Qualitative Research Methods

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/qualitative-methods

Introduction

### Course Review: Qualitative Research Methods on Coursera In the ever-evolving landscape of social science research, qualitative methods hold a distinctive and essential place. If you're seeking to deepen your understanding of this approach, then the "Qualitative Research Methods" course on Coursera is an excellent choice. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles of qualitative research, guiding learners through data collection, analysis, and interpretation processes. #### Course Overview The course is structured around essential themes of qualitative research that include philosophy, observation, interviewing techniques, analysis, ethics, and good practices. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, this course ensures that participants not only absorb knowledge but actively engage in the research process. **Key Features of the Course:** - **Engaging Learning Modules:** The course is organized into a series of engaging modules covering various aspects of qualitative research methodology. - **Iterative Learning Process:** One of the unique aspects of qualitative research is its iterative nature, and this course emphasizes that by encouraging learners to practice data collection and analysis through observation and interviews. #### Detailed Course Syllabus Review 1. **Philosophy of Qualitative Research:** The course kicks off with an introduction to the philosophical foundations of qualitative research, which sets the stage for deeper understanding. It’s critical to comprehend where qualitative research stands in relation to quantitative methods, making this section invaluable for beginners. 2. **Observation:** This module delves into the intricacies of observation as a qualitative method. Learners explore various types of observational techniques, how to conduct effective observations, and the analytical processes to interpret the collected data—all vital skills for successful qualitative researchers. 3. **Good Practices & Criteria:** The course takes a thoughtful approach to discussing what constitutes 'good' qualitative research. While this area can often seem subjective, the emphasis on good practices provides a solid foundation for ethical and rigorous research. 4. **Qualitative Interviewing:** This section truly brings qualitative research to life as it covers different forms of interviewing behavior. Understanding how to conduct effective interviews is paramount for gathering qualitative data, and this module provides clear directives on best practices. 5. **Qualitative Analysis:** In this module, learners engage in qualitative data analysis through practical activities such as coding and interpreting data. It's where theory meets practice, and learners can experience firsthand the complexities and nuances of qualitative analysis. 6. **Writing, Mixing & Ethics:** The writing component of qualitative research is often overlooked. This module introduces learners to the best practices for writing in qualitative research, mixing methods, and addressing ethical dilemmas—essential knowledge for any researcher. 7. **Catch-up Week:** This week is a buffer allowing students the opportunity to consolidate their learning and complete any outstanding assignments, which is a thoughtful inclusion in the course structure. 8. **Exam Week:** The final module culminates in an exam that tests everything learned throughout the course. It encourages thorough preparation and self-assessment, reinforcing the practical application of knowledge. #### Recommendations This course is highly recommended for: - **Students and Researchers:** Those who are new to qualitative methods or looking to enhance their skills. - **Social Science Professionals:** Individuals working in fields requiring qualitative research skills, including sociology, anthropology, and education. - **Lives learners:** Anyone interested in understanding human behavior and gathering insights through qualitative data. ### Conclusion The "Qualitative Research Methods" course on Coursera is an enriching educational experience that provides a solid foundation in qualitative research. It’s balanced in theory and practice—ensuring that students emerge with both knowledge and practical skills crucial for conducting qualitative research. If you are looking to dive deeper into social sciences and develop your qualitative methodology skills, this course is certainly a worthwhile investment in your academic and professional journey. Happy learning!

Syllabus

Philosophy of Qualitative Research

Welcome to the first week of the course. We start with an introduction, followed by two lessons on the Philosophy of Qualitative Research.

In the first module we discussed the philosophy of qualitative research, explaining some basic notions and general philosophical approaches. In this second module we'll discuss observation as an important method within qualitative research. What types of observation are there? How do we observe? And how do we analyse and describe our data?

What makes qualitative research 'good' is a rather difficult question. Different criteria are suggested, but within the field of qualitative research there is not much agreement on these criteria. However, there is quite some agreement on what good practices of qualitative research are. In this module we will start in lesson 1 with a discussion of good practices of qualitative research.

In this module we'll look at what a qualitative interview entails by trying to define it and by discussing different forms of interviewing behaviour.

In previous modules we discussed how you should observe a social situation or conduct a qualitative interview. Now we will focus on what to do with your data, by discussing qualitative analysis. In this module you will try to do a qualitative analysis by interpreting your observed data and try to code it.

In this module I will discuss ideas on writing in qualitative research, I will discuss mixing methods and talk about the ethical issues you should consider.

In this module there's no new material. The only requirement in this module is that you finish up the final peer review assignment.

This is the final module, where you can apply everything you've learned up until now in the final exam. Please note that you can only take the final exam once every day, so make sure you are fully prepared to take the test. Please follow the honor code and do not communicate or confer with others taking this exam. Good luck! Once you've taken the exam, please consider doing the other courses in our specialisation track. I hope it was an enjoyable experience. If it was, please consider joining in with the Massive Open Online Research by my colleague Christian Bröer. Thanks for all your hard work, feedback and interpretations, the course team and your fellow learners really appreciate it!