Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

The unit will provide HDR students with the requisite knowledge and skills in qualitative research methodology to enable them to design and execute a PhD research project. The unit will review and explain various qualitative research methods with the aim of critically evaluating the paradigmatic underpinnings of, for example, interpretivist, phenomenological and postmodern theories as they pertain to research design and the collection and analysis of data. Topics to be covered include data gathering techniques such as interviews, content analysis, fieldwork and observation and analysis procedures such as constant comparative analysis. The unit will also provide students with the opportunity to report findings through written and oral presentation.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• acquire skills to design qualitative research studies
• acquire skills to conduct high quality independent qualitative research
• consider and evaluate data collection instruments, and sampling strategies for a qualitative research purpose
• assess research design across a range of qualitative research strategies
• conduct a qualitative research project and report in an appropriate discursive style.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

36 hours per semester (split-block mode) of formal class contact.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Doctor of PhilosophyMaster of Philosophy

Prerequisites

0029 or 3194

Co-requisites

BEX6300

Prohibitions

DBA6010