Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

The overall aim of this unit is that students acquire the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to enable them to develop a proposal, undertake sound qualitative research and critique qualitative research. The content and activities will enable students to understand philosophical assumptions of, and approaches to, qualitative research and engage in related theoretical debates around qualitative research, with particular reference to health. The topics include an introduction to qualitative research; the role of qualitative research in health and public health; ethics in qualitative research; paradigms and interpretive frameworks; designing and critically reviewing qualitative research proposals; approaches to qualitative research; data collection and instrument development; rigour and sampling in qualitative research; in-depth interviews, participant observation, group discussions and focus groups; qualitative data analysis; qualitative research with marginalised groups; qualitative evaluation research; writing and publishing qualitative research; and the future strengths and challenges of qualitative research.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 2UWA (Perth)Face to face
Semester 2OnlineOnline flexible
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate an understanding of philosophical assumptions of and theoretical debates in qualitative research; (2) apply different approaches to qualitative research; (3) critically appraise qualitative research articles/reports; (4) design a qualitative research proposal; (5) plan qualitative data collection methods appropriately; (6) conduct simple data analysis and reporting related to small-scale qualitative data sets; (7) evaluate ethics issues in qualitative research; and (8) construct appropriate qualitative research proposals and reports.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) ethics and qualitative research assignment; (2) critique of qualitative research paper(s); and (3) qualitative research proposal assignment. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Professor Colleen Fisher
Contact hours
seminar: 3 hours per week
Note
This unit is available both face-to-face and online. Please choose carefully when enrolling.
  • 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.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.