BUSINESS 705 : Qualitative Research Methods

Business and Economics

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Students will become familiar with current theory and practice as well as methodological debates in the use of qualitative methodologies, including ethnography, case studies, archival research, participant observation, interview and focus group methods, as well as transcription and analysis. A workshop on coding qualitative data will be included.

Course Overview

This course prepares students to undertake independent qualitative research. You will find this course useful if you are interested in collecting and interpreting non-numerical data, interested in undertaking a qualitatively based dissertation and/or research relating to the behaviours, relationships and/or cultures associated with organisations, businesses and work. Qualitative research is diverse, rich, complex and sophisticated and you will be introduced to how to think qualitatively, as well as to plan, collect and analyse qualitative data. Expect to be reading deeply on the philosophy, theory and practice of research and applying such reading in class activities and coursework. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: BUSINESS 710 Restriction: MKTG 703, 704

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop a critical awareness of philosophies, issues and debates related to the processes of conducting qualitative research. (Capability 1 and 2)
  2. Critically analyse analyse qualitative research utilising appropriate principles, assumptions, concepts, theories and tools (Capability 2 and 3)
  3. Understand and use the necessary principles and analytical tools to undertake independent, in-depth and knowledgeable qualitative research (Capability 3, 4.1 and 4.2)
  4. Competently design an ethically-informed qualitative research proposal (Capability 3 and 5.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Article Critique 25% Individual Coursework
Qualitative Research Proposal 50% Group & Individual Coursework
Discussions 25% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Article Critique
Qualitative Research Proposal
Discussions

50% overall is required to pass this course

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course. Our meetings will take the form of seminar, each between 2 and 3 hours long. Postgraduate students are expected to attend all scheduled seminars and to have fully prepared for seminars by completing the required readings. Given that each point is equivalent to 10 hours learning, the 150 hours learning required for this course will involve: 36 contact hours, 48 hours preparatory reading, and 66 hours self-study and collaborative learning. Please note that some seminar sessions will involve hands-on workshops. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Attendance is [required/expected] at scheduled activities including [labs/tutorials/studios/clinics] to [complete/receive credit for] components of the course. Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and workshops will not be available] as recordings. The course will include live online events including group discussions. There is no test or exam for which attendance on campus will be required. The activities for the course are scheduled as a block delivery (six hours weekly in Weeks 7-12).

Online

Attendance is expected at scheduled online activities including tutorials, workshops and group discussions to complete and receive credit for some components of the course. The course will include live online events including group discussions and workshops and these will only be recorded if all participants agree. There is no test or exam for which attendance on campus will be required. Where possible, study material will be made available at course commencement but may be added to throughout the course. This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Students will be expected to read and critically evaluate assigned journal articles. These assigned articles (designated as “essential” readings), other useful articles (designated as “further” readings), and other recommended resources can all be accessed via the Talis reading list (this Talis reading list can be accessed from the relevant course page on Canvas). 

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Students in a similar course have commented that they appreciated learning skills they could apply in the rest of their PG study so this course will emphasize the connections between the material covered and qualitative research practice in general.

Other Information

Expected Weekly Schedule
Week A: (Seminars 1 & 2): Understanding the Qualitative Terrain and Fundamental Qualitative Techniques
Week B: (Seminars 3 & 4): Ethnographic Methods & Evaluating Qualitative Research
Week C: (Seminars 5 & 6): Visual Research Methods & Cross-Cultural Qualitative Research
Week D: (Seminars 7 & 8): Qualitative Research Online & Current Issues in Qualitative Research
Week E: (Seminars 9 & 10): Analysing Qualitative Data & Qualitative Research Proposal Presentations
Week F: (Seminars 11 & 12): Current Issues in Qualitative Resarch and an In-class Test

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 28/02/2021 06:17 p.m.