Postgraduate Course: Analysing Qualitative Data (PGSP11110)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This practical and hands-on course provides an introduction to the main issues involved in the management and analysis of qualitative data and the use of Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis software (CAQDAS).
Please note this is a web-based course supported by lectures, workshops and lab-based classes. Students are expected to work through exercises and readings in their own time.
The course is designed to complement the existing core research skills courses, to provide a foundation for students wishing to pursue intermediate and advanced qualitative skills training and to provide students with an introductory course in the management and analysis of qualitative data and the use of qualitative data analysis software. |
| Course description |
This practical and hands-on course aims to give postgraduate students an understanding of qualitative data analysis and experience of using Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) NVivo. The course is designed for students who have little or no experience in qualitative data analysis or in the use of CAQDAS software. The course will consider the use of primary and secondary qualitative data and will introduce the theoretical, methodological and software issues relating to good qualitative research practice. Students will be introduced to the processes of qualitative data analysis including how to manage, code and retrieve qualitative data.
Outline Content
Block 1 - Introductory Session and coding workshop
Beginning your analysis The aim of the first part of the course is to introduce you to qualitative data and to the data that we will use during this course. It will get you thinking about good research practice and some of the conventions of qualitative research. You will also be introduced to the use of CAQDAS as part of data analysis. Finally in block 1 you will start to keep a research diary. Block one will have an introductory lecture and a workshop session.
Block 2 - 4 lab based sessions
Getting to Grips with your data Block 2 focuses on what to do with your data and gives you the opportunity to try out the CAQDAS package NVivo. You will practice making sense of your data through coding, categorisation and comparison and will be encouraged to reflect, in your research diary, on the process of managing and understanding your data. Block 2 will have 4 lab-based sessions. The sessions will give you a thorough grounding in the use of the CAQDAS package - NVivo. You will be taught the basics of data management and will practice coding and retrieving your data using the software. The final lab session will consider more advanced features use and will give you the chance to try some of more sophisticated software tools.
Block 3 - 3 analysis workshops
The process of analysis The final part of the course moves towards the process of developing your analysis and will provide an overview of analytical strategies. During block 3 the bulk of your efforts will be focused on completing your own analysis of a small set of qualitative data as part of the course assessment. Block 3 will have a 2 sessions that will focus on real examples of the processes and challenges of analysing qualitative data. The third session of the block will be a workshop during which students will be given the opportunity to discuss their approach to analysis, reflect on their use of CAQDAS and think about the analytical challenges posed by qualitative research.
This is a mix of lectures, workshops and lab-based classes. Students are expected to work through exercises and readings in their own time. The course is cross-discipline and open to students with backgrounds in social sciences, natural sciences and the humanities.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 40 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
The course assessment takes the form of a 4,000 word analysis exercise. |
| Feedback |
Self-tests and practical exercises which students will work through during the course will build towards the final assessment in the form of a written research report. Students will be required to complete an analysis of a nominated set of data and critically reflect on their data management and analysis and on their use of CAQDAS software. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Have an understanding of types of primary and secondary qualitative data
- Have been introduced to some of the theoretical, methodological and software issues relating to good qualitative research practice
- Understand the processes of qualitative data analysis including how to manage, code and retrieve qualitative data
- Have been introduced to CAQDAS packages and their use
- Practice using the CAQDAS package NVivo 10 on their own data
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Reading List
Bazeley, P (2007) Qualitative Data Analysis with NVivo London http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/elearninggallery/qualda/ereserve2011/Bazeley155_PGSP11110.pdf, London Sage
Flick, Uwe (2009) An introduction to qualitative research London Sage pp 427 - 421
Gibbs, G. (2002) Qualitative Data Analysis: Exploration with NVivo http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/elearninggallery/qualda/pdf/GibbsChap9.pdf Open University Press
Miles, M. B. & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook, http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/elearninggallery/qualda/ereserve2011/Miles245_PGSP11110.pdf 2nd Ed. Thousand Oaks, Sage
Richards, L (2005) Handling Qualitative Data: a practical guide http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/elearninggallery/qualda/ereserve2011/Richards133_PGSP11110.pdf, London, Sage
Richards, L (2007) READ ME FIRST for a User's Guide to Qualitative Methods http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/elearninggallery/qualda/ereserve2011/Richards85_PGSP11110.pdf London, Sage |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Qualitative Data Analysis,CAQDAS software |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Jackie Gulland
Tel: (0131 6)50 8256
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Nicole Develing-Bogdan
Tel: (0131 6)51 5067
Email: |
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