PSY4520 – Qualitative Methods and Project Development

Course description

Course content
Learning outcome
Admission
Prerequisites

Teaching
Examination

Course content

This course will be reduced to a 5 ECTS course from spring 2013 and it has a new code: PSY4521

This course offers students an in-depth and hands-on approach to qualitative research methods, with a view to preparing students for undertaking qualitative or mixed-methods research. The course will focus on both the epistemological and the practical aspects of working with qualitative data, and it will include work on a range of methodological approaches. The course will closely follow what the students are doing in other areas of their Masters study, specifically paying attention to their participant observation work. The course aims to support the development of the thesis proposal, informing students' thinking about the research proposal, whether they intend to use qualitative methods, mixed methods, or quantitative methods.

Learning outcome

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

work with qualitative data
formulate research questions that may be addressed using qualitative or mixed methods
make good decisions about when to use qualitative methods, mixed methods, or quantitative methods
articulate reasons for choosing a particular qualitative methodological approach

Students will be encouraged to use the course to develop a detailed Masters research proposal, which gives thorough consideration to ethical, epistemological and practical issues.

Admission

The course is obligatory for all students in the Kultur-, samfunns-, og sosialpsykologi discipline on the Masters.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

This course builds on the methods course in the first semester of the master?s program.

Teaching

It is obligatory for students to participate in discussions of both their own and their fellow students' master projects in seminars. At least 75% of the lectures and 75% of the seminars must be attended. More information on other obligatory tasks will follow in January. If one is absent for more than 15% of the seminars and/or lectures, one must submit proof of legitimate absence (illness, etc.) to the department.

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

Home exam: The evaluation of the course will be by students developing a detailed research proposal for their master thesis paying particular attention to research methods and ethics.

Submitting the paper: in the reception at the department together with declaration + one copy in fronter.