EDS601 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION

 

COURSE OUTLINE

Dr. Ali Yıldırım

210-4027, aliy@metu.edu.tr

Purpose of the Course

        The main purpose of this course is to introduce a number of qualitative research methods commonly used in educational research and improve participants' skills in using them.  The methods mainly include interview, observation, document analysis.  This course is offered primarily for those who are contemplating to use qualitative inquiry in their doctoral dissertations and/or as part of their job responsibilities. 

 

Course Activities

 

        The emphasis in the sessions is on developing participants' skills for using qualitative research methods through various practical exercises.  Students will consider the nature of qualitative research and the places where qualitative methods are most appropriate.  Basic structure of the course is like this: 

•    participants will read assigned readings for each week, which will provide a basis for discussion during the respective session.

•    the lecturer will introduce a research method and discuss different ways of applying it. 

•    participants will conduct small scale exercise using this method in some kind of setting.

•    participants will write up results of the application and bring enough copies for everyone in class.

•    we will together analyze group members' exercises during the session following the assignment.

 

Requirements

 

1. Qualitative Research Methods Portfolio (50%) (to be submitted last week of the semester)

 

This portfolio will include all the work submitted by participants for the research exercises throughout the course, plus a self evaluation report.

a. First draft of interview schedule

b. Second draft of interview schedule with explanation of which parts of the original schedule have been deleted, amended and improved, and what new questions and sections have been added.

c. Coding practice on a given transcribed text of interview

d. Brief analysis of interview results

e. Reflective analysis of interview process

f. First draft of observation schedule

g. Second draft of observation schedule with explanation of which parts of the original schedule have been deleted, amended and improved, and what new questions and sections have been added.

h. Brief analysis of observation results.

i. Reflective analysis of observation process

j. Self evaluation report (3-5 pages):  explain (a) what skills, knowledge and insights you have gained during the course, (b) what exercises you accomplished most successfully, and why you felt these to be your best work, (c) what were your least successful exercises, and why you felt these were your worst work, (d) you greatest strengths as a qualitative researcher, and (e) areas of qualitative research methods you most need to work on in the future. 

 

2.  Review of a Qualitative Research (15%) (due to 12th session)

 

Choose a qualitative research report/article/thesis/paper on a topic of your interest, and present a critical review of all aspects of the research, i.e., title, abstract, introduction and review of literature, methods and procedures, analysis of results and appropriateness of data analysis, discussion, conclusions, and overall presentation. 

 

3. Qualitative Research Proposal (suggested length: 10-15 pages) (35%) (due to the end of first finals week)

 

This proposal should be based on a problem you might be interested in studying.  It should include a short introduction summarizing the area of concern with a brief review of literature, research context, research questions, significance, research methods covering sample, data collection and analysis, and validity issues.  Use the guideline presented in Maxwell.

 

4. Participation in discussions and individual and small group activities.

 

You are expected to read the material assigned for each week below and participate in discussions and activities during the sessions.  You are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions since discussions and activities will help you build a sense of confidence and understanding, and skills required by qualitative inquiry.

 

Required Readings

Maxwell, J. A. (1996). Qualitative research design. An interactive approach. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. (All Ch.s)

Patton, M.Q. (1987). How to use qualitative methods in evaluation, Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. (Ch.s 3, 4, 5, 6)

Bogdan R. C. & Biklen, S. K. (1992). Qualitative research for education: An introduction to theory and methods. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. (Ch.s 1, 5, 6)

Rossman, G.B. & Rallis, S.F. (1998). Learning in the field: An introduction to qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. (ch.s 5, 6, 7 & p. 200-203)

Various articles, course notes and handouts as listed below.

 

 

Outline of Class Meetings

 

1. Introduction to the Course

 

2. Shift in Methods: From Quantitative to Qualitative (Bogdan & Biklen, 1992, ch. 1, p. 1-29; Course Notes 1)

 

3. Qualitative Methods: Principles, Practices and Problems (Bogdan & Biklen, 1992, ch. 1, pp. 29-56)

 

4. A Journey from Initial Concept to Final Write-up:  Stages in Qualitative Research Design

Sampling

(Maxwell, ch.s 1, 2, 3, 4; Patton, 1987, ch. 3, pp. 44-60)

 

5. Method 1: Interview (Patton, 1987; ch. 5; Rossman, ch. 5; Sample Interview Guide)

Principles of Interviewing

Designing Interview Schedules

Assignment: Designing an Interview Schedule

 

6. Analysis of Interview Schedules

Conducting Interviews (Patton, 1987, ch. 5; Maxwell, ch. 5; Interview with Oguz)

Assignment: Conducting the Interview

 

7. Analysis of Interview Results (Patton, 1987; ch. 6; Bogdan & Biklen, 1992, ch. 5-6; Rossman, ch. 7 & pp. 200-203; Coding Categories in Self Identity Study)

Assignment: Analysis of the Interview Results

 

8. Method 2: Observation (Patton, 1987; ch. 4)

Designing Observation Schedules

Assignment: Designing an Observation Schedule

 

9. Analysis of Observation Schedules

Conducting Observation (Rossman, pp.136-142; Rossman, ch. 6)

Assignment: Conducting an Observation

 

10. Analysis of Observation Results (Patton, 1987; ch. 6; Bogdan & Biklen, 1992, ch. 5-6)

Assignment: Analysis of Observation Results

 

11. Method 3:  Document Analysis (Course Notes 2)

Computerized Qualitative Data Analysis (Miles and Weitzman, 1994)

Assignment: Review of Qualitative Data Analysis Software

 

12. Reliability and Validity Issues in Qualitative Research (LeCompte and Goetz, 1982; Maxwell, ch. 6)

Triangulation (Jick, 1979; Mathison, 1988; Patton, 1987, pp. 60-69)

Qualitative Research Proposal (Maxwell, ch. 7, Appendix A)

Assignment Due: Review of a Qualitative Research

 

13. Various Designs in Qualitative Research: Case Studies, Action Research (Add. Reading 1; Yıldırım)

 

14. Applying Qualitative Research for Education (Zumwalt 1982)

Wrap up

Portfolio Due

 

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