M.INC.SOCI.602: Social Science Research Methods (Qualitative)

Learning outcome

The course will allow the student to examine critically and engage in a variety of qualitative methods of data collection and analysis used to conduct social research. You will learn these methods by doing a field study of one group or setting for the duration of the subject. We shall focus on the theory and techniques of intensive interviewing and participant observation by discussing students’ field notes in class, doing exercises in class, reading and discussing literature on qualitative methodology, and examining exemplars of qualitative research. In addition, we shall discuss the process of writing a social scientific report based on qualitative research. Anyone wishing to use qualitative social research methods in his or her thesis research should take this subject.Prescription: A study of the theory and practice of qualitative social scientific research. Special attention will be given to the theory and practice of participant observation, intensive interviewing, life histories, and document analysis.