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
Supplemental Reserve Readings
The reserve readings will provide examples of qualitative studies and in-depth discussion of several qualitative approaches. Chapters from the following texts will be on reserve in the library:
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 intersect with quantitative methods. 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 strongly 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, 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
Lab/Field exercises will be handed out weekly for you to carry out during the week and are due the following class. Expect to spend two hours in the field collecting data and then time typing up your notes, analyzing your data, creating models, using the technology, and generally working further with the data.
Student Learning Outcomes
¥ design and carry out a qualitative study which seeks to discover and understand an aspect of human behavior which is important to know more about;
¥ critically think through the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative methodologies;
¥ use interview, survey, ethnographic, case study, participant observer, and naturalistic observer techniques for data collection and analysis;
¥ use video and computer technologies to conduct data collection and analysis;
¥ generate conceptual models of human behavior and interactions which illustrate and help us think further about the research process and the data;
¥ present a completed study as a manuscript in APA format;
¥ give a presentation to the class as if we are a professional audience at the APA convention.
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 14, last Lab/Field due, Nov. 30)
¥ Research Proposal (10 %) Due October 19 in class, but can be handed in earlier for feedback
¥ Final Paper (35 %) Due on final exam day 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 7
READING ASSIGNMENTS AND DUE DATES
Reading assignments and Lab/Field work will be discussed on the days they are listed below.
Assignments handed in late will be graded down one grade per day late.
AUGUST 31:
1: Introductions, overview of course and requirements, and introductory discussion of ÒWhat is Qualitative Research?Ó
SEPTEMBER:
7: ¥ Qualitative Research Design Chapter 1, ÒA Model for Qualitative Research DesignÓ pp. 1 - 13.
¥ Qualitative Methods in Psychology Chapter 1, "Qualitative Research" pp. 1 - 16.
--Lab/Field 1 given out and discussed. All Lab/Fieldwork assignments will be given out and discussed a week before they are due
14: ¥ Qualitative Research Design Chapter 2, ÒPurposes: Why Are You Doing This Study?Ó pp. 14 - 24.
Lab/Field #1 write-up due
21: ¥ Qualitative Research Design Chapter 3, ÒConceptual Context: What Do You Think Is Going On?Ó pp. 25 - 48.
¥ Computer Analysis and Qualitative Research Chapter 3, ÒWhy Use Computers in Qualitative Research?Ó pp. 56 - 85
Lab/Field #2 write-up due
28: ¥ 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.
¥ Computer Analysis and Qualitative Research Chapter 4, ÒManaging Data in CAQDASÓ pp. 86 - 118 Lab/Field #3 write-up due
OCTOBER:
5: ¥ 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.
Lab/Field #4 Write-up due
12: Fall Break
19: ¥ Qualitative Methods in Psychology Chapter 3, ÒEthnographyÓ pp. 34 - 48
Research Proposal Due in class
26: ¥ Qualitative Methods in Psychology Chapter 4, ÒInterviewingÓ pp. 50 - 71
Lab/Field #5 Write-up due
NOVEMBER:
2: ¥ Qualitative Methods in Psychology Chapter 2, ÒObservationÓ pp.18 - 33
Lab/Field #6 Write-up due
9: ¥ Qualitative Methods in Psychology Chapter 5, ÒPersonal Construct ApproachesÓ pp. 72 - 91 Chapter 8, ÒFeminist ResearchÓ pp. 121 - 141
Lab/Field #7 Write-up due
16: ¥ Qualitative Methods in Psychology Chapter 6, ÒDiscourse AnalysisÓ pp. 92 - 107 Chapter 7, ÒAction ResearchÓ pp. 108 - 120
Lab/Field #8 Write-up due
23: ¥ Qualitative Methods in Psychology Chapter 10, ÒReport WritingÓ pp. 160 - 179 ¥ Computer Analysis and Qualitative Research Chapter 6, ÒManipulating Coding CategoriesÓ pp. 129 - 156 ¥ Selected Readings: Lightfoot, Coles, Behar, Lather, Goldman-Segall, Muñoz
Lab/Field #9 Write-up due
30: ¥ Selected Readings: Lightfoot, Coles, Behar, Lather, Goldman-Segall, Muñoz
Lab/Field #10 Write-up due
DECEMBER:
7: Oral Presentations
Due week of final exams: Final Research Report