Moodle

This module gives students a practical grounding in the theory and methods of qualitative interviewing. It introduces theoretical and epistemological issues underpinning different approaches to interviewing, and addresses some of the factors that influence and shape the practice of interviewing and the encounters and conversations that this generates. Interview techniques, different types of interviews, and approaches to data analysis are also explored. Ethical issues and power differentials in the field are addressed throughout the module in relation to the topics addressed. The module will also give students the opportunity to gain practical experience on how to design and conduct a qualitative interview, and to reflect on the politics of representing and interpreting 'others'. For their main assessed assignment students will conduct an in-depth interview, and write an essay reflecting on it.
Aims and Objectives
This module aims:
* to give an overview of different approaches to qualitative data analysis
* to examine the nature of qualitative interviews, and review when they are an appropriate research method
* to take students through the qualitative research process, including design, selection of interview subjects, interview interpersonal dynamics, and analysis
* to equip students with the skills to tackle a qualitative study of their own in the future