Qualitative Research Methods

Catalog description

This course is designed for social scientiests who wish to learn how to conduct field research, whether in foreign cultures or with different groups within the United States. Students develop, refine and carry out field research projects using qualitative research methods and techniques including participant observation, structured and unstructured interviewing techniques, non-probability sampling, among others. The course will also address ethical issues in social science research including privacy, institutional oversight, rights of the state, and common strategies and solutions. Final research paper is based on original fieldwork.