MET532 Advanced Qualitative Methods

• Topics

  This course is designed to develop proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and reporting qualitative data, using a variety of qualitative tools and methods, including case studies, ethnography, and grounded theory. We use "how-to" books and articles that describe how to conduct qualitative research and analyze recent "exemplar" articles published in top-tier journals. The course is highly interactive. In addition to reading about methods and examining exemplars, students will practice crafting qualitative research to explore how it can effectively be used in their own dissertation projects. The course takes the students through the full cycle of qualitative research from research design to data collection, data analysis, writing it up and publishing.

  Week 1: Designing and collecting qualitative research

  * Design of qualitative studies

  * Ethical issues during data collection

  * Field work/Collecting data

  • Interviewing
  • Observations
  • Documents
  • Diaries
  • Visuals 

  Between week 1 and week 2 students are expected to collect some qualitative data for the course paper.

  Week 2: Interpreting and theorizing qualitative data

  * Coding practices and first-order analysis

  * Analyzing variance and processes

  * Analyzing and interpreting social interaction

  * The art of theorizing and theory development

  * Writing up and presenting qualitative data

  * Publishing qualitative research and making a theoretical contribution

• Learning outcome

  After completion of the course, the students will be able to:

  Knowledge

  • Critically evaluate advantages and disadvantages of different types of qualitative research.
  • Critically assess qualitative methods available and making appropriate methodological and analytical choices.
  • Critically consider a range of criteria to evaluate the quality of research and tactics.

  Skills

  • Formulate and present a first draft of a research paper using qualitative research methods.
  • Identify and formulate qualitative research designs and chose appropriate methods to answer their research questions.
  • Critically chose and evaluate appropriate strategies for analysing, theorising, and publishing from qualitative data.

  General competence

  • Communicate and discuss qualitative research in a clear cut manner.
  • Discuss and raise questions about methodological issues that are relevant to their theses and thereby develop their own research projects.

• Teaching

  Teaching is conducted as seminars and exercises over the course of two weeks. Active student participation is expected. 

• Restricted access

  Maximum number of participants: 20

  • PhD candidates at NHH
  • PhD candidates at Norwegian institutions
  • PhD candidates at other institutions
  • PhD candidates from the ENGAGE.EU alliance
  • Motivated master’s students at NHH may be admitted after application, but are subject to the approval from the course responsible on a case by case basis

• Credit reduction due to overlap

  None

• Compulsory Activity

  • Presentation of course paper during week II
  • Active student participation both weeks. Students are expected to actively take part in discussions, to take on the role of experts for assigned readings. Active participation requires attendance of minimum 80% of the class sessions.

  Compulsory activities (work requirements) are valid for one semester after the semester they were obtained.

• Assessment

  The course is assessed as pass/fail based on final course paper

  • Final course paper due early fall (typically mid-August)

• Grading Scale

  Pass/fail

• Computer tools

  Library databases, word processing, some knowledge in organizing data.

• Literature

  The literature consists of a reading package and online materials to conduct a `real-time´ learning experience that blends theory, analysis, interpretation and collegial interaction.

  Recommended books:

  Cresswell, John, W. 2013. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design, Choosing Among Five Approaches. Sage Publications.

  NHH uses Canvas as the online teaching platform. Lecture notes, announcements, resources, and other related material will be posted on Canvas. Each student has the responsibility to regularly check and download material from Canvas.

• Retake

  Re-take is offered the semester after the course was offered for students with valid compulsory activities (work requirements). Additionally, the students must fulfill one of the two requirements listed below in order to be eligible for re-take:

  • Students who, at the original exam failed or got a grade below C
  • Students who were sick on the day of the exam and has provided a valid sick note ("sykemelding")

  Students will have the opportunity to submit a revised version of their work for the re-take assessment. If a revised version of the work is submitted, this must be clearly indicated on the front page.