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Upon completion of this course, the students are able to
- describe methods for collection and analysis of qualitative data;
- discuss the applicability of these methods in a given case;
- describe qualitative research paradigms and position their own research within them;
- discuss methodological aspects of qualitative research, including credibility and ethical issues;
- make use of software for qualitative data analysis, in particular Atlas.ti;
- carry out a small-scale qualitative study and orally present the findings;
- set up and give a lecture on a given topic for their peers;
- give constructive feedback on lectures and assign fair grades.
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How do you get reliable findings when the research topic cannot be captured in a mathematical formula, a test tube, or a computer program? How would you research, for example, properties of IT stakeholders and organisations: their (user) behaviour, opinions, attitudes, interaction, language, and communication? A researcher in the field of information science creates bridges between typical social or management issues (organisational context, documentation) and formal and physical issues (exact science, engineering, technology).
In this course we explore research methods and techniques relevant to information sciences, with a strong emphasis on qualitative research. Apart from theoretical aspects, we will pay attention to applications of the methods and to the use of software for qualitative data analysis.
Instructional Modes
- Lectures by teachers
- Lectures by students
- Tutorials for research project
- Self-study
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Students are familiar with basic methodological principles of scientific research, comparable to the Computer Science Bachelor’s course Research Methods. (NWI-IBI007). They are able to review scientific literature, formulate research questions, select an appropriate strategy, translate (‘operationalize’) research questions in terms of data collection and data analysis methods, compose a research plan.
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Digital CIRRUS test: 40%
Qualitative research analysis project with presentation: 40%
Students' own lectures (graded by peers and teachers): 20%
In order to pass the course, all individual grades need to be sufficient (at least 6).
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Live attendance to lecture and tutorial sessions is mandatory, as students will be lecturing to each other, are required to participate in class discussions and to give live feedback to their peers.
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