This masters' course introduces students to the philosophical approach, methods, and challenges associated with conducting this form of inquiry. This course is an exploration of the history and philosophical assumptions undergirding various genres, designs, theories, methods, and issues of ethics and rigor associated with both qualitative and quantitative research in education and related fields. This is not a techniques course but rather one that engages students in an in-depth overview of research paradigms through readings and discussions. This constitutes an introductory doctoral level course. This course investigates the traditions, philosophies, and techniques of qualitative research, including participant observation, interviewing, and document analysis.
Students practice qualitative techniques and engage in preliminary data analysis.
This course focuses on various approaches to qualitative data analysis, including the use of computer applications. Additional attention is given to issues of writing, representation, reflexivity, and reciprocity. Students practice analytic techniques and writing up research. These courses are special seminars on carrying out a particular qualitative research method. Selected seminars may consist of critical ethnography, feminist research, phenomenology, and discourse analysis.