Introduction to Qualitative Research

Date:

25/09/2017

Organised by:

Social Research Association

Presenter:

Ashley Brown, NatCen Social Research

Level:

Entry (no or almost no prior knowledge)

Contact:

Lindsay Adams - T: 0207 998 0304
E: lindsay.adams@the-sra.org.uk

Map:

View in Google Maps  (WC2B 5DA)

Venue:

Grand Connaught Rooms, Great Queen Street, London(tbc)

Description:

Introduction/overview

This course is designed to equip participants with a clear understanding of qualitative research, in terms of what its key features are and the different methods that are commonly used within it. It is also intended to give you an appreciation of what qualitative research can be used for and how its findings can be understood and presented to a wider audience.

The course will be delivered through a mixture of taught sessions and practical exercises.

Objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • describe the key features of qualitative research and its key contributions and applications
  • make informed decisions about which types of research questions are best answered using qualitative approaches
  • contrast qualitative and quantitative approaches and understand when they are best used singly or in combination
  • understand the advantages and disadvantages of different qualitative research methods
  • recognise quality in the design, undertaking and reporting of qualitative research
  • understand how to make use of qualitative research evidence in a credible way

Topics

  • The role and use of qualitative methods in social research
  • The key principles of qualitative sampling
  • Qualitative data collection tools and techniques, with a focus on in-depth interviews and focus groups
  • The key principles of managing and analysing qualitative data
  • Talking about and using qualitative data credibly

Who will benefit?

We hope this course will be useful to you if you:

  • are new to qualitative research, or about to embark on your first project
  • commission or manage qualitative research in central or local government, health or other applied policy sectors
  • work in a different research discipline (e.g. quantitative research) and are about to collaborate with qualitative researchers or use qualitative research findings

Course tutor

Ashley Brown is a Research Director in NatCen’s Crime and Justice team. She specialises in qualitative methods and has developed a portfolio of sensitive research with people in vulnerable circumstances. This includes research with perpetrators and victims/survivors of crime and the agencies which engage with them. She has also conducted research on subjects including the environment, young people, mental health and equalities and discrimination. Before joining NatCen in 2009, Ashley held posts at Barnardo’s and the Scottish Youth Parliament. Ashley has an MA (Hons) in Philosophy and Politics from the University of Edinburgh.

Cost:

£260 - SRA members pay £195

Website and registration:

Region:

Greater London

Keywords:

Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis

Related publications and presentations:

Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis

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