Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM140: Qualitative Methods in Social Research

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

Module Aims

The aims of this module are to introduce you with core issues in qualitative research in social sciences; to enable you to gain a critical understanding of the opportunities, challenges and prospects for qualitative research in social sciences; and to provide you with the tools for designing a sound research design for qualitative inquiry in social research.

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 comprehensive awareness and understanding of the core issues in conducting qualitative research in social sciences;
2. appraise empirical application of research designs in qualitative research in social sciences
3. appraise empirical application of research designs in qualitative research in social sciences
Discipline-Specific Skills4. demonstrate advanced skills in the core principles of research design, data collection and analysis;
5. recognize and critically discuss the contested and provisional nature of scientific knowledge;
6. assess the relevance, significance and implications of the logics of inquiry in social science research;
Personal and Key Skills7. discuss, evaluate and synthesise complex arguments effectively;
8. engage constructively in complex discussions and debates;
9. develop advanced autonomous learning skills, notably self-direction and time management.

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Basic reading*

Blatter, J. K, M. Haverland and M. v. Hulst (eds). Qualitative Research in Political Science. Sage.

C. R. Ragin. Redesigning Social Inquiry: Fuzzy Sets and Beyond. University of Chicago Press.

Collier, D. and H. E. Brady (eds). Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Tools, Shared Standards. Rowman & Littlefield

Engeli, I. and C. Rothmayr (eds). Comparative Policy Studies: Conceptual and Methodological Challenges. Palgrave.

Gerring, J. Case Study Research: Principles and Practices. Cambridge University Press.

Gerring, J. Social Science Methodology: A Unified Framework. Cambridge University Press.

Goertz, G. Social Science Concepts and Measurements. Princeton University Press.

Janet M. Box-Steffensmeier, E. Brady and D. Collier (eds).The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology. Oxford University Press.

Kapiszewski, D., L. M. MacLean and B. L. Read (2015). Field Research in Political Science; Practices and Principles. Cambridge University Press.

Maggetti, M., F. Gilardi and C. M. Radelli. Designing Research in Social Sciences. Sage.

Seawright, J. Multi-Method for Social Science: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Tools. Cambridge University Press

Yanow, D. and P. Schwartz-Shea (eds). Interpretation and method: Research methods and the interpretive turn. Sage

Yin, R. Y. Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. Sage.

*Many of these books have multiple editions. As these are basic reading, there is no expectation regarding the specific edition.