Qualitative Data in Political Science

Knowledge

You will learn how to:

• efficiently and appropriately gather and/or construct qualitative empirical data;
• plan, carry out, systematize, and assess qualitative interviews;
• gather, systematize, assess, and measure data from documents;
• combine, compare, and contrast different types of data;
• address challenges of research ethics and data protection;
• specify and assess the role of qualitative research within larger scientific programs and discussions.

Skills

You will be trained in:

• developing and executing qualitative data-gathering and/or construction strategies;
• strategically adjusting research questions, hypotheses, and data sources to each other throughout the research process;
• identifying generalization potentials in small-N research drawing on varying qualitative data;
• identifying the qualitative research techniques that fit best with various research objectives.

General competencies

After the course, you will be able to:

• develop a sound research method for your qualitative master’s thesis project;
• assess methodological strengths and weaknesses of small-N research publications.

Lectures

10 lectures will be given.

Compulsory activities:

• Attend three of five seminars

In the event of illness or other valid reasons, you can apply for a valid absence or postponement of compulsory activity.

Apply for valid absence from or need for postponement of compulsory activity

Seminars

Seminars will clarify possible solutions to tasks discussed in individual written memos handed in advance of seminars. A workshop in the software NVivo will also be offered during the course.

Students hand in three written memos in advance of seminars (1500-2000 words each). In addition they hand in a group report (2500 - 3000 words). Each memo is associated with a specific seminar in which students present their work and discuss it with seminar leader and their fellow students.

The three written memos serve as the individual components of a portfolio exam.

Portfolio exam consisting of three submissions that are also discussed during the seminars. The three submissions cover:

• development of an interview guide;
• coding of qualitative data;
• critical assessment of qualitative methods applied in published scientific publications.

The three memos can be revised and then submitted collectively as a portfolio exam.

Pevious exams and examination guidelines

• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Resitting an examination