social Research. California: Pine Forge Press.
10	Roberts. B. 2000. Biographical Research. Buckingham: Open University Press.
11	Silverman D. 2014. Interpreting Qualitative Data. SAGE Publications.
12	Skultāne V. Š. 2005. The testimony of lives: narrative and memory in post-Soviet Latvia. London; New York: Routledge.