Fall qualitative methodology course for doctoral students
CCFI 565a/EDCP 585a: Advanced Seminar in Qualitative Research
(counts as a 600 level course for CCFI student requirements)
Winter 1, 2014
Class Time: W 1-4pm
Professor Lisa W. Loutzenheiser,
Course Description and Objectives
This participant driven course is an intensive workshop/course for doctoral students. We will develop your individual components (likely in groups) at the beginning of the term, selecting readings that are appropriate to the needs of students in the course. Students will present their own work and critique the work of their student colleagues. Terms of evaluation will be negotiated individually with each student, in light of the nature and timetable of each project.
The course is appropriate for all doctoral students in second year and above including those (1) working toward comprehensive questions in methodologies; 2) assembling proposals for qualitative dissertations; and/or (3) collecting/analyzing qualitative data for their doctoral projects. How will you get ready to undertake your doctoral dissertation research? What do you think you need to know, learn and experience before you do this work? This course is designed to help you gain the skills and knowledges you need and question the underpinnings of such desires. This is a course focused on both methodological theory and gaining skills in qualitative methods. It is not, however, a survey course as I hope you have gained that knowledge prior to this. This is a focused exploration of a variety of skills and theories as it pertains to your projects.
Prerequisite: at least one doctoral-level course in qualitative research methods/methodologies.
Objectives:
♣Identify the epistemological underpinnings to your chosen methodologies and apply this to developing an analytical theoretical framework.
♣Project (in part) the ethical issues and dilemmas that may be associated with various phases of your proposed research and discuss how you expect to work with such challenges
♣Be able to analyze your skills in conducting high quality qualitative research
♣Design and conduct a plan to improve skills and thinking in these areas. Select and assess different means for recording qualitative data: prerecorded, recorded (manual and automatic), and non-recorded (from human memory).
♣Apply the qualitative research skills you are developing in critically analyzing your own and others’ proposals and completed studies. Identify and apply the alternative standards used to assess qualitative research.
This course may be audited, however the workshop format is key to success and therefore is necessary for auditors.