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This module is open to Year 2 and Year 3/4 students and there are no prerequisites required.

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Although quantitative research has traditionally been dominant in economics, in the last decade there have been an increasing number of scholars using qualitative or mixed methods approaches (i.e. the use of qualitative and quantitative methods in combination). Such a trend is partly driven by an increasing interdisciplinary in the social sciences. For instance a growing body of anthropological, sociological and interdisciplinary research is focused on topics that are of interest to economist.

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The main purpose of the course is to provide students with a clear understanding of the major sets of qualitative methods that maybe be used in business, economics and closely related disciplines. The focus will be on understanding the advantages of using qualitative or mixed methods over more traditional quantitative approaches. However the discussion will emphasise that both quantitative and qualitative methods have their own strengths, and how much can be learned from one type of method or the other depends on specific issues that arise in studying the topic of interest. The course is advised for HPE students doing economics oriented dissertation and not relying on quantitative methodology.

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This is a generalist, introductory course and students can attend with no experience of previous research methods training.

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The course starts with a discussion on different research philosophies and then provides an in depth overview of a range of qualitative methodologies. Examples of methodologies covered are: case studies; interviewing & focus groups; Ethnography; qualitative data analysis; mix method research design. Issues of research design, epistemology and ethics are also addressed.

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Indicative Topics

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The module will cover the following topics, which may be subject to variation depending on developments in academic research and the interests of the class:

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Issues in Research Design

Case Studies

Interviewing and Focus Group

Qualitative Data Analysis

Mix Method Research Design

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By the end of the module, you should develop:

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• Provide an understanding on basic epistemological considerations

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• Equip students with the basic tools to undertake independent research in topics related to business and economics using qualitative methodologies

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• Equip students with conceptual understandings of strengths and weaknesses of different research methods

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• Students will practice skills including interviewing, running a focus group, qualitative data analysis

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Teaching Delivery

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The module is delivered with a combination of lectures and seminars. In the lectures we will discuss the growing use of qualitative methods in business, economics and closely related fields, aiming to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of the major qualitative methods and how and why they are used. Lectures are interactive and introduce the key conceptual issues of each method discussed.

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Seminars provide hands-on experience of the methods discussed in the lectures and will focus on examples drawn from business, economics and closely related disciplines. In particular we will discuss studies on poverty, social programme, health care, urban issues, innovation and management and show how qualitative research can addressed the topics investigated.