Year 2010-11
Qualitative research techniques (21664)
Qualification: Political and Administration Science.
Year: 2nd
Term: 2nd
Number of ECTS credits: 6
Hours of student dedication:
Teaching language: Spanish
1. Introduction to the course
This course has two aims. Firstly, it seeks to provide students with the necessary methodological tools (such as interviews, focus groups, etc) to design, carry out, analyze and present research in the field of political science. Secondly, by providing students with useful tools to conduct applied research, it hopes students will familiarize themselves with research and analytic scenarios that are used in practice (workshops, participatory research, etc.).
2. Competences to be achieved
Generic competences:
o Ability to organise and plan.
o Ability to work in an interdisciplinary group.
o Research capability.
o Ability to work alone.
Specific competences
Ability to identify methods and techniques used in political and social research.
Ability to propose adequate ways to study political phenomena, design techniques for data collection and test hypotheses.
Subject specific knowledge (to know):
- Approaches and methods in qualitative analysis.
- The comparative method.
- Case study research techniques.
- Available sources of information.
Generic knowledge (to know how to):
- Define research objectives and hypotheses.
- Apply theoretical models.
- Design research techniques.
- Produce, collect, analyze and interpret data.
Use quantitative and qualitative research data. Knowledge of tools available to analyse quantitative and qualitative data and ability to apply them in the process of carrying out research.
Subject specific knowledge (to know):
· Qualitative analysis techniques.
Generic Knowledge (to know how to):
· Analyse and interprete qualitative data.
• Develop and explain comparative information.
3. Contents
The main objective is to familiarize students with major qualitative techniques through the implementation of a research project.
Introduction to the different phases of the logic of qualitative research: Phase 1), the application of techniques for obtaining information: Phase 2), further systematization and interpretation: Phase 3) and finally the presentation of the results: Phase 4 .)
4. Assessment
Continuous assessment:
a) Individually assessed: student's interest in the course. Individual portfolio. Oral presentation of results in the final session.
b) Group assessment: presentation and critical engagement. Final session. Final report, the research project portfolio.
Final assessment (marked individually): basic knowledge test.
5. Bibliography and other resources
5.1. Basic Bibliography
Anduíza, E.; Crespo, I.; Méndez, M. (1999) Metodología de la Ciencia Política. Madrid: CIS
Brito, J. (2008) Dinamica del Grupo de Discusión. Madrid:CIS
Denzin, N.K.; Lincoln, Y. (1994) Handbook of Qualitative Research. London: Sage.
King, G; Keohane, R; Verba, S. (2000) El diseño de investigación social; la investigación científica en los estudios cualitativos. Madrid: Alianza
Marsh, D; Stoker, G. (1995) Theory and Methods in Political Science. Houndmills: Macmillan.
Valles, M.S. (1997) Técnicas cualitativas de investigación social. Reflexión metodológica y práctica profesional. Madrid: Síntesis
Valles, M.S (1997) Entrevistas Cualitativas. CIS: Madrid.
5.2. Other Resources
Textbooks, videos, web pages, video cameras and recording machines.
6. Methodology
The course will combine lectures with seminars which are designed for students to be able to apply the knowledge acquired in lectures.
7. Programme of activities
Classroom-based activities:
Lectures, seminars, workshops and compulsory tutorials. Oral presentation.
Non-classroom based activities:
- In groups: research project; group based learning.
- Individually: individual portfolio.
- Non-compulsory activities.