Data Lab
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The Qualitative Data Lab provides students with specific technical knowledge in the collection and analysis of qualitative data to better understand the various issues related to contemporary social phenomena. In the first part, the Lab will provide knowledge about the distinctive features of the qualitative research; the research design; the use of the principal methods like ethnography and l techniques like participant observation, various types of qualitative interviews, focus groups, shadowing, visual methods for documents analysis, the access to the research field, and the analysis of qualitative data. In the second part, the Lab will focus on the specific methodological tool of the qualitative interview, in particular the semi-structured interview. Students will learn how to build an interview structure; conduct interviews dealing with the complex and related ethical and methodological issues; transcript interviews; analyse interview data and how to write a scientific paper with qualitative data based on the interviews. The Lab will build on an alternation of lectures and exercises. In the exercises students (alone or in groups) will experiment with the methodological tools of the interview.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the Qualitative Data Lab, students will be able to:
· identify the right qualitative methodological tools for specific research questions;
· build an interview structure;
· conduct an interview and deal with the related ethical and methodological issues;
· analyse interview data;
· present research results in scientific oral and written form
· identify the right qualitative methodological tools for specific research questions;
· build an interview structure;
· conduct an interview and deal with the related ethical and methodological issues;
· analyse interview data;
· present research results in scientific oral and written form
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
WEEK 1 - Introduction to qualitative research: the research question; the research design; the ethnography; the principle methodological techniques like participant observation, various types of qualitative interviews, focus group, shadowing, visual methods for document analysis, the access to the research field.
WEEK 2 - Focus on the methodological technique of the qualitative interview: the semi-structured interview. How to construct the structure of the interview; the access to the field; how to conduct the interview; the ethical and methodological issues; how conducting interviews changed during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
WEEK 3 - Practice exercise 1: how to construct and conduct an interview
WEEK 4 - Analysis of the interview and the qualitative data. How to communicate the research results: ethnographic writing.
WEEK 5 - Practice exercise 2: presentation of the research results by the students
WEEK 2 - Focus on the methodological technique of the qualitative interview: the semi-structured interview. How to construct the structure of the interview; the access to the field; how to conduct the interview; the ethical and methodological issues; how conducting interviews changed during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
WEEK 3 - Practice exercise 1: how to construct and conduct an interview
WEEK 4 - Analysis of the interview and the qualitative data. How to communicate the research results: ethnographic writing.
WEEK 5 - Practice exercise 2: presentation of the research results by the students
Prerequisites for admission
The Lab is open to students who already have the basic knowledge of social research methods, notably qualitative and quantitative research. The Lab will be especially useful for students who plan to use qualitative methods for their final dissertation.
Teaching methods
The Lab combines lectures, which will include an interactive part, together with practical exercises through which the students will experiment the technique of the semi-structured interview. Lessons will take place in class and there will be individual or group activities. Students will conduct 4-5 interviews outside the lesson time, which will then be presented, analysed and discussed in class. Since the course is a Lab, physical attendance is strongly encouraged.
Teaching Resources
- Cardano, M., 2020. Defending qualitative research: design, analysis, and textualization. Routledge.
- Flick, U. ed., 2017. The Sage handbook of qualitative data collection. Sage.
- Holstein, J.A. & J.F. Gubrium, 1997. "Active Interviewing", in D. Silverman (Ed.), Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice, London, Sage, pp. 116-129.
- Flick, U. ed., 2017. The Sage handbook of qualitative data collection. Sage.
- Holstein, J.A. & J.F. Gubrium, 1997. "Active Interviewing", in D. Silverman (Ed.), Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice, London, Sage, pp. 116-129.
Assessment methods and Criteria
In order to obtain the 3 ECTS associated to the Lab, attending students should take part in at least 80% of the Lab (16 hours out of twenty) and do the in-class activities and the suggested assignments. Non-attending students will take a final written exam.
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