GSM004-Data Collection and Analysis 2: Interviewing & Observation

Module Provider: Faculty of Social Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Level: 7
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: Dr SR Bowlby
Pre-requisites: Enrolment onMPhil/ PhD degree or Research Masters Course
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: s.r.bowlby@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
To provide students with a broad overview of techniques of interviewing and ethnographic observation in social science

To provide students with an understanding of methods of analysing interview and ethnographic data

To encourage students to think critically about the methods employed in research

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students will gain an analytical and critical understanding of interviewing and survey methodology

Students will gain an analytical and critical understanding of methods of analyzing interview and ethnographic data

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:
Interview Structures and Techniques; introduction to qualitative research interviewing; ways of structuring interviews and asking questions; devising and using a topic guide in relation to a research question; issues of access (interviewing elite and ‘hard-to-reach’ participants); research ethics; methods of recording interviews.


Analysing and drawing conclusions from interview data; analysis of interview data using qualitative analysis techniques; identification of preliminary themes; construction and application of theoretical/ conceptual categories; summarising findings. Relating concepts of reliability, validity, and generalisability to qualitative research; how reliability and validity can be ensured when collecting qualitative data; examining claims made for the generalisability of findings based on qualitative data analysis.

Ethnographic observation techniques; introduction to ethnographic observation; ways of engaging in ethnographic observation; identifying ethnographic observation strategies in relation to a research question; issues of access (interviewing elite and ‘hard-to-reach’ participants); research ethics; methods of recording ethnographic observations; using ethnographic observation to investigate a research question.


Analysing Ethnographic Observation data using qualitative analysis techniques; identification of preliminary themes; construction and application of theoretical/ conceptual categories; summarising findings.

Using Data Analysis Software; comparative overview of software packages such as ATLAS.ti, MAXqda, QSR NVivo, N6, HyerResearch and QUALRUS; how software programmes differ in the way they handle the following aspects - handling 'data', data organization, closeness to data, output/ reporting, coding and alternative ways of handling analysis, expressing ideas in visual ways, transportation of projects, team work logistics.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lecture; group discussion; guided reading; review of research papers; group exercise on analysis of data

Contact hours:

Total hours

12 hours contact time, comprising 4 sessions of 3 hours each.

Assessment:
Assessment
Write an essay discussing the advantages and disadvantages of interviews and ethnographic observation as methods of data collection for the research topic or area you plan to address. Comment on the implications of using these methods of data collection for your data analysis.

Target length: 2 – 2,500 words; maximum permitted length 3,000 words (excluding lists of references).

Marking Criteria
1. Does the student show a good understanding of the techniques of interviewing and ethnographic observation?
2. Does the student understand the epistemological assumptions implicit in the use of these two approaches?
3. Is there evidence that the student has read and understood academic papers and books critically discussing these approaches?
4. Does the student show evidence of an ability to assess the literature critically?
5. Has the student been able to apply the general points about the two approaches to their own topic or academic area?
6. Is the essay clearly written and well structured?
7. Is the essay appropriately and correctly referenced?

Last updated: 9 December 2009