Course

Unit 1

Introduction

Nature and Characteristics; Difference between Qualitative and Quantitative research; Philosophical background – Constructivism, Interpretivism, Phenomenology, Scope and applications. Interactive overview using Miro / Jamboard concept maps. Zotero workshop for organizing qualitative literature sources

Unit 2

Data collection methods 

Types of Observations and Field notes; Interviews and it types; Focus group design and facilitation; Document analysis and Archival research. Google Forms / Microsoft Forms for interview & focus group question templates. Otter.ai / Whisper for automated transcription of interview audio. Zoom breakout rooms for virtual focus group simulations. Evernote or Notion for digital field note management. 

Unit 3

Qualitative data analysis

Thematic analysis, Grounded theory, Content analysis, and discourse analysis. Taguette (open source) for coding and theme generation. NVivo (demo) to visualise word frequencies and thematic connections. Miro whiteboards for creating theme networks

Unit 4

Advanced techniques

Narrative analysis, Ethnography, Case study research, Mixed methods research. Digital storytelling tools (Canva, StoryMapJS) for narrative representation. Google Earth / virtual ethnography tools for online fieldwork simulations. MAXQDA Analytics Pro demo for integrating qualitative & quantitative data. 

Unit 5

Mini Project Preparation and Submission

Students will conduct qualitative research and submit the mini-project report

Text Books / References

Textbooks

1. Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (2011). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (4th ed.). Sage.
2. Flick, U. (2018). An introduction to qualitative research (6th ed.). Sage Publications Limited.
3. Willig, C. (2013). Introducing qualitative research in psychology (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
4. Smith, J. A. (Ed.). (2015). Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
5. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE Publications.

Suggested Readings

1. Bernard, H. R. (2017). Research methods in anthropology: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Rowman & Littlefield.
2. Marshall, P. A. (2003). Human subjects’ protections, institutional review boards, and cultural anthropological research. Anthropological Quarterly, 76(2), 269–292
3. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Qualitative Research Methods is a course designed to provide psychology students with an in-depth understanding of non-numerical research techniques used to explore human behaviour, experiences, and social phenomena. Unlike quantitative approaches, qualitative research prioritises rich, descriptive data and seeks to capture the complexity of psychological processes through methods that emphasise depth over breadth.

Introduction to Qualitative Research: The course begins by defining qualitative research and outlining its importance in psychology. Students will learn how qualitative approaches differ from quantitative methods, particularly in their focus on meanings, interpretations, and lived experiences. By examining real-world contexts and individual perspectives, qualitative research offers insights that cannot be fully captured by statistical analysis.

Key Methodologies: The curriculum covers a range of core methodologies, including: Interviews: One-on-one or group interviews allow researchers to gain detailed information about participants’ thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Students will learn how to develop effective interview questions and create an environment conducive to open dialogue. Focus Groups: Focus groups bring together several participants to discuss specific topics, encouraging interaction and collective reflection. This method is useful for understanding shared experiences and group dynamics. Ethnography: Ethnographic research involves observing and engaging with participants in their natural settings. Through immersive fieldwork, students can explore cultural practices, social interactions, and everyday behaviours. Case Studies: Case studies examine individuals, groups, or organisations in depth, providing comprehensive insights into unique psychological phenomena. Students will learn how to select cases and gather multiple sources of evidence.

Designing Qualitative Studies: The course guides students through the planning process for qualitative research. This includes identifying research questions, choosing appropriate methods, selecting participants (sampling), and considering ethical issues such as informed consent and confidentiality. Students will understand how to adapt their study design to the specific context and purpose of their research.

Data Collection and Analysis: Students will develop skills in collecting data through interviews, focus groups, and field observations. The course emphasises the use of thematic analysis, a systematic approach for identifying, organising, and interpreting patterns within qualitative data. Students will be trained to code data, develop themes, and draw meaningful conclusions, ensuring their analysis is transparent and rigorous.

Role of Context, Subjectivity, and Reflexivity: A central feature of qualitative research is the recognition of context—the social, cultural, and environmental factors that influence behaviour and experience. The course highlights the importance of subjectivity, acknowledging that both participants and researchers bring their own perspectives to the research process. Reflexivity encourages researchers to critically examine their own biases and how these may affect the study, fostering ethical and trustworthy research practices.

Skills and Competencies: By the end of the course, students will have developed practical abilities in designing qualitative studies, conducting interviews and focus groups, performing ethnographic observations, and analysing data using thematic techniques. They will also gain competencies in critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and reflexive practice, all of which are essential for contributing to psychological knowledge and addressing complex research questions.

Conclusion: Overall, the Qualitative Research Methods course equips students with a comprehensive toolkit for exploring psychological phenomena in depth. Graduates will be able to carry out qualitative investigations, interpret findings within relevant contexts, and advance the understanding of human behaviour through qualitative inquiry. These skills are invaluable for both academic research and applied psychology settings.

Course Objectives:

• To understand the principles and methodologies of qualitative research in psychology.
• To learn how to design qualitative research studies, including choosing appropriate methods and sampling techniques.
• To develop skills in data collection through interviews, focus groups, and other qualitative methods.
• To analyse and interpret qualitative data using techniques such as thematic and content analysis.
• To critically evaluate qualitative research and understand the ethical considerations involved.
• To introduce students to basic digital tools for qualitative data collection, transcription, organisation, and analysis

Course Outcomes

• CO1: Demonstrate knowledge of qualitative research methods and their applications in psychology.
• CO2: Design and conduct qualitative research studies using appropriate techniques.
• CO3: Analyse qualitative data and draw meaningful conclusions using relevant analysis methods.
• CO4: Critically assess the quality and validity of qualitative research studies.
• CO5: Address ethical issues in conducting qualitative research with human participants

CO PO Mapping