Qualitative Methods for Evaluation

This subject is not offered in 2014.

120 hours. Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs/online classes) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

This subject is open to students in the Master of Evaluation, Master of Evaluation Research, and Postgraduate Certificate in Evaluation.

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 Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison website: 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.

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.

• Online participation (discussion forum and/or activities) equivalent to 1500 words throughout semester, 30%
• Online test equivalent to 1500 words, due mid-semester, 30%
• Written task of 2000 words, due end of semester, 40%

Patton, M.Q.(2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods (3rd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.