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Designing a Qualitative Study

Date:

21/10/2015

Organised by:

Social Research Association

Presenter:

Liz Spencer

Level:

Entry (no or almost no prior knowledge)

Contact:

Lindsay Adams, Tel: 0207 998 0304; email: lindsay.adams@the-sra.org.uk

Map:

View in Google Maps  (EH1 3BH)

Venue:

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel (tbc)

Description:

If you get off on the wrong foot, it is hard to get a project back on track. This one-day intensive course aims to equip participants with a good understanding of the planning and preparation required when conducting a qualitative research project. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on practical sessions, it covers:

  • the nature of qualitative research – what it can and cannot deliver
  • main methods and techniques
  • developing qualitative research questions
  • choosing an appropriate research strategy
  • drawing a qualitative sample
  • designing topic guides for use in interview or focus group based studies
  • judging the ‘quality’ of qualitative research.

Anyone considering taking a course in qualitative interviewing or focus group skills would be advised to take the design course as it provides an invaluable foundation.

Course tutor

Liz Spencer is a Sociologist and an Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences who has specialised in qualitative methods since 1973. She has held research posts at a number of British universities, including the London School of Economics, The London Graduate School of Business Studies, and the University of Essex, and was a Research Director at the National Centre for Social Research. She teaches a range of courses for the Social Research Association and for the Universities of Hong Kong and Essex, and has been a Visiting Professor at the Institute for Higher Studies in Vienna.

Currently Liz is a Research Associate of the Institute for Social and Economic Research as well as an independent research consultant. Her recent methodological publications include chapters in Qualitative Research Practice and a report for the Cabinet Office on judging the quality of qualitative research and evaluation. Together with Jane Ritchie, she pioneered ‘Framework’, a matrix-based approach to data management and display

Cost:

£260 but SRA members pay £195

Website and registration:

Region:

Scotland

Keywords:

Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis

Related publications and presentations:

Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis

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