Last modified: 20 Jun 2025 15:14
The course is designed to equip students and professionals with expertise to undertake qualitative research methods in their studies or workplace. By focusing on research interviews and focus groups, you will acquire skills in research design and the execution of key qualitative research methods. You will become proficient in qualitative data collection and data analysis. Teaching materials include online video lectures, discussion boards, selected readings and a range of supplementary content.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Research interviews and focus groups are central to qualitative research. This bespoke online course provides students with knowledge and skills to undertake effective research, from design to data collection and data analysis. You will learn how to undertake research interviews and focus groups in a range of settings, while also exploring the ethics of research and how to analyse information you have discovered. Teaching materials include online video lectures, discussion boards, specially selected readings and a range of supplementary content informed by the diverse experiences of social scientists at the University of Aberdeen. All students will have an online portfolio space to develop their work and communicate with other course participants, while a dedicated course tutor will provide individual guidance and feedback.
The course will allow you to demonstrate your new skills through two assignments which provide the opportunity to design a qualitative research project and to reflect on the experience of applying data collection methods and analysis.
By the end of the course, you will:
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 17 | Feedback Weeks | 20 | |
| Feedback |
1,000-word Reflective Report on application of research methods and data analysis. Feedback via MyAberdeen within 3 weeks of assessment date. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Design qualitative research using interviews and/or focus groups. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Describe the merits and challenges of qualitative research in social science. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse qualitative data. |
| Reflection | Understand | Acknowledge ethical considerations of qualitative research. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 14 | Feedback Weeks | 17 | |
| Feedback |
1,000-word Project Plan - design a Social Science Qualitative Research Proposal using Interviews and/or Focus Groups. Feedback to be provided via MyAberdeen and within three weeks of assessment date. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Design qualitative research using interviews and/or focus groups. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Describe the merits and challenges of qualitative research in social science. |
| Procedural | Apply | Demonstrate skills in qualitative research methods: interviews and focus groups. |
| Reflection | Understand | Acknowledge ethical considerations of qualitative research. |
| Assessment Type | Formative | Weighting | 0 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 11 | Feedback Weeks | 12 | |
| Feedback |
500-word Project Plan - summary of a draft plan for a Social Science Qualitative Research Proposal using Interviews and/or Focus Groups. Feedback to be provided via MyAberdeen and within one week of submission. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Design qualitative research using interviews and/or focus groups. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Describe the merits and challenges of qualitative research in social science. |
| Procedural | Apply | Demonstrate skills in qualitative research methods: interviews and focus groups. |
| Reflection | Understand | Acknowledge ethical considerations of qualitative research. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 24 | Feedback Weeks | 27 | |
| Feedback |
2,000-word Resit Essay. Feedback via MyAberdeen within three weeks of submission date. |
Word Count | 2000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Apply | Demonstrate skills in qualitative research methods: interviews and focus groups. |
| Conceptual | Create | Design qualitative research using interviews and/or focus groups. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Describe the merits and challenges of qualitative research in social science. |
| Reflection | Understand | Acknowledge ethical considerations of qualitative research. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse qualitative data. |
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