This is an introductory course for those interested in using qualitative methods to answer post-graduate research, applied research and evaluation questions. The latter can emanate from ‘front end’ evaluations (e.g. to assist with needs assessment, program planning, program design), monitoring/process evaluation right through to impact/outcomes evaluations. The emphasis of the course is hands on-practice where the theory taught is then applied.
Monday am - Overview. Issues in Qualitative Research. The session will introduce a number of issues including; qualitative and quantitative differences; when to use qualitative approaches; possible types of data collection; issues in fieldwork; and ways of maintaining rigour.
Monday pm - Participant Observation. While the theory is taught, participant observation exercises will be carried out to answer specific questions. Students will report back and consider the challenges of the task.
Tuesday am - Interviewing. This session will consider the different types of interviews that can be used and the various interview systems involved. Participants will then undertake an interview which considers the underlying systems.
Tuesday pm - Focus Groups. Participants will learn about: the differences between group interviews and focus groups. They will also be introduced to the characteristics of FGs, how to organise and run such a group as well as advantages and disadvantages of this technique. In the second half participants will take part in a FG discussion to demonstrate how the theory relates to practice.
Wed am - Story Telling Through the Most Significant Change Technique. Participants will be introduced to this recent tool by examining its use in an agricultural program. The process will then be applied using stories provided by the group.
Wed pm - Document Analysis. This session will concentrate on the variety of document types that can be used in research and evaluation and tips that can assist with undertaking this kind of research.
Thurs am - The Use of the Visual Medium. Examples of how the visual image has been used in data collection method (eg photo-interviewing photolanguage) will be presented and there will be associated exercises.
Thurs pm - Case Study. Drawing on previous session, the nature of case study and issues concerning the approach will be considered. There will also be a critique of a case study report.
Friday Qualitative - Data Analysis. The day will be spent looking at various aspects of QDA. First there will be a comparison of hand and computer methods of analysis. However, the major component will involve participants examining and working on real data to produce Miles and Huberman style grid displaying and organising data in preparation for writing.
Rosalyn Hurworth [BA, PG CertEd, Med, PG DipSoc (in Survey and Research Methods), PhD] is the Director of the Centre for Program Evaluation at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, and has carried out over 150 major national, state and local evaluations, particularly in the education, community and health sectors. She has particular expertise in qualitative approaches to research and evaluation and teaches these to Master of Evaluation and Master of Education students. She is a past president of the Qualitative Research Association and the Editor of the ‘Evaluation Journal of Australasia’.Ros has published widely on Qualitative Methods and is the author of ‘Teaching Qualitative Research’ (Sense Publishers, 2008).
There is no set text. Readings will be provided in each session.