Foundations of Qualitative Research
Date:
13/09/2024
Organised by:
Social Research Association
Presenter:
Dr Karen Lumsden
Level:
Entry (no or almost no prior knowledge)
Contact:
Patricia Cornell
training@the-sra.org.uk
Venue: Online
Description:
Introduction/Overview
This one-day foundation course provides participants with an introduction to the key principles and benefits of qualitative research. This includes the main methods and techniques employed in qualitative studies such as interviews, focus groups and observations. It outlines how to design an effective qualitative research question, how to design research instruments, how to sample and recruit participants, data analysis, and related ethical considerations. It also considers how to assess a qualitative research project’s quality and rigour.
Qualitative research seeks to understand people’s lived experiences and to answer questions about meaning and perspective, including from the standpoint of the participants themselves. It is particularly effective in obtaining culturally specific information about the values, views, behaviours, and contexts of particular groups. This foundational course provides an introduction to qualitative research tools and techniques which help us to answer these questions. It will equip participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to begin their own qualitative investigations.
The course is delivered online via Zoom. It includes a combination of presentations, discussions and practical activities. It is designed to equip participants to confidently implement their own qualitative design in research projects in a range of contexts.
Learning Outcomes
Understand the principles and functions of qualitative research
Understand how qualitative research differs from quantitative research
Understand the type of questions which qualitative research addresses
Have knowledge of methods and techniques of qualitative research
Understand how to sample and recruit in qualitative projects
Have awareness of how we assess and evaluate qualitative research for quality and rigour
Have awareness of the importance of reflexivity and ethics in qualitative design
Understand the pros and cons of qualitative research
Topics
Principles and theories of qualitative research design
Functions of qualitative research
The types of questions which qualitative research addresses
Qualitative research methods and techniques (i.e. interviews, focus groups, observation, and mixed methods)
Qualitative sampling and recruitment
Qualitative research instruments
Ethical considerations and reflexivity in qualitative research
Assessing the quality of qualitative research
Who will benefit?
This introductory course will be of value to researchers who are new to qualitative research and qualitative methods, and who wish to delve into the principles of designing a qualitative study. It provides a basic overview of qualitative research, what this entails, and how to design a qualitative study.
Course Tutor
Dr Karen Lumsden is a sociologist and criminologist at the University of Aberdeen, UK. She has a PhD in Sociology from the University of Aberdeen and has held a number of academic posts including Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham, Associate Professor at the University of Leicester, and at Loughborough University. She has over 15 years’ experience teaching qualitative research methods to doctoral students, academics, practitioners and social researchers. This includes courses at the Universities of Aberdeen, Glasgow, Essex, Kingston, Bristol, Cardiff, and for the Social Research Association. Karen has also designed and delivered research methods training for police officers and staff via the East Midlands Policing Academic Collaboration (EMPAC) and for research consultancies. She has authored a number of academic books and journal articles on qualitative research methods and is on the Editorial Board of the Qualitative Research journal.
Cost:
£165 for SRA members, £220 for non-members
Website and registration:
Region:
International
Keywords:
Frameworks for Research and Research Designs, Data Collection, Data Quality and Data Management , Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Research Management and Impact, Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination
Related publications and presentations:
Frameworks for Research and Research Designs
Data Collection
Data Quality and Data Management
Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Research Management and Impact
Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination