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224.690.01
Qualitative Research I: Theory and Methods

Location
East Baltimore
Term
3rd Term
Department
International Health
Credit(s)
5
Academic Year
2014 - 2015
Instruction Method
TBD
Class Time(s)
Tu, Th, 8:30 - 10:20am
Lab Times
Thursday, 3:30 - 5:20pm (01)
Friday, 3:30 - 5:20pm (02)
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

224.689
Satisfactory completion of Qualitative Research Theory and Methods (224.690) is required for registration for Qualitative Data Analysis (224.691).

Description
First of a two-term sequence (with 224.691), which introduces students to qualitative research and provide them with practical skills for conducting research in domestic and international settings. Provides an overview of theoretical foundations of qualitative research and different approaches to qualitative inquiry, including programmatic qualitative research, grounded theory, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, and narrative and case study approaches. Covers how to formulate qualitative research questions and how to design a qualitative research study. Provides description and practice in different qualitative data collection methods, including in-depth interviews, focus groups, and observation. To develop qualitative research skills, the course includes a significant group project component where students design and conduct hands-on local fieldwork projects, which must go through school ethical review and approval.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify epistemological differences between qualitative and quantitative research paradigms
  2. Differentiate between various approaches to qualitative inquiry, including ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, and narrative and case study approaches
  3. Formulate appropriate qualitative research questions and design a qualitative research study
  4. Describe and use multiple methods for the collection of qualitative data, including interviews, focus groups, and observation
  5. Articulate the relative appropriateness of different types of data collection for a particular study
  6. Discuss issues related to data quality and strategies for improving data quality
  7. Describe adaptations necessary when conducting research in other cultural and linguistic settings
Multiterm
Final grade applies to all terms
Special Comments

Required to take both 224.690 and 224.691; no grade given until both courses are completed.
Letter grade only, no pass/fail allowed.