Qualitative Methods

Code:

C209

Acronym:

METQL

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Scientific Research Methods

Instance: 2019/2020 - 2S (since 10-02-2020 to 15-05-2020)

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Criminology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
C	38	Oficial Study Plan LC	2	-	6	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This CU aims to provide an introduction to Qualitative Research in social sciences and criminology. By the end of the CU, the students should have acquired:

- An overview of the emergence and developments of Qualitative Research considering theoretical and epistemological paradigms in social sciences;
- Knowledge concerning the Qualitative Research logics, and the ways in which methodological choices are closely linked to theoretical and conceptual issues;
- Basic skills concerning design and implementation of a qualitative reserach project on the study of crime, deviance and social control;
- Skills conserning methods and procedures of collecting and analyzing data in Qualitative Research.

Learning outcomes and competences

See Objectives.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

N.A.

Program

I. Introduction to Qualitative Research:
1. Historical background and epistemological framework of Qualitative Research;
2.The Qualitative Research in the study of Crime, Deviance and Social Control;
3. Quality issues in Qualitative Research: criteria and procedures.

II. The process of Qualitative Research

1. The qualitative research planning:
a) Theory, definition of objectives and research questions;
b) Research design and types of qualitative studies;
c) The relationship between research questions and methodological issues;
d) The circularity of the research process.

2. Sampling in Qualitative Research.

3. Methods of data collection:
a) Observation;
b) Qualitative interview and Focus Group
c) The use of documents in Qualitative Research.

4. Data analysis in Qualitative Research:
a) Methods and techniques;
b) Plurality and complementarity.

Mandatory literature

Denzin Norman K. 340; Handbook of qualitative research. ISBN: 0-8039-4679-1
Flick Uwe; Métodos qualitativos na investigação científica. ISBN: 972-9413-67-3
Hagan Frank E.; Research methods in criminal justice and criminology. ISBN: 0-205-44739-2
King Roy D. 340; Doing research on crime and justice. ISBN: 978-0-19-928762-8
Mason Jennifer; Qualitative researching. ISBN: 0-8039-8986-5

Complementary Bibliography

Bardin Laurence; Análise de conteúdo. ISBN: 978-972-44-1320-4
Virginia Braun; Successful qualitative research: a practical guide for beginners. ISBN: 978-1-84787-581-5
Glaser Barney G.; The^discovery of Grounded Theory. ISBN: 0-202-30260-1
Barney G. Glaser; Theoretical sensitivity
Hammersley Martyn; Ethnography. ISBN: 0-415-08664-7
Krippendorff Klaus; Content analysis. ISBN: 0-7619-1545-1
Kvale Steinar; Interviews. ISBN: 978-0-7619-2542-2
Rubin Herbert J.; Qualitative interviewing. ISBN: 0-8039-5096-9
Silverman David; Doing qualitative research. ISBN: 7619-5823-1

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teaching methodologies combine the presentation and discussion of syllabus with practical exercises, allowing the acquisition of research abilities on planning, collection methods and data analysis.
This process is complemented with the analysis of qualitative studies through the reading and discussion of scientific articles.
The ethnographic approach is introduced by practical exercises of observation in natural context (TC hours).

The distributed evaluation component focuses on the achievement of the following practical exercises: i) Realization of a non-participant observation; ii) Conception and application of tools for collecting data, framed in a qualitative research design; iii) Critical reflection of the learning process developed throughout the semester.

 

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho de campo	30,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	104,00
Frequência das aulas	30,00
Trabalho de campo	10,00
Trabalho laboratorial	18,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

N.A.

Calculation formula of final grade

The ponderation elements for the evaluation are: 1. With 30% of the classification, an individual work consisting of the realization, registration and analysis of a non-participant observation withou grid; 2. With 50% of the classification, the construction and application of two instruments of data collection - an observation grid and an interview guide -, framed in a qualitative research design. This second component can be done individually or in a group; 3. With 20% of the classification, the realization of and individual critical reflection on the learning process developed throughout the semester in this CU.

The final classification of the CU corresponds to the weighted, and rounded, average of the classifications obtained in the three mentioned evaluation elements. Each of the three components of the Distributed Evaluation will be classified on a scale of 0 to 20 values. In order to conclude the CU, students should obtain, at least, a classification of 8 values in each component and a final classification of, at least, 10 values.

(See Knowledge Assessment Regulation of the First Cycle of Studies in Criminology of the Faculty of Law of Universidade do Porto)

Classification improvement

Students who whish to improve their grades will have to take a written test on a date to be designated during the exams period.