RM 632
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
Summer 2009
R. DENNIS SHELBY, PHD
rdshelby@icsw.edu
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Welcome to Qualitative Research. The objectives of this course are:
1) Provide students with an introduction to the epistemology, techniques and the general world view of qualitative research;
2) Impart a basic working knowledge of the techniques of qualitative research
3) Provide an introductory experience using selected research techniques
4) Develop tools to critically evaluate qualitative research products
5) Help students decide if qualitative methodology is a good fit for their dissertation projects.
TEXT
BASICS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Corbin and Strauss 2008 3rd edtion. can be ordered at sagepub.com
GRADING CRITERIA
Grades will be based on
1) Class participation
2) In class critical report of a selected qualitative study or dissertation
3) Course project.
Qualitative research is a highly interactive process, this will be an interactive class. 50% of grade will be derived from class participation ( discussion of readings, critical report and presentation of course project and 50% from the final written report of the class project.
COURSE PROJECT
Students will select a question to explore and obtain data by interviewing three non vulnerable participants. 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 the ICSW IRB Guidelines. We will analyze data in class. The final report will be presented in class. The written report will be turned in no later than one week after the last class. The following outline is to be used when writing the report.
Statement and brief elaboration of the question explored
Researcher's interest in the question
Description of participants
Presentation of findings
Summary and analysis of findings
Reflections on data collection and analysis
COURSE OUTLINE
Class I
Introductions
Overview of course
In class assignment
Analysis and discussion of in class assignment
Discussion of Readings:
Scwandt, T (2000) Three epistemological stances for qualitative inquiry
Cresswell, C.(1998) Five qualitative traditions
Corbin and Strauss ( 2008) Basics of Qualitative Research, chaps 1-4
Discussion of course project/ IRB Procedure
Class 2
Report on project topic and strategy
Review consent forms
Readings:
Corbin and Strauss, chapters 5-11
Class 3
Report on project
Troubleshooting any issues that are evolving
Class analysis of data that is emerging from projects
Readings
Corbin and Strauss, chapters 12-15
Handouts on data analysis and evaluation
Class 4
Analysis of data from class project
Critical evaluation of selected qualitative study
Readings:
Gilgun, J. (1998) Like hand to glove.
Padgett, D. (1999) Does the glove really fit?
Bien, A.& Allen, K. (1999) Hand in glove
Drisco, J. (2001) How clinical social workers evaluate practice
Class 5
Grounded theory and clinical research
Phenomenology and clinical research
Narrative Analysis and clinical research
Biography and clinical research
Presentation of class project