Qualitative Research Methods

Description

The development of a research culture in human services is an important challenge for educators, managers, practitioners and students. The creative tension between research, theory and practice is a necessary aspect of human services work and study. A strong research culture contributes significantly to the development of a knowledge and practice in human services. As the nature and scope of research activities and opportunities are diverse within human services settings, this course aims to provide a basis from which students can begin to develop a research culture across diverse contexts. By introducing a range of qualitative research approaches and enabling students to experience manageable research assignments, students will become increasingly familiar with the business of research and how it fits within complex and diverse human service systems. This course will begin by introducing students to the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research, including methodological frameworks, theories, and controversies. Next, students will learn about practical issues encountered in ‘doing’ research. Those practical issues include ethics of the research process; navigating cultures and hard-to-reach groups; data gathering via documents, interviews, and focus groups; and analysing data. Students are encouraged to think critically in terms of applicability for developing ethical research models within diverse contexts/settings.