Imagining Social Worlds: Qualitative Research

Module title	Imagining Social Worlds: Qualitative Research
Module code	SOC1047
Academic year	2021/2
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Sally Atkinson (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	95

Module description

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of social research in practice, via a detailed exploration of a core methodological tool of qualitative social science – the research interview. Using real examples of published studies and the UK Data Archive, you will investigate how interview data can answer research questions, developing insights into how research participants understand their own lives in various social contexts. You will then develop your own research investigation, through which you will develop key qualitative methodological skills such as writing an interview schedule, active listening during the interview process, transcription, interpretation and thematic data analysis.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The primary aim of the module is to equip you with a foundational understanding of qualitative research methodology which can be appropriately built upon during the following years of your degree. It will do this through a close focus on research interviewing, in which you will have an opportunity to practice these methods and reflect on them. It will help you develop independence in your wider approach to learning. You will learn how to engage in the research process, covering the preparatory stages including sampling, the appropriate application of the method and, finally, data analysis. Through constructive seminar discussions you will build a sense of familiarity with research interviewing and confidence in undertaking practical qualitative research.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. demonstrate knowledge of key methods in social research
2. demonstrate a practical mastery of research interviewing
3. demonstrate knowledge of qualitative data analysis techniques

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

4. demonstrate an understanding of key strengths and weaknesses of key methods in social research
5. critically reflect on the application of research interviewing with an aim of improving future practice

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

6. undertake independent study effectively
7. evaluate your strengths and weaknesses in learning and study skills and to take action to improve your capacity to learn
8. communicate effectively in written and verbal form
9. Work effectively as part of a team

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

What does research interviewing look like?
Asking and answering research questions with interviews
Sampling and research ethics
The interview in process – active listening, power relations and reflexivity
Transcription
Qualitative data analysis.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
27	123	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	22	11 x two-hour lecture/seminar sessions
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	5	5x 1 hour tutorials
Guided independent study	37	Preparation for group projects/seminars
Guided independent study	51	Researching and writing critical analysis
Guided independent study	35	Researching and writing thematic analysis report

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Group project video abstract	5 min video	1-9	In-class verbal feedback and peer feedback via Padlet
Interview practice	10 min interview	1-8	In-class verbal feedback
Thematic coding framework	Coding list + example text	1-9	In-class verbal feedback and peer feedback via Padlet

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Critical analysis of research study	50	1500 word essay	1-9	Written and oral feedback
Thematic analysis report	50	2500 word report	1-9	Written and oral feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Critical analysis of research study	1500 word essay	1-9	August/September re-assessment period
Thematic analysis report	2500 word report	1-9	August/September re-assessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Core Texts

Lune, H., & Berg, B. L. (2017). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (9th ed). Harlow: Pearson

Magnusson, E., & Marecek, J. (2015). Doing Interview-based Qualitative Research: A Learner's Guide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Shon, P. C. (2015). How to read journal articles in the social sciences: A very practical guide for students (2^nd edition). London: Sage.

Supplementary Texts

Alvesson, M. (2010). Interpreting Interviews. London: SAGE Publications Ltd

Boynton, P. (2016) The Research Companion: A practical guide for those in the social sciences, health and development (2nd Edition). Routledge.

Brinkmann, S. (2013). Qualitative Interviewing. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Gilbert, N. and Stoneman, P. 2016 Researching Social Life. 4^th Edition. London: Sage

Gibbs, G. (2007). Analyzing Qualitative Data.

Guest, G., MacQueen, K., & Namey, E. (2018). Applied Thematic Analysis. Sage.

Guthrie, G. (2010). Basic research methods: An entry to social science research. SAGE Publications’

Robson, C., & McCartan, K. (2015). Real World Research (4th edition). Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.

Skinner, J. 2012. The Interview: An Ethnographic Approach. London: Berg.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

UK Data Archive: http://data-archive.ac.uk/

National Centre for Research Methods: https://www.ncrm.ac.uk/

The Research Companion: https://theresearchcompanion.com/resources/

Sage MethodSpace: https://www.methodspace.com/

Key words search

Qualitative research methods, research design, interviewing, qualitative data analysis, coding textual data

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	15
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	17/12/2018
Last revision date	12/08/2020