Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

HSS8004: Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Aims

To develop and advance understanding of the qualitative tradition of critical enquiry.
To introduce contemporary qualitative research designs across a range of disciplines.
To examine the intellectual, theoretical and methodological development of the qualitative paradigm.
To develop awareness and understanding of the variety of epistemological perspectives which underpin qualitative approaches to critical inquiry.
To examine the ethical principles, implications and dilemmas of qualitative research.
To develop understanding of the nature, methods and application of qualitative research.
To develop skills in qualitative methods of data collection.
To examine a range of strategies for organising and analysing qualitative data.
To consider different approaches to qualitative report-writing.
To encourage a critical and reflexive approach to research practice.
To think critically about methodologies without relying on secondary criticism/received opinion.
To allow student to demonstrate a deep understanding of the approach used.
To develop self-awareness and self-reflexion when drafting the exercise, encouraging students to concentrate on the methodologies rather than the example.
To develop the ability to cast complex concepts to a non-specialist but well-informed audience.

Outline Of Syllabus

Planning and briefing meeting.
Supported self-study for the production of the assessment.
Final presentations.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will be able to:
Demonstrate mastery of the chosen methodologies.
Improve the ways in which they mobilise the debate, use referencing, appropriate terminologies and quotations, and the clarity of explanation.
Demonstrate an intelligent understanding of the demands of the exercise by applying, comparing and contrasting key qualitative approaches to critical enquiry in the context of a purposely-designed research question.
Demonstrate a creative and critical approach to research by devising and describing an imagined research example to test their chosen methodologies.
Apply, synthesize and appraise methodologies, calculating implementation risks and devising creative solutions to epistemological complications.
Think about their methodologies and not rely on secondary criticism/received opinion.
Be able to really demonstrate an understanding of the approach used.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Opportunity to develop key professional skills such as:
Academic critical writing.
Intellectual content of your analysis.
Clarity of presentation and ability to respond to questions.
Use of AV support.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Allocated periods for independent reading will allow students to develop and refine their academic understanding of qualitative research practice and encourage them to embed their research skills in classic and contemporary epistemological and methodological literature. Scheduled online contact time for the introductory briefing to the module, individual support and Canvas resources – including access to selected examples previously submitted by peers- will allow the student to immerse themselves in the creation and analysis of their chosen example to the benefit of their actual PhD research project.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The module is based on the qualitative analysis of the name of an imaginary author, an imaginary artefact (historical, archaeological, aesthetic; textual, manuscript), or an outline of an imaginary cultural event that in some way echoes research interests. The 2500 word portfolio will allow the student to explore this.

The module includes an element of peer assessment for the oral presentation, for which the students are briefed.

General Notes

Original Handbook text: