Qualitative Methods for Research

Course #IS4710

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Clock Est. completion in 3 months

Location pin Offered through Distance Learning

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Overview

This course explores qualitative research methods. Quantitative research methods are powerful, but not all research questions and settings are amenable to these methods. Research problems that may be better suited to investigation through qualitative research methods include; early stage exploratory research, how and why questions, studies in which the phenomena of interest are intertwined with their contexts (e.g., where people, technology and organizations interact), investigations of individual and small-group behaviors (e.g., leaders, project teams, user groups), understanding rare and idiosyncratic events (e.g., catastrophes, new technology introductions, organizational changes), and research in which potential sample sizes are small, or measures cannot be operationalized practically. In this course, you will learn to recognize when qualitative research methods are appropriate. You will learn how to design and assess qualitative research. You will be exposed to a variety of qualitative research approaches including, ethnography, grounded theory, and case analysis. You will gain theoretical and experiential knowledge of how to use qualitative research methods.

Included in Degrees & Certificates

  • 473

Prerequisites

  • IS4700

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Explain how philosophical assumptions influence qualitative research designs.
  • Describe and contrast approaches to conducting qualitative research.
  • Gather, organize, and analyze qualitative data.
  • Discuss methods for establishing credibility and trustworthiness (validity) for qualitative research.
  • Critique and provide feedback on qualitative research.
  • Communicate and defend a research design for a qualitative study.