Unit details
ANTH4101 Advanced Qualitative Methods: Interviews and Focus Groups
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) | Availability | Location | Mode |
|---|
| Semester 2 | UWA (Perth) | Face to face |
- Details for undergraduate courses
- Honours core unit in Anthropology and Sociology [Bachelor of Arts (Honours)]
- Content
- Students are introduced to a range of practical dilemmas, ethical challenges and the details of how knowledge is produced in anthropological research as it is applied in research settings and professional practice. The aim is for students to learn about aspects of practising as a professional social scientist and to gain an in-depth understanding of qualitative interview methods. Social Science graduates increasingly find employment 'outside' the Academy and there is an increasing demand for social scientists in a diverse range of settings. Therefore, an implicit theme in the seminar series is for students to consider the challenges, ethical dilemmas, and the adaptation of qualitative interview methods in a range of applied contexts. Students gain experience in conducting qualitative interviews, analysing the data collected and presenting it in oral and written form.
- Outcomes
- Students are able to (1) demonstrate a coherent and advanced knowledge of a range of epistomologies; a comprehensive understanding of qualitative interview methods and focus groups, their strengths and limitations and their role in research; (2) demonstrate the ability to develop an appropriate research question for a project based on qualitative interview and focus groups data collection; discuss their research question and design with clarity and receptivity to constructive criticism; and understand the importance of an evidence-based explanation, not mere description; (3) critically analyse research projects that utilise qualitative interview and focus groups data collection to understand its underlying assumptions and epistomologies and the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of the approach; and (4) demonstrate the ability to prepare the ethics application, Information Sheet and interview shedule for their research question; a comprehensive understanding ethical implications of this method.
- Assessment
- Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) seminar participation and (2) written and oral assessments. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Loretta Baldassar
- Unit rules
- Incompatibility:
- ANTH7481 Honours Seminar 1 (Anthropology)
- Contact hours
- seminars: 2 hours per week for up to 10 weeks
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Books and other material wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary reading', 'Recommended reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. Where texts are listed in the unit description above, an asterisk (*) indicates that the book is available in paperback.