Qualitative Research in Politics

In this course, students will develop an advanced understanding of the principles and methods of qualitative research on government, politics, and society. These skills will enable students to critically evaluate the value of arguments made in published academic, policy, and journalistic research, and to produce original qualitative research of their own. The course is intended for those using qualitative research in their thesis or who wish to gain a better understanding of qualitative research methods. The course will concentrate on how qualitative data is collected and how it is analyzed. Qualitative data can be collected in a number of ways, each of which requires consideration of important theoretical and practical issues. Data sources for qualitative research include archives and other written sources, interviews, and ethnographic fieldwork. Students will learn the pros and cons of each method and the different ontologies and epistemologies underpinning them, read exemplary works, and apply the methods in assignments. The analysis of qualitative data also poses special challenges. Students will also gain exposure to various methods of data analysis including historical process tracing, discourse and narrative analysis, and content analysis.