Doing Qualitative Research Design and Data Collection

Course Details

• 3 hours/week

Prerequisite

NUR1024H

This course will deal with the issues and activities involved in designing and conducting qualitative research studies. It will build on NUR1024H – Foundations of Qualitative Inquiry, the first course in the Essentials of Qualitative Inquiry series. It emphasizes the practical considerations associated with designing qualitative studies, coordinating fieldwork, field relations, techniques of data collection, and data management. However, it also considers the implications of the activities of knowledge construction by addressing the dilemmas associated with reflexivity, positionality and rigor at various points in the design and conduct of qualitative studies. We will explore literature from the health and social sciences to examine the various issues and approaches associated with design and conduct of qualitative inquiry. Evaluation of student learning will enable students to pursue the steps of designing a research project over the course of three assignments: a) short problem statement, development of the research question(s), and selection of a suitable methodological approach, b) an outline of sampling strategy and data collection methods that will address the research question(s) developed earlier, and c) a design of a study. Classes will include large group discussions of weekly topics and readings, in addition to small group exercises that encourage experiential learning and reflexive discussion of qualitative research activities. Analysis of qualitative data is not dealt with extensively in this course because it is the focus of the third course in the Essentials of Qualitative Inquiry series: CHL 5115 – Qualitative Analysis & Interpretation.