BU4S13 - Qualitative Research 01 Sep 2021 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BU4S13
Module Title: Qualitative Research
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Professional Development
Faculty Sub Group: Professional Development
Module Leader: Simon Thomas, Adam Poole
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2021 Final Year of Intake: 2026
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2021
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To equip doctoral students with an understanding of the rationale for and appropriate use of qualitative methods in social research, and the skills to conduct qualitative research.

Content Summary

During the module students are expected to develop their skills in the following areas:
- Understand the relationships between, and the rationale for, qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of different qualitative methods.
- Appreciate cross-cultural issues in qualitative research.
- Be able to define a researchable problem and formulate research questions.
- Be able to design a short interview protocol.
- Learn to read critically published qualitative research and be able to debate the appropriateness of different fieldwork methods,
- Be able to carry out qualitative analysis.
Professional practice skills:
- Understand ethical issues in relation to qualitative research.
- Acquire computing skills for qualitative research.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 10
Practical classes and workshops 30
Independent Study 160
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically explore and apply the main qualitative methods used, (such as interviews, analysis of secondary data, and focus groups).
LO2 Evaluate, discuss and distinguish between, generate, and appropriately use qualitative analytical techniques (such as grounded theory, discourse analysis, narrative analysis).

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Poster 1 Students will design, conduct and analyse qualitative research and present their journey in a poster presentation. 20 N/A 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Poster 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Denzin, N.K. and Lincoln, Y.S. eds., 2011. The Sage handbook of qualitative research. Sage.
Kenny, K. and Gilmore, S., 2014. From research reflexivity to research affectivity: Ethnographic research in organizations. In The Psychosocial and Organization Studies (pp. 158-182). Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Corley, K.G. and Gioia, D.A., 2004. Identity ambiguity and change in the wake of a corporate spin-off. Administrative science quarterly, 49(2), pp.173-208.
Alvesson, M. and Kärreman, D., 2007. Constructing mystery: Empirical matters in theory development. Academy of management review, 32(4), pp.1265-1281.
Gehman, J., Glaser, V.L., Eisenhardt, K.M., Gioia, D., Langley, A. and Corley, K.G., 2018. Finding theory–method fit: A comparison of three qualitative approaches to theory building. Journal of Management Inquiry, 27(3), pp.284-300.
Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C.M. and Ormston, R. eds., 2013. Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. sage.