Description of the course
The goal of this course is to help students develop research skills in qualitative methods, as well as the ability to critique and evaluate academic works employing such methods. The course covers three broad topics. First, we will briefly review the history of the political science and public administration disciplines and consider how the debate between quantitative and qualitative methods has evolved in the post-war period. Second, we will evaluate various strategies for the design of qualitative studies, including covariational analysis and causal process-tracing. Finally, we will interrogate the practicalities of doing qualitative research when applying various research techniques, such as in-depth interviewing, archival research and coding. The course consists of a series of online learning modules (accessible via the course management platform), each consisting of a series of knowledge clips, readings (journal articles and book chapters), and short exercises that students are required to complete. The online learning modules are combined with face-to-face group sessions in which qualitative methods are discussed and applied.
Learning objectives course
After completing this course, you will be able to:
Position scholarly work within the methodological debates regarding quantitative and qualitative social science research;
Identify the appropriate research techniques and methods of analysis to investigate qualitative research questions;
Independently design and carry out a qualitative analysis based on interviews or documentary evidence, with attention for prevailing standards of research ethics and data management;
Effectively report and present the results of a qualitative research project.
Teaching methods/mode of instruction
Interactive lectures (online)
Seminars (offline)
Diagnostic quizzes
Written assignments
Final paper
Type of assessment
Assessment consists of three written assignments (20%; 20%; 50%) and class participation (10%). Each assignment needs to be completed with a grade of 5,5 or higher to pass the course. The final grade for the course is established by determining the weighted average of the partial grades. Compensation of partial grades is not possible.
Course load
The total course load is 168 hours:
Online modules: 76 hours
Seminars and workshops: 14 hours
Written assignments: 78 hours
Course materials/reading list
Course readings will consist of academic journal articles and book chapters. A list of readings will be integrated into the online learning modules, made available via the course management platform at least one week before the start of the course. This course does not require the purchase of a textbook.
Brightspace
A Brightspace page for this course will be made available one week prior to the start of the course. On this website, you can find the online modules, readings and assignments. Brightspace will be used for course communication, the distribution of additional course information and for the submission of assignments.