Postgraduate Course: Qualitative Methods and Ethnographic Fieldwork (PGSP11188)
Course Outline
| School |
School of Social and Political Science |
College |
College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
| Home subject area |
Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies) |
Other subject area |
None |
| Course website |
None
|
Taught in Gaelic? |
No |
| Course description |
The course introduces the historical and theoretical background to ethnographic methods with references to practice in sociology and social anthropology. Although qualitative methods may also be associated merely with small samples yet formal interviewing techniques, here emphasis will be placed on informal and unstructured or semi-structured approaches. These include participant observation and the context of interviewing. The mechanics and methods of participant observation will be outlined with examples, including those presented in autobiographical accounts. Participants will discuss the emergent methodological issues from informal interviews. The unique ethical and political problems in the publication of ethnographic detail will be briefly considered. Finally, the recording and analysis of field notes and other research material arising from intensive fieldwork and eventual presentation will be addressed.
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Entry Requirements
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites |
|
| Prohibited Combinations |
|
Other requirements |
None
|
| Additional Costs |
None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Central | Lecture | | 1-11 | 11:10 - 13:00 | | | | |
| First Class |
Week 1, Monday, 11:10 - 13:00, Zone: Central. Sydney Smith, Medical School, Teviot |
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students should:
1. be able to carry out participant observation and other forms of social research from the fieldwork tradition;
2. be reflexive about the conduct of qualitative research, and be able to assess critically other pieces of research carried out in this tradition;
3. be aware of the main ethical and theoretical issues raised by this research method.
|
Assessment Information
sample of fieldnotes and a reflective assessment of their strengths and weaknesses |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords |
Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser |
Dr Jennifer Curtis
Tel:
Email: jennifer.curtis@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Mrs Gillian Macdonald
Tel: (0131 6)51 3244
Email: gillian.macdonald@ed.ac.uk |
|
copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh -
13 January 2011 6:34 am
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