This course is designed for participants who have undertaken a qualitative study in their work or study and would like to build their theoretical knowledge and applied skill base in qualitative research.
Dr Delwyn Goodrick is a psychologist who undertakes program evaluation and social research with a wide range of government and private sector clients. She is an experienced trainer having conducted a range of specialist workshops in research and program evaluation in Australia, Singapore, the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand. Most of Delwyn's work relates to health and education contexts. She maintains her own private consultancy practice and is currently working from New Zealand.
The focus of this course is on issues of design and positioning, analysis and representation of qualitative research. This course only provides a generic overview of data collection methods, as it is assumed that participants will have experience with methods. Many of the examples will make reference to research in business, psychology and health.
The target audience for this course are researchers, practitioners and academics who have conducted at least one qualitative study, and are familiar with the process and contect of qualitative research.
Day 1
Epistemological and Methodological foundations. The importance of epistemology and methodology in qualitative research. Identification of research, values, stance, and voice. Designing qualitative research – common frameworks (life history, ethnography)
Day 2
Design frameworks continued. Grounded Theory and Ethnography. An overview of methods and methods tips. Linking stance, design and methods.
Day 3
Case study and narrative research design frameworks will be presented. Making sense of qualitative data: How to make reasoned decisions about the appropriateness of analytic strategies Data management and analysis.
Day 4
Data Analysis and representation continued. Matrix displays, thematic analysis (grounded and theory driven), constant comparative method, phenomenological approaches.
Day 5
Issues in the representation of qualitative research. How to assess the quality of qualitative research Enhancing the validity and trustworthiness of qualitative research (including technical, reflexive and critical criteria and standards). Post structural forms of legitimation. Constructing effective arguments.
This course will take place in a classroom. No equipment is needed.
Participants will be expected to have experience with at least one qualitative research project or have undertaken an introductory level course in qualitative research methods. While some discussion of the technical elements of methods is presented during the course of the workshop, participants should have a basic familiarity with data collection methods such as interviews, observation and document analysis.
Other reading that may be useful:
- Bazeley, P. (2013). Qualitative data analysis: Practical Strategies. London: Sage
- Miles, M. Huberman, M., & Saldana, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook. (3rd ed). Los Angeles: Sage.
- Patton, MQ. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. 4th ed, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Q: Do I have to have had any qualitative research experience to do this course?
A: Yes, you will have been expected to have experience with at least one qualitative research project or have undertaken an introductory level course in qualitative research methods.
Information rich, deep expertise of facilitator. (Spring 18)
I found the course had a very practical element to it. The way it was taught provided a good sense of how the theories/methodologies could be implemented in practice in a number of content. (Winter 2018)
Delwyn is an excellent presenter. Very useful for me to get a theoretical grounding in qualitative research design at this point in my PhD. (Summer 2018)
Useful for me to gain a better understanding of the methods of qualitative research and specific analysis techniques. (Summer 2018)
Del has an amazing wealth of knowledge can explain complex concepts in a straight forward way, and is highly engaging - one of the best instructors I’ve had. (Winter 2017)
The course was a great mix of theory, practice and practical, It was also well facilitated and participatory & engaging all students and tailoring research to our individual experiences. (Winter 2017)
Del helped me situate myself in the compendium of ontological and epistemological traditions. (Spring 2016)
It provided me with different choices of Qualitative research methods and useful examples were used throughout the course. (Winter 2016)
Good mix of presentation with many opportunities for discussion. The reading materials and in-class analysis & discussion of these were excellent. Clarified + explained these well. (Spring 2015)
Opened my mind to different methodologies. Clearly explained and showed links between theory and practice. (Summer 2015)
The instructor's bound, book length course notes will serve as the course text.