| CODE | GDM5114 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Qualitative Research Methods in Dementia Studies | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Gerontology and Dementia Studies | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will provide participants with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills for understanding, designing and implementing qualitative research within the field of ageing and dementia, at post-graduate level. This study-unit will discuss the overarching issues in qualitative research methods, namely the relevance of qualitative inquiry to real world professional work, the different types of problems that give rise to research questions, and how different research questions relate to different qualitative designs. Ethical issues in qualitative research will also be addressed. In addition, the conceptualisation, design, strategies and techniques for qualitative data collection, analysis and reporting will be discussed. The study-unit will include a focus on several qualitative approaches, including Thematic Analysis, Grounded Theory, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Discourse Analysis and Narrative Analysis among others. Qualitative data collection methods will also be explored, including the use of interviewing and focus groups. Participants will also be introduced to the use of computer aided qualitative data analysis software. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit is aimed at enabling participants to be able to evaluate qualitative research evidence and to conduct their own research in the field of ageing and dementia. Participants will be able to critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the use of qualitative approaches. They will also be able to understand those research concepts, designs, techniques and procedures necessary to plan, conduct and report rigorous and trustworthy qualitative research. It also aims at helping students become familiar with the use of computer software for qualitative data management and analysis. They will become familiar with the important issues in the use of different techniques of qualitative data collection and analysis, as well the relevant ethical issues associated with each step of the research process. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles underlying qualitative research in the field of ageing and dementia; • demonstrate awareness of the epistemological assumptions in qualitative research designs employed in ageing in dementia studies; • identify the characteristics of major qualitative research designs used within dementia research while being aware of their advantages and challenges; • determine when the use of these designs are appropriately especially with older people as well as persons with dementia; • demonstrate awareness of ethical issues in ageing and dementia research; • explain the use of trustworthiness and rigour criteria to ascertain quality in qualitative research. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • decide on the best qualitative research designs to approach ageing and dementia studies; • determine which qualitative research approach should be adopted for different qualitative research questions in the field of dementia; • apply different qualitative research approaches with appropriate critical rigour; • demonstrate familiarity with the use of data collection tools such as interviews, focus groups etc. that are utilised in the field of ageing, but also non traditional methods such as observational tools that are employed in the field of dementia studies; • demonstrate familiarity with several qualitative approaches such as the use of grounded theory, thematic, interpretative phenomenological analysis, narrative and discourse analysis; • decide and write appropriate, interview schedules in light of the objectives of ageing and dementia studies; • explain the benefits and challenges among the different qualitative approaches that are particularly adopted in dementia studies; • distinguish between challenges among different populations and sampling procedures in qualitative research in the field of ageing and dementia; • explain the process of analysis required within the different qualitative approaches; • manage qualitative data and be aware of qualitative data management software that are used in ageing as well as in dementia studies. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Keady, J., Hyden, L., Johnson, A. & Swarbrick, C. (2018). Social Research Methods in Dementia Studies: Inclusion and Innovation. New York: Routledge. - Cresswell, J.W., & Poth, C.N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. London: Sage. Supplementary/Optional Readings: - Leontowitsch, M. (2012). Researching Later Life and Ageing: Expanding Qualitative Research Horizons. London: Palgrave Macmillan. - Brinkman, S. & Kvale, S. (2017). Doing Interviews. London: Sage. - Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2013). Successful qualitative research: a practical guide for beginners. London: Sage. - Smith, J., Flowers, P. & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research. London: Sage. - Yin, R.K. (2018). Case study research and applications: design and methods. London: Sage. - Charmaz, K. (2006). Constructing Grounded Theory. A practical guide through qualitative analysis. London: Sage. - Coffey, A. (2018). Doing ethnography. London: Sage. - Flick, U. (2018). Managing Quality in Qualitative Research. London: Sage. - Flick, U. (2018). Designing Qualitative Research. London: Sage. - Barbour, R. (2018). Doing Focus Groups. London: Sage. - Rapley, T. (2018). Doing conversation, discourse and document analysis. London: Sage. - Mannay, D. (2016). Visual, narrative and creative research methods : application, reflection and ethics. London: Routledge. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Online Learning | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. 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. |
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