Qualitative Research

Catalog description

Qualitative research and evaluative Strategies introduces students to theoretical, paradigmatic and methodological research perspectives associated with the qualitative tradition. Case studies, grounded theory, ethnographic, and narrative approaches will be presented in this class paying particular attention to interpretive, critical, and participatory research techniques, methodologies and methods. Qualitative evaluation techniques used in program evaluations will be emphasized. Educational Leadership 814 introduces students to practical research techniques including the development of semi structured and open ended interview questions, how to conduct, record and analyze interviews, and the use of field notes when collecting observation data. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the ramifications of purposeful sampling, forms of credibility, the role of the researcher, and ethical dimensions associated with qualitative inquiry.