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Qualitative Methods SOC 2150-02 Sociology Department, William Paterson University Spring 2013 Professor:! Dr.

Wendy Christensen Ofce Hours: ! Mondays & Wednesdays 3:30-4:30pm, Tuesdays 4-5pm and by appointment. Ofce: ! 456 Raubinger Hall Email: !! christensenw@wpunj.edu

That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but in a new way. Doris Lessing Course Description: Qualitative methods, or non-statistical social science research, can form the basis of surprising and profound discoveries about individuals and societies. While results may not produce generalizable statements about the social world, systematic qualitative research can provide unmatched depth and insight into sociological institutions, identities, and processes. This course is structured around the idea that the best way to learn research methods is by doing it. During this semester you will develop research goals, observe data collection and conduct interviews. In our classroom you will have the space for trial and error, and to reect on and learn from the research process. You will not be graded on errors you make during this course. Instead, you will be graded on how you navigate the processyour persistence, creativity, and willingness to explore different research methods to learn about the topic at hand. Good social research that tells us something interesting about how the social world works is the result of an interactive processasking questions about the social world, applying methods to answer those questions, and examining your experiences of collecting and analyzing data. Course Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: Describe the theoretical foundations of qualitative methods, and the relationship between theory and research. Demonstrate an understanding of the issues of research ethics, reexivity, research bias, and accountability. Describe each kind of qualitative research design and the kind of data each generates. Set up a qualitative social research proposal, choosing appropriate methods to answer specic research questions. Collect and analyze data generated from interviews, ethnography, participant observation, and textual analysis. Establish and meet validity criteria for qualitative research. Identify potential uses of qualitative analysis both for academic research and for applied sociology. Course Prerequisites: Principals of Sociology (SOC 101), Quantitative Methods (SOC 2130) Required Text: Esterberg, Kristin G. (2002) Qualitative Methods in Social Research. McGraw Hill Press.

Course Policies: Attendance: You may miss 2 classes without penalty. Each absence beyond 2 class meetings will result in a 2 point deduction on your nal grade. Arriving late to class 3 times is equivalent to 1 absence. There are no excused absences. If you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to get the notes and assignments from another student. Classroom Etiquette: You are expected to come to class with your textbook prepared to discuss the reading material. Please be courteous to your classmates: do not eat noisy food, turn off cell phones, do not text during class, and refrain from having side conversations with your classmates. You may use laptops and iPads/tablets as long as they are used appropriately and are not a distraction to yourself or your classmates. Schoology.com This semester we will use the website Schoology to organize our course work, and share resources and questions with one another. You will upload your assignments to Schoology, and I will submit your grades and feedback through the website. I will post reading questions to the website for each reading assignment. Schoology also contains a calendar of due dates, links to assigned and supplemental readings, and a place where you can ask each other for tips and advice while completing your research this semester. Assignments & Grading: Your nal grade will be made up of the following assignments:
Attendance, Quizzes, & Participation Observation Field Notes & Reection Research Question & Proposal Practice Interview Questions Human Subjects Application Interview Transcript Coding Interview Results & Reection Class Presentation Final Research Report Ongoing Wednesday 2/13 Wednesday 2/20 Wednesday 2/27 Monday 3/11 Monday 4/8 Wednesday 4/24 Monday, 5/6 11am Friday 5/10 20% 10% 10% 5% 5% 10% 20% 5% 15%

Final Grades: You will be able to track your grade and attendance progress over the course of the semester on our Schoology.com class website. A! A-! B+! B! B-! 93-100 90-92.9 87-89.9 83-86.9 80-82.9 C+! C! C-! D! F! 77-79.9 73-76.9 70-72.9 60-69.9 <60

Paper Requirements: Only Word documents will be accepted (.doc or .docx format). Assignments must be double-spaced and use 12 point standard font. Make sure to include your last name on the rst page of your assignment. Late & Missed Assignments: All work must be handed in when it is due. Late assignments will not be accepted. This is a class where we build on our work over the course the semester, so do not let yourself get behind. If You Need Help: Do not hesitate to contact me if you need assistance. You are responsible for heading off problems before they turn into emergencies. The sooner you get in touch with me about an issue, the sooner we can work to solve a problem together. Special Accommodations: If you require special accommodations to participate in, or to complete the work in this course, please let me know within the rst two weeks of class so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Academic Honesty: I expect you to follow the William Paterson University Academic Integrity Policy. Anytime you are required to turn in individual work I expect that what you turn in will be written solely by you and will be unique from that of your classmates. It is the policy of the William Paterson University Sociology Department that, with documented evidence, a student who cheats on an exam or paper for the rst time will fail the course and record of the occurrence will be sent to the department Chair and the relevant Dean. If a student cheats a second time, they will fail the course and be expelled from the sociology major and reported to the relevant Dean. Please ask if you have any questions about what is and is not acceptable. The Academic Integrity Policy can be found here: http://www.wpunj.edu/cte/wpu-academic-integrity-policy.dot

Schedule: Reading Introductions Monday 1/14 Wednesday 1/16 How to Think Like a Sociologist [online] Register for Schoology with code: 2QH6Q-PPZG7 Assignment

What is Qualitative Research? Monday 1/21 Wednesday 1/23 Research & Theory Monday 1/28 Wednesday 1/30 Observation & Ethnography Monday 2/4 Wednesday 2/6

Esterberg, Chapter 1 pages 1-10

Esterberg, Chapter 1 pages 10-22

Esterberg, Chapter 4 The Promise and Pitfalls of Going into the Field Adler & Adler [Online] Esterberg, Chapter 2 Observation & Reection Esterberg, Chapter 5 pages 83-102 Research Question & Proposal

Forming a Research Question Monday 2/11 Wednesday 2/13

Introduction to Interviewing Wednesday 2/20 Thursday 2/21 Interviewing Continued Monday 2/25 Wednesday 2/27

In Their Own Words: Making the Most of Qualitative Interviews Weiss [Online] Interview Workshop Practice Interview Questions

Ethical Issues Monday 3/4 Wednesday 3/6 Conducting the Interview Monday 3/11

Esterberg, Chapter 3

Esterberg, Chapter 5 pages 102-111

Human Subjects Application

Reading Wednesday 3/13 Sick Out of Luck: The Uninsured in America Sered & Fernandopulle [Online] Enjoy! Esterberg, Chapter 6 This Revolution is Not Being Televised Messner, Duncan, Willms [Online] Esterberg, Chapter 8

Assignment

Spring Break Unobtrusive Methods Monday 3/25 Wednesday 3/27

Making Sense of Data Monday 4/1 Wednesday 4/3 Narrative Analysis Monday 4/8 Wednesday 4/10 Writing Up Qualitative Research Monday 4/15 Wednesday 4/17 The Research Relationship Monday 4/22 Wednesday 4/24

Esterberg, Chapter 9

Interview Transcript Coding

Esterberg, Chapter 10

The Banality of Violence Blee [Online] Interview Results & Reection Esterberg, Chapter 7

Action Research Monday 4/29 Wednesday 5/1 Monday 5/6, 11am Friday 5/10

Final Presentations Final Reection Report

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