Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module BUSI4W615: Qualitative Research Methods II

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI4W615: Qualitative Research Methods II

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2012/13 Module Cap None.

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • As specified in Special Regulations

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • Familiarise students with more recent approaches in advanced qualitative research (including audio and video data analysis, discourse analysis, narrative analysis, and the use of software tools for analyzing documents) and effective ways to mix qualitative and quantitative methods;
  • Provide opportunities for students to develop and extend further their skills in the practical application of the most recent advanced qualitative data analysis techniques.

Content

  • Discourse analysis
  • Narrative analysis
  • Using video and visual data
  • Analysing qualitative data
  • Using NVivo
  • Mixing qualitative and quantitative methods
  • Identifying an appropriate research project using these methods
  • Writing convincingly for journals and other scholarly outlets
  • Research ethics

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • have gained an understanding and critical awareness of the nature and scope of more recent approaches in advanced qualitative research within business and management (including audio and video data analysis, discourse analysis, narrative analysis, and the use of software tools for analyzing documents);
  • be able to critically review scholarly literature relating to more recent approaches in qualitative research within business and management, and be able to provide a critique and discuss issues relevant to their own research;
  • be aware of and sensitive to the ethical aspects of more recent approaches in qualitative research;
  • have developed knowledge of the social, political and practical context and uses of more recent approaches in qualitative research.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • be able to effectively organise, structure and manage a complex research project at an advanced level, using more recent approaches in qualitative research;
  • be aware of, and familiar with, the facilities available for conducting specialised qualitative research using more recent approaches;
  • have developed skills in the use of at least one qualitative data analysis software package;
  • have developed the ability to operate independently on a specialised research topic using more recent approaches in qualitative research, and to exercise appropriate judgement in the selection of material.
Key Skills:
  • have the ability to critically review a specialised area of knowledge and apply it in complex situations;
  • have the capacity for sustained independent work and learning at an advanced level and the ability to learn through critical reflection on practice and experience;
  • be able to think independently, including problem-solving ability and the ability to operate and exercise appropriate judgement in complex and specialised contexts;
  • be able to organise complex sets of data, abstract meaning from information, and communicate the results to peers, making appropriate use of Communication and Information Technology;
  • have the ability to accept a high level of personal responsibility, including an ability to evaluate and resolve any ethical dilemmas which may arise, in research and professional practice.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • A combination of lectures, seminars and group work will contribute to achieving the aims and learning outcomes of this module. Summative assessment by two written assignments will test students' ability to design a research project applying what they have learned in the module. These seek to test the ability of the student to identify relevant research issues and questions, critically assess relevant research literature and apply appropriate analytical techniques.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshops 10 Weekly 3 hours 30
Preparation and Reading 120
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written assignments Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written assignment 1500 words maximum 50%
Written assignment 1500 words maximum 50%

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment, and feedback, may take a number of forms such as oral feedback on work prepared by students for workshops; answers to questions discussed during workshops, or posted on DUO; discussions with teaching staff during consultation hours, or via e-mail.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University