Postgraduate Module Descriptor

ERPM001: Interpretive Methodologies

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

This module focuses on the nature, planning and execution of interpretive research. It requires students to confront questions of methodology while attending, also, to those of method: research design, data collection, analysis and generation of theory. It aims to ensure that students develop a keen awareness of the centrality of the researcher in the processes of research design, data collection and analysis, and of ethical issues in interpretive enquiry. While the module aims to enable students to acquire a high level of competence in working with qualitative data in particular, it will require, also, that they become familiar with the ways in which other forms of data can serve interpretive research. The module also aims to enable students to develop understanding of and to make informed evaluation of relevant computer software for data analysis.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. demonstrate a knowledge of the nature of interpretivist research;
2. demonstrate a knowledge of appropriate methods of data collection, analysis and theory generation for use in interpretivist research;
3. demonstrate a critical awareness of the place of qualitative and quantitative data in interpretive research;
4. demonstrate a critical awareness of the central place of the researcher in interpretive research, and notions of subjectivity and reflexivity;
5. identify ethical concerns in relation to different interpretive approaches;
Discipline-Specific Skills6. design and conduct a research project with due regard to the opportunities and limitations afforded by the methods utilised;
7. demonstrate understanding of methodological principles through choice of appropriate research techniques in the light of complex problems;
8. read, understand and produce a critique of research papers and reports that have used qualitative approaches;
9. critically reflect on and evaluate your own research in order to improve it;
Personal and Key Skills10. demonstrate skills in self-management - in particular the management of time, tasks and evaluation of own learning;
11. demonstrate skills in personal judgement - particularly in respect of ethically sensitive issues;
12. demonstrate the ability to communicate and present ideas when writing and speaking and to listen effectively and persuade rationally;
13. demonstrate the ability to use ICT effectively - the use of electronic data bases in the library, email, word processing, the internet.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary over time, it is envisaged that the syllabus will consider a range of issues that relate to interpretive approaches to research. The content is likely to include:

Methodology and ethics:

  • Interpretive methodologies and  practical concerns relating to research design
  • Criteria of judgment in interpretive research such as credibility, confirmability, coherence, completeness, trustworthiness and transferability
  • The place of qualitative and quantitative data in interpretive research
  • The central place of the researcher in interpretive research, and notions of subjectivity and reflexivity
  • Ethical concerns in different interpretive approaches

 Techniques and sources:

  • Interviewing – ways of asking, listening and recording
  • Observation – ways of looking, seeing and recording
  • Visual methods – ways of seeing, viewing, creating and recording

 Analysis and critique:

  • Different approaches to qualitative data analysis, including grounded theory, discourse analysis, narrative analysis and thematic analysis
  • Processes of theory generation
  • Uses and limitations of data analysis software such as NVivo

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
302700

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities3010x3 hour teaching sessions (lectures, workshops and seminars), including on campus teaching and recorded sessions
Guided Independent Study70Collaborative group work
Guided Independent Study100Reading and assignment preparation
Guided Independent Study100Writing summative assignment

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

 

Other Learning Resources

Suggested journals:

Qualitative Research

International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education

Qualitative Inquiry