Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Qualitative Methods
Module Code	LG603
School	School of Law & Government
Online Module Resources
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This is a theoretical and empirical course is designed to introduce students to the qualitative methods and the applied analysis of text and discourse in positivist, critical, postmodern and poststructuralist guises, specifically, the approaches of (1) process tracing (2) content analysis, (3) critical discourse analysis (4) discourse theory and (5) poststructuralist discourse analysis/deconstruction. The course will locate each of the approaches in relation to different epistemological positions and recent developments in empirical research in the social sciences, including politics and international relations. Students will learn to appreciate the advantages and suitability of each approach in application to particular research questions. The course is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Students are expected to attend lectures and contribute to seminar discussions on the theory and practice of each of the five methods.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the key characteristics of each method of (1) process tracing (2) content analysis (3) critical discourse analysis (4) discourse theory and (5) deconstruction
2. Understand the benefits and applicability of each method to particular social science research questions
3. Appreciate the location of each of the methods on an epistemological spectrum
4. Explain the similarities and differences of each method in relation to one another
5. Apply each of the methods to an appropriate social science research question
6. Evaluate the worth of each method in relation to their own PhD research question

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	12	No Description
Seminars	12	No Description
Independent learning time	101	Preparation for lectures/seminars and reading for course assignment work
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction: Advantages and benefits of qualitative methods.
* Rigour in Qualitative work* Documents and Interviews - your building blocks* Analytical Narrative - more than story telling.

Process-tracing.
An assessment the components of process-tracing and how the technique might be applied.

Process-tracing in practice.
An evaluation of examples of process-tracing work in academic journal articles.

Content Analysis.
An assessment the components of content analysis and how the technique might be applied.

Content Analysis in Practice.
An evaluation of examples of content analysis work in academic journal articles.

Critical Discourse Analysis.
An assessment the components of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and how the technique might be applied.

Critical Discourse Analysis in Practice.
An evaluation of examples of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) work in academic journal articles.

Discourse Theory and Deconstruction.
An assessment the components of discourse theory and deconstruction and how the techniques might be applied.

Discourse Theory and Deconstruction in Practice.
An evaluation of examples of Discourse Theory and Deconstruction in academic journal articles.

Discourse Analysis, Identity and Social Constructivism.
An examination of the different constituent forms and concepts of identity that underpin the latter three discourse analysis approaches within the theoretical paradigm of constructivism.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assignment	A 3000-word paper on the methodology chapter of your PhD dissertation, focusing on the qualitative technique(s) you are using (or thinking of using) in your dissertation and evaluating the advantages, disadvantages and 'fit' of the chosen technique(s) with your PhD research question OR A 3000-word paper comparing the utility and appropriateness of two or more of the methodological technique(s) used in the articles provided as reading material for the course as research approaches to either (1) a key issue in International Relations or (2) your PhD research question	100%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Brady, Henry and David Collier eds: 2004, Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Tools, Shared Standards, Rowman and Littlefield, Lanhan,
Bryman, Alan: 2004, Social Research Methods, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
George, Alexander and Andrew Bennett eds: 0, Case Studies and the Development of Theory in the Social Sciences, MIT Press, Cambridge,
King, Gary, Robert Keohane, Sydney Verba: 1994, Designing Social Enquiry, Princeton University Press, Princeton,
Shively, W. Philips: 2004, The Craft of Political Research, 6th, Pearson, New Jersey,
Landman, Todd: 2000, Issues and Methods in Comparative Politics: An Introduction, Routledge, London,
Jacob Torfing: 1999, New Theories of Discourse, Blackwell, Oxford,

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

ALPD

PhD

ALPM

ALPT

PhD-track

ARAPM

Master of Arts

ARPD