Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE CLS1114

 
TITLE Qualitative Research Methods

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Centre for Labour Studies

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit enable students to familiarise themselves with the broad aspects of qualitative research methods. Through this study-unit students will be able to understand the nature of qualitative research and how it differs from quantitative. The topics will cover the most important aspects of qualitative research including: how to construct the Interview Guide, how to carry out qualitative interviews; and how to analyse the data using Thematic Analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006). The study-unit will also discuss elements of trustworthiness in qualitative research and will discuss the ethical considerations surrounding such studies.

Study-Unit Aims:

- To familiarise participants with the fundamental aspects of qualitative research, discussing their strengths and weaknesses;
- To help participants develop skills and approaches necessary to carry out a basic qualitative research study;
- To help participants learn how to develop tools to gather, analyse and discuss qualitative data;
- To teach participants the basics of how to write a qualitative research report.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative methodologies and how they differ from quantitative;
- Appreciate the different stages of conducting qualitative research;
- Construct an Interview Guide and comprehend the process involved in conducting a qualitative interview;
- Analyse and interpret the data using Thematic Analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006);
- Write the research report;
- Comprehend issues related to the trustworthiness and reliability of qualitative research;
- Appreciate the ethical considerations surrounding qualitative research.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Structure a qualitative research paper / report;
- Carry out a literature review;
- Develop the Interview Guide;
- Conduct face to face interviews using open ended questions;
- Do the verbatim transcripts;
- Conduct the analysis on the principles of Thematic Analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006);
- Evaluate the trustworthiness and reliability of qualitative research;
- Write a qualitative research report;
- Incorporate ethical considerations with the study.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2013). Successful Qualitative Research - A Practical Approach. London:Sage.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Research Paper SEM1 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Anna Borg

 

 
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Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit