Postgraduate Course: Fieldwork Skills for Qualitative Social Research (PUHR11078)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course builds on the core concepts and ideas in qualitative research from Semester 1 core course Introduction to Qualitative Research on the MPH programme. There will be a significant practical aspect to the course with the aim that you will finish feeling confident to plan and conduct a research interview in a rigorous and ethical way. We will also spend time linking your interviewing skills to the underlying theoretical ideas introduced in the preceding core module. We will spend some time discussing the planning and conduct of focus groups, comparing this to qualitative interviews. This is essential preparation for students on the MPH programme conducting qualitative research for their dissertation project with fieldwork to generate primary data. However, the course is framed to be of relevance to anyone who is interested to learn more about qualitative research, to enable you take an active role in conducting qualitative research in your future work. |
| Course description |
This is a 5-week course worth 10 credits. Students will be provided with a structured reading list of core and further readings to support them in their learning. Each week will consist of lecture input highlighting the key concepts followed by space to discuss these concepts by applying them to examples of qualitative research. The key outcome of the course is for students to be able to independently conduct fieldwork for qualitative research that they might undertake during their current or future studies, or as part of future work. There is therefore a significant practical component to the course in the form of tutorial activities and conducting a qualitative interview. The preparation for and reflection on this activity will form the basis of the assignment and will be the subject of formative feedback in the tutorial and online activities. Peer feedback will be a central part of the formative feedback, so that students further their understanding of the topic and their achievement towards the course learning outcomes by observing and appraising the work of their colleagues.
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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 | Knowledge of qualitative research |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 60 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
| Course Start Date |
15/01/2018 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 6,
Online Activities 4,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
78 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Coursework 100 % consisting of a combination of written assessment and online assessment incorporating a variety of activities. |
| Feedback |
Individual feedback given for each of the written assignments, detailing on what was done well, and what could be improved on.
Online assessment would include blogs, and feedback online. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Design a topic guide for a qualitative research interview
- Plan and conduct a qualitative research interview in an ethical and rigorous manner
- Reflect on the interpersonal and intersubjective aspects of qualitative interviewing
- Discuss the differences in design, format and facilitation between interviews and focus groups
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
During this course students will have to demonstrate the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with others. Their knowledge and understanding of the topic will improve but they will also learn generic approaches/skills such as classifying information, critically analysing materials and evaluation skills. Since the course contains online elements, it will contribute to their IT, writing and communication skills. Finally, they will be expected to be able to bring together and draw from the information provided through the course during their essay writing. Competencies such as structuring of work and accurate referencing should improve. |
| Keywords | Qualitative research,Interviewing,Focus groups,Public health,Interpretive research |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Gemma Phillips
Tel:
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Stuart Mallen
Tel: (0131 6)50 3227
Email: |
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