Crim3103 Advanced Qualitative Methods, winter 2023-24  MMH202  weblog  gradesheet  index    
"The interpretations of psychoanalysis are translations from a mode of expression that is alien to us into one which is familiar," Freud, Complete Psychological Works. Photo: graffiti on underpass, Uniacke, NS

Overview: This course explores issues of advanced qualitative research methods, including research ethics, using found materials, interviewing, participant observation, discourse and content analysis, thematic and narrative analysis, grounded theory, and other topics as we proceed. It is both a project design course, and a reflection on the design of projects by social researchers on their own work. Blended classes ordinarily combine face-to-face lectures with online asynchronous material, although in the event of moving to a remote delivery design the classroom becomes virtual. Research involves both guided and independent work. Suggestion: work in pairs or groups, and checkin regularly, eg. classtime.

Course text: Primary: Qualitative Research in Action, Deborah van den Hoonard, Oxford, 2019, 3rd. Secondary: The Craft of Qualitative Research. Steven Kleinknecht, ed., et al., CSP, 2018. Online link here...
Conceptual techniques to be learned include: auto/ethnography, narrative and (rolling) thematic analysis, photo-voice and photo-elicitation...
 
Evaluation: See guidelines for general details. (1) Classmark (25%) reflects 'engagement exercises', a series of 1-2 pgs sspaced with refs. As can be seen from the gradesheet, there is a sliding scale for assignments to reflect both quantity and quality. (2) Proposal (20%) due week six, research proposal for study on issue/event of interest, eg.  observations of gender and sexuality at the gym; autoethnography of shopping as a vegan; interviews on passing or coming out; the ethnography of tattoos; discourse analysis of media articles on a social problem; negotiating status as a parole officer; talking with the homeless; and so on... see the video on the homepage. (3) Project: (30%), end of term (interactive format, preferred, eg. powerpoint; or 10 page essay, dspaced; or video...). The idea is to take the proposal and expand it to the equivalent of an essay with interactive components, eg. take the essay and put it in the notes of the powerpoint, and add annotations and visual elements to the slides.  (4) Exam: (25%) short answer, or alternative

online protocol: This course uses a hybrid protocol, a blend of in-person and online (timeshifting class material into a more flexible reality). Using the required course text, notes, guided reading questions, and video exercises will be announced through webadvisor email, usually at first class time of the week. These will also be posted on the weblog, submitted through email by the end of the week, recorded on the gradesheet with feedback usually by email. The readings are mandatory, the exercises are a proxy for class attendance, and all will be preparation for a term-length guided independent research project. *This format is flexible, individually-focused, interactive, and indepth*