Course Description
Methodologies in psychology which use qualitative description and analysis. Methods emphasized: interviews, case study, and participant observation. Extensive use of video and computer technologies for data collection and analysis. Three class hours and two of field-based study.
Required Texts
Reserve Readings
The reserve readings will provide examples of qualitative studies and indepth discussion of several qualitative approaches. Chapters from the following texts will be on reserve in the library:
Recent articles published by the American Psychological Association with a qualitative approach.
Overview
This course seeks to grapple with the fundamentals of qualitative research design, data collection, and data analysis and to use new technologies to support this process. Qualitative methods have a significant place in psychology today as they have throughout the history and development of the discipline. In psychology (indeed across all fields in the natural and social sciences) research methods have been changing to accommodate new areas of study. This has been assisted by revolutionary developments in new technologies as well as innovative connections between disciplines (such as biology and psychology, mental health and genetics, business and psychology, education and psychology to name just a few examples--the list is growing quickly). Still, the fundamentals of any scientific methodology remain surprisingly the same: any method must answer the research question reliably and with validity as well as provide answers that are worth knowing. We will critically examine how qualitative methods meet these criteria.
We will also consider how these methods connect with quantitative methods and how these methodologies can be used in complementary ways. Although we will not study quantitative methods in this course we will be mindful of which questions might be better handled through statistical analysis (students are encouraged to take Psychology 365L Quantitative Methods in Psychology in the spring).
Project Format (Two Options)
Collaborative Option: As a class we--or two students together--will identify an area of study, design a study, and carry out data collection and analysis collaboratively throughout the semester.
Individual Option: Each student will identify an area of study, design a study, and carry out data collection and analysis individually throughout the semester.
Class Discussion
The seminar time will be spent discussing the required readings of that week as well as questions and issues for design and development of a qualitative study and the lab/field study section. Students are expected to fully read and explore each weekÕs assignment as preparation for carrying out the lab/field section.
Lab/Field Section
This is the applied/experiential component of the course. The two hour section will be spent in a variety of ways. We will develop interview questions, practice observational techniques, work collaboratively on writing up the weekly lab reports, video analysis and computer modeling exercises, and travel to our research site to conduct the study.
Student Learning Outcomes
¥ design and carry out a qualitative study; ¥ critically think through the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative methodologies; ¥ develop interview questions for groups and individuals; ¥ develop observational techniques; ¥ use video and computer technologies to conduct qualitative data collection and analysis; ¥ conduct analysis using videotapes (taped in the field); ¥ model interactions; ¥ code themes; ¥ present a completed study as a manuscript and as a presentation to a professional audience.
Course Assignments and Evaluation
¥ Weekly reading and discussion (10 %) ¥ Weekly lab/field assignment and write-up (40 %) Handed in weekly on Tuesday (First Lab/Field due September 15, last Lab/Field due, Dec. 1) ¥ Research Proposal (10 %) Due October 20 in class, but can be handed in earlier for feedback ¥ Final Paper (35 %) Due on final exam day; Wednesday, December 16 by 10:00 pm , but can be handed in earlier for feedback ¥ Oral Presentation which makes use of technology (5 %) 15 minutes in length plus 10 minutes for class discussion. Tuesday, December 8
READING ASSIGNMENTS AND DUE DATES
Reading assignments will be discussed on the day they are listed below.
SEPTEMBER:
1: Introductions, overview of course and requirements, and introductory discussion of ÒWhat is Qualitative Research?Ó
8: ¥ Qualitative Research Design Chapter 1, ÒA Model for Qualitative Research DesignÓ pp. 1 - 13. ¥ Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials Chapter 1, ÒEntering the Field of Qualitative Research,Ó pp. 1 - 31.
15: ¥ Qualitative Research Design Chapter 2, ÒPurposes: Why Are You Doing This Study?Ó pp. 14 - 24. Lab/Field #1 write-up due 22: ¥ Qualitative Research Design Chapter 3, ÒConceptual Context: What Do You Think Is Going On?Ó pp. 25 - 48. ¥ Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials Chapter 8, ÒUsing Computers in Qualitative Research,Ó pp. 211 - 245 Lab/Field #2 write-up due
29: ¥ Qualitative Research Design Chapter 4, ÒResearch Questions: What Do You Want To Understand?Ó pp. 49 - 62; Chapter 5, ÒMethods: What Will You Actually Do?Ó pp. 63 - 85. Lab/Field #3 write-up due
OCTOBER:
6: ¥ Qualitative Research Design Chapter 6, ÒValidity: How Might You Be Wrong?Ó pp. 86 - 98; Chapter 7, ÒResearch Proposals: Presenting and Justifying a Qualitative StudyÓ pp. 99 - 115; Appendix A: An Example of a Qualitative Proposal, pp. 116 - 137. ¥ Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials Chapter 10, ÒCriteria for Assessing Interpretive Validity in Qualitative Research,Ó pp. 283 - 312. Lab/Field #4 Write-up due
13: Fall Break
20: ¥ Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials Part 1, ÒMethods of Collecting and Analyzing Empirical Materials,Ó pp. 35 - 46; Chapter 2, ÒInterviewing: The Art of Science,Ó pp. 47 - 78. Research Proposal Due in class
27:¥ Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials Chapter 3, ÒObservational Techniques,Ó pp. 79 - 105; Chapter 6, ÒPersonal Experience Methods,Ó pp. 150 - 176. Lab/Field #5 Write-up due
NOVEMBER:
3: ¥ Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials Chapter 5, ÒOn the Authority of the Image: Visual Methods at the CrossroadsÓ pp. 130 - 147; Chapter 4, ÒThe Interpretation of Documents and Material Culture,Ó pp. 110 - 128 Lab/Field #6 Write-up due 10: ¥ Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials Chapter 12, ÒWriting: A Method of Inquiry,Ó pp. 345 - 371 Lab/Field #7 Write-up due
17: ¥ Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials Chapter 13, ÒQualitative Program Evaluation: Practice and Promise,Ó pp. 373 - 399 Lab/Field #8 Write-up due
24: ¥ Selected Readings: Lightfoot, Coles, Behar, Lather, Goldman-Segall, Muñoz Lab/Field #9 Write-up due
DECEMBER:
1: ¥ Selected Readings: Lightfoot, Coles, Behar, Lather, Goldman-Segall, Muñoz Lab/Field #10 Write-up due
8: Oral Presentations