(SOCI606-010 - SPRING 2005)
Tuesdays, 5-8pm, Purnell 324A
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
This course if designed to acquaint students with qualitative research
methods, i.e., its epistemology, units of analysis, methods of data collection,
analysis and theory generation. Specific goals are to:
- Help students acquire
a basic epistemological understanding of qualitative methods as
an independent analytic undertaking.
- Help students acquire a thorough understanding
of the similarities and differences between qualitative and quantitative
studies.
- Introduce students to methodological and ethical implications
of qualitative research.
- Introduce students to human subjects issues
and IRB process for qualitative research.
- Acquaint students with knowledge
of major methods of qualitative research, including interviewing,
observation (ethnography), and content analysis.
- Develop the necessary skills to
analyze information obtained from qualitative investigation.
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REQUIRED TEXTS
- Silverman, Dan. (Editor). 2004. Qualitative Research, 2nd Edition.
Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
- Holstein, James A. and Gubrium, Jaber F. (Editors). 2003. Inside
Interviewing: New Lenses, New Concerns. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- Written Exercises (4 at 50 points each. See below for schedule).
= 200 points.
- Field Journal (notes and personal reflections taken for four written
exercises). = 100 points.
- Final Examination (short answer and essay exam). = 100 points.
Total Class points = 400
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CLASS SCHEDULE AND TOPICS
Feb 8
Class Introduction. Epistemological Underpinnings of Qualitative
Research. Readings: Silverman, Chapter 1, NSF Qualitative Methods Workshop
.pdf file (pp. 1-16).
Feb 15
Epistemology and the Qualitative Approach. Readings: NSF
Qualitative Methods Workshop .pdf file (chapters by Adams, Best, Collier,
Newman, Silbey, and Venkatesh). Culyba, Heimer, and Petty 2004 in Qualitative
Sociology (pdf file).
Feb 22
Selecting What and Who to Study: Context, Units
of Analysis, Representation, Biography Assignment #1 Due in class. Curtis,
Gessler, Smith and Washburn 2000 in Social Science and Medicine (pdf file).
Human Subjects Training Session: Tuesday, February 22, 9:30 am - 11:00
am or Monday, February 28, 9:30 am - 11:00 am (Your choice of time slots.
You must contact Teresa Clark at tclark@udel.edu to reserve your space)
.
Mar 1
Ethical Issues and Human Subjects. Introduction to Interviewing
(Purpose, Theory, Design)
Readings: Electronic handouts (Anderson’s IRB application, University
and Federal Government Policy) and article by Sudhir Venkatesh.1999. “The
Promise of Ethnographic Research: The Researcher's Dilemma ,” Law & Social
Inquiry, 24, 4, fall, 987-9. (retrieve this on your own). Assignment
#2 handed out in class.
Mar 8
Interviewing: Techniques. Readings: Silverman, Chapters 7, 8,
and 9. Holstein and Gubrium, Chapters 1, 15.
Mar 15
Interviewing: Techniques Continued. Readings: Holstein and
Gubrium, Chapters 3, 4, 7, 8, 23, 24. Assignment #2 due in class.
Mar 21
Observation: Purpose, Theory, Design and Role of the Ethnographer– Hand
in Journals for mid-semester review. (Special Monday meeting). Readings:
Silverman, Chapters 2, 3. Snow, Morrill, and Anderson 2003 in Ethnography
(pdf fle), Fine 2003 in Ethnography (pdf file). Assignment #3 handed
out in class.
Mar 29
SPRING BREAK- NO CLASS!!!
Apr 5
Direct Observation - Readings: Holstein and Gurium, Chapters
20. (Readings forthcoming in class).
Apr 12
Direct Observation Continued and Introduction to Participant
Observation
Assignment #3 due in class. (Readings forthcoming in class).
Apr 19
Participant Observation: Readings: Venkatesh in 2002 Ethnography
(pdf file), Excerpts from Spradley’s Participation Observation
(forthcoming in class), Assignment #4 handed out in class.
Apr 26
21st Century Ethnographies: Visual and Cyber Ethnographies.
Readings: Silverman, Chapters 13, 14. Harper in 2003 Ethnography (pdf
file).
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