Qualitative research methods

Basic knowledge of research methodology is expected. Prior to the course, students have already obtained some skills in social research methods. They are expected to understand the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods, and between various paradigms.

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Scope of the course: broad introduction to qualitative methods in social research and to their practical use.

Key issues: basics of the qualitative research process; qualitative research tools; main research problems in qualitative research; qualitative text and image analysis; inductive ways of building theories, qualitative comparative analysis, and process tracing.

The significant part of the workshop is devoted to the introduction of the Maxqda software. At the later stage. the students will be asked to conduct their own research project, mastering practical skills in qualitative content analysis (one of the introduced methods).

The course will cover the following topics:

1) Single case study. Spaces, places and political events as objects of political research. Case selection

2) Reading “Marienthal”: Case study in social policy

3) Non-comparative small N studies. People and their experiences as objects of political research. Individual in-depth interviews and focus groups

4) Postivisitic methods in social and public policy: process tracing

5) Interpretive approach in social and public policy: narrative research methods

6) Media and political communication as objects of political research

7) Political discourse as an object of political research

8) Content analysis: an overview

9) Designing own research project: qualitative content analysis of political text. Sampling and organizing text for analysis

10) Inductive coding. 1st cycle of coding. Coding procedures. Memos

11) 2nd cycle of coding. Developing themes/categories

12) Text retrieval. From codes and memos to a research paper. Quoting, arguing, interpreting, synthesising

13) Research projects’ presentations and discussion

14) Basics of Qualitative Comparative Analysis

15) Qualitative Comparative Analysis in practice

Schreier, M. (2012). Qualitative content analysis in practice. Sage

McNabb, D. E. (2010). Research Methods for Political Science: quantitative and qualitative approaches

J. Saldana (2013), Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers

Upon the completion of the course, the student:

K_W02 Knows the major methods of collecting, analysing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data used in the process of designing and analysing political processes P6S_WG

K_U01 Knows how to design and execute a complex social research project, especially focused on social diagnosis. They are able to select appropriate advanced tools and methods, including analytical ones, as well as to formulate research questions, collect data, and justify their choices P6S_UW

K_U03 Knows how to precisely identify the economic, social, economic and cultural determinants of specific social phenomena, and apply various approaches and theories in interpreting the relationships between phenomena P6S_UW

K_U06 Knows how to prepare and present a written and oral presentation focusing on a selected social problem, including complex and unusual ones, and propose solutions to it P6S_UK

K_K02 Is ready to plan and organize their work when contributing to a group assignment. The student also is able to practically assess, as well as take responsibility, for the effects of this work in the broader social environment. This includes carrying out complex research and implementation-focused tasks in an international and intercultural context P6S_KO

K_K03 Is able to critically assess available information, which includes identification of disinformation, propaganda and hate speech in the public debates P6S_KK

1) Active attendance is required: please have no more than 3 absences in the semester (20% of the grade)

2) Qualitative research project and its oral presentation (80% of the grade)

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