Магистратура 2018/2019

Основы социальных исследований: качественная и смешанная методология

Статус: Курс по выбору (Политический анализ и публичная политика)

Направление: 41.04.04. Политология

Кто читает: Кафедра публичной политики

Где читается: Факультет социальных наук

Когда читается: 1-й курс, 2, 3 модуль

Формат изучения: без онлайн-курса

Преподаватели: Пархоменко Сергей Анатольевич

Прогр. обучения: Политический анализ и публичная политика

Язык: английский

Кредиты: 4

Контактные часы: 44

Course Syllabus

Abstract

Qualitative and Mixed Methods” is to assist students in developing clear understanding of the applications for qualitative research methodology in public policy research. The course focuses on the fundamental aspects of planning and de- signing public policy research by the means of qualitative methods. It analyses the advantages and dis- advantages of the qualitative research methodology and proposes strategies of strengthening qualitative research designs. The course does not cover statistics, regressions analysis, etc. but provides a complex perspective on the potential of the mixed-methods approach to the research methodology.

Learning Objectives

• Creating methodological basis for research in public policy sphere
• Forming understanding of qualitative in comparison with quantitative research methodology
• Developing conceptual understanding of the qualitative research planning and design
• Studying methods of qualitative research: different types of interviews, focus groups, participant observation, case study and others
• Proposing a practical perspective on combining qualitative and quantitative methods in developing mixed-methods research designs
• Creating practical skills of using qualitative data in public policy

Expected Learning Outcomes

• As a results, students should be able to collect and interpret qualitative data to analyze public policy phenomena and processes.
• As a results, students should know key instruments of qualitative methods in social research, its genres, specifics and conditions of implementation.
• As a results, students should acquire the skills for usage of different methods of collecting and analyzing qualitative data.

Course Contents

• Design and Logic of Qualitative Research
  Principles of research for social sciences. Qualitative and quantitative social research: comparative advantages and limitations. Kinds and genres of qualitative research. Research ethics. Planning and designing a qualitative research project. Literature review, research problem, research purpose, research question, research tasks and qualitative research design.
• Interview: types and techniques
  Types of interviews. Interviews with experts. Organization and holding of expert survey: steps, meth- ods and conditions of selection of experts, problems of access tools. Focus Groups. Indepth interviews. Drafting of the questionnaire: open-ended questions, understanding and interpretation. Making ar- rangements for interviewing. Requirements for the interviewer.
• Observation
  Kinds of observation. Observing and participating. Reasons for using observation for data collection? Advantages and disadvantages of using participant observation. Planning and organizing participant observation. Keeping and analyzing field notes and writing up the findings. Ethical issues.
• Secondary and Specialized Methods and Data Analyzing/Interpreting
  Content analysis and archival analysis. Life histories and narrative inquiry. Historical analysis. Films, videos, and photography. Internet research. Interaction analysis. Combining data collection methods. Analyzing qualita- tive data.

Assessment Elements

• Active participation
• Essay
• Group presentation
• Final Essay

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (3 module)
  0.2 * Active participation + 0.2 * Essay + 0.4 * Final Essay + 0.2 * Group presentation

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Alan Bryman, & The Programme Aims. (2001). Social research methods. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.151A861A

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Saldaña, J. (2011). Fundamentals of Qualitative Research. New York: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=355780
• Seale, C. (2007). Qualitative Research Practice. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=775811