Qualitative Research Methods: RM 632
James N. Lampe, Ph.D.
Fall, 2011
jameslampe@msn.com
773-665-1380
Required text:
Cresswell, J(2007). Qualitative Inquiry: Choosing among five approaches. New York, Sage Publications. (This is the second edition)
Goals
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Understand the nature of qualitative research and provide students with an introduction to the epistemology and general view of qualitative research.
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Provide a working knowledge of the methodology and techniques of qualitative research.
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Develop a working knowledge of the skills for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data.
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Develop tools to critically evaluate qualitative research.
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Provide students with tools to discern when and how to use qualitative methodology when planning dissertation projects.
Evaluation
Evaluation for grade includes class participation, oral presentations, and written assignments.
Class participation and discussion is evaluated as 40% of your overall grade. It includes evidence of reading assigned papers and chapters. Class participation includes showing up.
Oral report for assignment one; 10%,
Oral presentation of course project; 10%,
Written paper for course project 40%
The oral presentation for the first assignment is due in the 6th class.
The oral presentation of final projects is due the last class. Written paper for final project is due no more than one week following the last class. They can be submitted in Word via email.
Assignments
Readings for each class as noted on syllabus.
Oral report for assignment 1: Review an ICSW qualitative dissertation. Evaluate its strength and weakness. 2-5 pages.
These questions should be answered.
- What is the research question?
- What is the rationale or purpose of the study?
- Describe the methodology including how data is collected and analysed, the participants, and the questions asked.
- What type of qualitative study is this?
- What are the findings and how are they presented?
- What are the main elements of the discussion.
- Comment on how this study self-evaluates and discuss your thoughts about evaluation.
- Summarize strengths and weakness .
Assignment 2: Course project, with oral presentation and written assignment to be handed in.
Students will select a question to explore and obtain data by interviewing three non vulnerable participants. Formulate a topic suitable for grounded theory or phenomenological research. The topic and population will be approved by the instructor prior to interviewing. Informed consent forms must be constructed and obtained for all participants according to ICSW IRB guidelines. Data analysis will be discussed in class. The final report will be presented in class.
Written and oral assignment will include
1. Statement of the topic, and elaboration of the question to be explored.
2. Researcher’s interest in the question or brief description of background.
3. Short description of methodology with description of participants
4. Presentation of data, analysis and findings.
5. Summarize your data analysis and findings.
6. Reflections on the process.
Oral presentation will be a 15 minute discussion summarizing each of the above areas.
CLASS POLICIES
Reading
The learning in this class takes place mostly between the assigned readings and class lectures and discussions about the material. The readings are designed to provide a foundation in the subject matter, which will then be further explained and discussed in class. It is expected that everyone will do the reading and bring any questions or reactions to class.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend class, be on time, and participate in discussion. For on line class sessions, this means students are expected to be in front of their camera by start of class time and utilize the microphone to participate. If a student needs to miss a class, please let the instructor know with an email or phone message. More than two missed classes could result in an incomplete grade. Attendance is generally mandatory except in emergencies and/or pre-arranged with the instructor.
Class 1: Getting acquainted with Qualitative research. On-site class.
Introductions
Review syllabus and class assignments.
Includes Course projects, and IRB procedure; participants and consents.
Discussion, readings.
Creswell, Chapters 1-5
Schwandt; Three Epistemological Stances (scan).
Discussion of topics for course project and IRB forms.
Class 2: Understanding qualitative work, qualitative traditions, and focusing qualitative study: defining methodology.
Discussion, readings.
Creswell. Chapter 6.
Lyons and Cole, Grounded theory (scan).
Discuss class assignments, topics to be defined and discussed.
Class 3: Data
Discussion, readings
Creswell, Chapter 7
Corbin and Strauss; Chapter 6, Memos and Diagrams (scan).
Discuss class assignments: problems and questions getting started.
Class 4: Data and Analysis
Discussion, readings
Creswell, Chapter 8
Charmaz, Chapter 5 (Scan) Theoretical Sampling Saturation and Sorting
Discuss class assignments
Class 5: Evaluation of Qualitative Study. On site class.
Creswell, Chapter 10
Corbin and Strauss; Criteria for Evaluation (Scan)
Assignment due: Oral reports due, review of a Qualitative ICSW dissertation.
Discuss class assignments; data analysis.
Class 6: Evaluation
Reading:
Creswell; Appendix B, C and D ( Read these studies and be prepared to discuss and evaluate using the same criteria used in the first assignment.)
Creswell, Chapter 9
Charmaz Chapter 7 Writing the Draft.
Discuss class assignments; data analysis and findings.
Class 7: Summary and class assignments.
Student presentations of class assignment.
References
Charmaz, K. (2006). Constructing grounded theory; a practical guide through qualitative analysis. Thousands Oaks, Sage.
Corbin, J. and Strauss, A. (2008). Basics of qualitative research 3e.Thousands Oaks, Sage.
Lyons, E. and Coyle, A. (2007). Analyzing qualitative data in psychology. Thousands Oaks, Sage.