6 ECTS credits
150 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 1023463BNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.
This course familiarizes students with the key research methods in qualitative research methods in political science: i) the literature study as providing the theoretical and conceptual research frame or as stand-alone study; ii) elite and non-elite interview, focus groups and experiments as methods for data-gathering; iii) coding, frame analysis and thematic analysis as methods for data analysis. Students learn to approach these methods in a critical and evaluative manner which enables them to, in the future, also learn other methods not addressed in the course.
Each of these methods is i) theoretically discussed (for which type of research (questions) it is suited; the pro’s and con’s); ii) practically discussed (the use of the method in political science research; the ‘do’s & don’ts’); iii) and analysed (through own analyses students learn how the method is correctly applied). The course also discusses ethical aspects of qualitative research, what makes qualitative research high-quality, and how to present research findings based on qualitative research.
Presence and participation is obligatory.
For more information on the concrete course outline: see the course’s Canvas page.
LO1: Students understand the aim and function of a literature study as part of and as final goal in qualitative research
LO2: Students know how to apply key research methods for data gathering in qualitative political science research
LO3: Students know how to apply key research methods for data analysis in qualitative political science research
LO4: Students know how to learn to adopt other research methods for data gathering and analysis in qualitative political science research
LO5: Students know how to deal with the ethical aspects of qualitative political science research
LO6: Students know the high-quality features of qualitative political science research
LO7: Students can present research findings based on qualitative research
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 90% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 10% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
1. Paper (90% of the final grade; the paper includes the results of 4 assignments which each count for 25% of the sub-grade).
The evaluation is based on an individual paper that includes his/her results of the assignments. The assignments are given at the start of the semester and students are guided throughout the semester by means of 4 group sessions. Students rework the results of their assignment after the feedback sessions, and hence finalize their paper.
2. Participation in the group sessions. (10% of the final grade with each of the group sessions counting for 25% of the sub-grade)
Per session 3 scores are possible:
Students enrol for one group session per assignment; each students thus participates in 4 group sessions.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Political Science and Sociology: - afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Political Science and Sociology: Political Science Minor Minor Education (only offered in Dutch)