NUR 8040 Qualitative Research Methods

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

Inquiry into intra-personal and inter-personal human experience requires sensitive, qualitative methods and any attempts to change human action is best based upon these understandings. This is in contrast to many aspects of the physical and biological world which can be well explained by quantitative methods and can be changed by techno-rational means. These same methods, however, do not help us to understand many important aspects of the social world and the emotional/spiritual world of individuals. This course introduces postgraduate students developing research skills to the specific practices of qualitative methods of data collection, management, analysis and interpretation.

SYNOPSIS:

The course is concerned with the skills of the qualitative researcher including the researcher as instrument, participant observation, individual interviewing, focus-group interviews, grounded theorising text-based research, praxis and action research. The course provides an overview of qualitative data analysis including thematic analysis, grounded theorising, critical incident analysis, theory-based analysis and the use of computers in qualitative data analysis.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. critically examine their own values, biases and beliefs and show how these are either bracketed or related to their research process and findings;
2. demonstrate integrity, sensitivity, openness, honesty and non-judgmental acceptance as a qualitative researcher in an interview situation;
3. demonstrate beginning skills in participant observation and individual interviewing; and
4. critically examine and select an appropriate method to analyse qualitative data including: thematic analysis, grounded theorising, critical incident analysis, theory-based analysis and the use of computers in qualitative data analysis.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete an assessment item satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for that assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items and must have submitted each of the assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES