STV4030B – Qualitative Data in Political Science
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
In this course, students will learn more about how to collect qualitative data, mainly through qualitative interviews, participant observation and by collecting various types of documents. The general aim is to prepare master students to select and use such data collection strategies in their own research projects. How can we enable measurement of the concepts our research questions imply?
The part on interviews highlights semi-structured interviews, and covers sampling of respondents, design of interview guides, the interview itself and transcription of interview recordings. The part on documents covers collection and documentation of text material, with a particular emphasis on collection and use of archival data.
The course will also address research ethics, data protection and digital security during fieldwork. Students will be trained in assessing the reliability and validity of various data sources, including how to identify and address different types of bias in the data. Moreover, students will learn how to store and organize qualitative data.
Finally, the course will provide an overview of relevant strategies for analyzing qualitative data. We encourage participants to explore different kinds of qualitative data, and think carefully about the purpose of such data in their forthcoming master projects.
Learning outcome
After having completed the course, the students have acquired the following knowledge, skills and general competencies:
Knowledge
Students learn:
- how to sample sources in an appropriate manner
- how to design and carry out interview-based and observational research to ensure validity and reliability
- how to get access to archives
- how to assess the reliability and validity of various data sources
- how to tackle and discuss the various methodological challenges of formulating and asking questions
- how to process different kinds of qualitative text data
- how to analyze and integrate different kinds of qualitative text data
- to address challenges of research ethics and data protection
Skills
Students will
- enhance their repertoire of qualitative data collection methods
- be trained in conducting interviews and participatory observation
- be able to critically assess the purpose and role of qualitative data in research designs
- be able to discuss challenges of measurement and operationalization in their own research projects
- enhance their skills in qualitative analysis
- be able to reflect on methodological and ethical challenges associated with fieldwork
- be able to communicate academic knowledge in writing and orally
General competencies
Students will
- get more experience in applying methodological knowledge in practice
- get training in planning key aspects of a qualitative study
- develop their ability to read existing qualitative research publications critically
Admission to the course
Students must be enrolled in the master programmes in Political science.
Recommended previous knowledge
STV4021 – 欧洲杯在线买球_欧洲杯投注网站推荐@sdesign i statsvitenskap?or PECOS4025 – Analytic perspectives on peace and conflict?or?equivalent.
Teaching
Lectures and seminars.
Seminars will clarify possible solutions to tasks discussed in individual written memos handed in advance of seminars. A workshop in the software NVivo will also be offered during the course.
Compulsory activities:
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Attend first seminar
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Attend two of the following four seminars
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Students hand in two written memos in advance of seminars (2500-3000 words). Each memo is associated with a specific seminar in which students present their work and discuss it with seminar leader and their fellow students. The two written memos serve as exam preparation and qualification tasks that must be approved before students can take the home exam.
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Absence from compulsory activities:
For many courses, UiO requires participation in the form of compulsory activities. These must be approved before you can sit for the examination.
If you are ill or have another valid reason for being absent from compulsory activities, your absence may be approved or the compulsory activity may be postponed.
Report absence from or the need for a postponed deadline on a compulsory activity Absence from compulsory activities - University of Oslo (uio.no)
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Examination
Term paper (paper of 3000-4000 words).
The paper shall focus on the data collection and analytical strategy for a self-selected topic.
Language of examination
You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.