Introduction to Qualitative Methods

120 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject provides students with an introduction to the collection, display and analysis of qualitative data in applied research and evaluation studies. Topics that will be examined include: orientations to, and criticisms of, qualitative approaches; planning qualitative data collection using particular strategies and methods of data collection (such as interviews, focus groups, participant observation, case study, document analysis, and the use of video recordings); the use of systematic methods of data reduction, display and content analysis (using both hand methods and appropriate computer packages); and issues of trustworthiness and rigor in qualitative research.

The subject is delivered fully online and in a blended mode that combines online and face-to-face sessions.

On completion of this subject it is expected that students should be able to:
• understand how evaluation/research questions and appropriate data management techniques are linked;
• select and apply a range of key qualitative data collection techniques; and
• undertake simple management, analysis and report writing using small-scale qualitative data sets.

There are three pieces of assessment:

• Written task of 1500 words due in Week 4 (30% );
• Written task of 3000 words due at the end of the subject (60%);
• Class or forum participation throughout the semester (10%).

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.