Qualitative Methods and Research Planning

On completion of this course the students should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The student has in-depth knowledge of:

• Different knowledge paradigms and explanatory models, and their implications for choice of methodological strategy
• Key concepts within quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods, as well as literature reviews
• Ethical principles in research and their application in quantitative and qualitative research
• Different approaches to qualitative research
• Characteristics and appropriate use of a range of qualitative methods/techniques
• Different approaches to analysing qualitative data
• Trustworthiness and reflexivity in qualitative research
• Ethics throughout the research procedure
• The requirements for the master's thesis proposal

Skills:

The student has the ability to:

• Design an interview guide and conduct an in-depth interview and use at least two other qualitative data collection methods/techniques
• Code and analyse qualitative data
• Evaluate ethical procedures related to research design and data collection
• Design a research project and write a project plan

General competence:

The student:

• Can critically, analytically and systematically evaluate research literature (both qualitative and quantitative)
• Can communicate and discuss different qualitative research designs and account for their respective advantages and uses
• Can make qualified choices between different qualitative research methods
• Can collaborate professionally in groups