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Instructors: Dr. Corinna de Guttry
Event type:
Practical course/lab
Displayed in timetable as:
Hours per week:
2
Language of instruction:
English
Min. | Max. participants:
8 | 25
Registration group: Qual. Methoden
Comments/contents:
Qualitative methods are important for raising appropriate data in the context of human geography. Especially in geography, these methods have gathered interest in the recent years due to theoretical improvements and the overarching question of what method or way of data gathering helps to adequately answer a research question. The course explicitly addresses this aspect, provides an applied and practical background for the lecture “Qualitative Data Analysis in Human Geography” (63-004) held by Prof. Dr. Anke Strüver and raises the following questions: From where do primary data come from? What kind of primary or secondary data is relevant for my research? What methods exist and which method might be adequate for my research question? The course offers a practical introduction into four qualitative methods: sedentary interviews, walking interviews, participant observation and visual approaches. It requires the development of an individual research project, including problem structuring, development of a research question, formation of a hypothesis, operationalisation of the method, data gathering, data analysis and data interpretation. Students will present the research project in form of a presentation and a written portfolio, providing a critical reflexion of the research process encountered.
Learning objectives:
The main aim of the course consists in enabling students to adequately raise, effectively handle and critically analyse qualitative data. Besides these more practical aspects, students should – at the end of the course – be in a position to know which qualitative methods exist and what advantages and disadvantages they hold. The reflexion of the research process itself includes aspects of reflexivity and the positionality of the researcher as well as aspects of data quality and their relevance for undertaking research in geography.
Literature:
Banks, M.; Zeitlyn, D. (2015): Visual methods in social research. London.
Charmaz, K. (2014): Constructing grounded theory. London.
Corbin, J.; Strauss, A.; (2015) Basics of qualitative research: Techniques of procedures for developing grounded theory. London.
Flowerdew, R. (2005): Methods in Human Geography: A guide for students doing a research project. London.
Hay, I. (2016): Qualitative methods in human geography. Oxford.
Patton, M. Q. (2015): Qualitative research and evaluation methods. SAGE.
Additional examination information:
Requirements:
Regular attendance of the lecture “Qualitative Data Analysis in Human Geography” (63-004) held by Prof. Dr. Anke Strüver.
Requirements to pass:
(a) development of a research plan individually or in a small group; (b) gathering of data in relation to a research plan and application of method chosen; (c) presentation of research process and results; (d) development of an individual application portfolio at the end of the course in written form. Active and constructive participation in the course are assumed as given.
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