Qualitative Research in Social Organization

The module provides students with the theoretical and methodological competencies necessary to analyse social organisations with qualitative research methods.
One of the main objectives of the module is to understand the challenges and complexities associated with qualitative research, and to offer students the opportunity to learn an appropriate use of qualitative research methods in order to analyse, with a cultural approach, both organisations and social phenomena. In particular, the course aims to prepare students for the conduct of a research exercise (through participant observation or face-to-face interviews) and the subsequent presentation of the empirical material collected. More generally, the module aims to develop the skills that allow students to define research objectives, to autonomously identify research questions, and to choose consistent methodological approaches and techniques for the analysis of specific organisational and social processes. For this purpose, the main methods of data collection - interviews, participant observation, focus groups - and the main ethical issues in carrying out qualitative research will be illustrated. These are further developed through lectures supported by slides and video-recorded lessons, and by a research exercise to be conducted by students.
Consistently with the general objectives of the Degree in which it is included, the course of Qualitative research in social organisations aims to provide students with theoretical and methodological competences for analysing organisational and social contexts in contemporary society.

At the end of the course Qualitative research in social organisations, students are expected to have acquired competences and skills related to: (i) the main epistemological perspectives underlying qualitative research; (ii) the main phases of an empirical research in social organisations; (iii) the choice and use of a methodological approach and of research techniques to study organisational and social contexts. The expected learning outcomes also include the acquisition of adequate communication skills, particularly regarding the use of the specific language relating to the theoretical and methodological aspects of a cultural approach to the study of organisations. These skills will also be developed through the independent work of students and the writing of a written essay, in which the ability to argue will be tested both with regard to the interpretation of the organisational and social phenomena discussed during the lectures, and with regard to the choice of research tools learned. The final assessment aims to verify the expected learning outcomes in relation to the process of knowledge transfer and the ability to critically discuss concepts, theoretical and methodological perspectives regarding the topic of qualitative research in social organisations as illustrated during the course.