Socio-Cultural Research Training Workshop on Qualitative Research Methods - 2004, Lahar

Learning Objectives

After completing this workshop, participants should be able to:

• explain what is meant by qualitative research
• describe some general characteristics that qualitative studies have in common
• approach the empirical world from a qualitative paradigmatic view
• be able to read qualitative studies and critically evaluate these studies
• name a number of different types of qualitative methods used in their field
• explain what is meant by observation in the qualitative framework
• be prepared to produce a set of descriptive data
• distinguish participant observation from other kinds of qualitative research and explain the common applications and situations where it is used.
• distinguish interview techniques from other kinds of qualitative research and explain the common applications and situations where it is used.
• distinguish focus groups from other kinds of qualitative research and explain the common applications and situations where it is used.
• distinguish action research from other kinds of qualitative research and explain the common applications and situations where it is used.
• feel comfortable developing concepts, insights and understandings from  the patterns seen in a qualitative data set
• understand the stages involved in qualitative data analysis
• be able to discuss different models within which qualitative data can be analyzed
• be able to select an appropriate data analytic technique for a specific data set
• understand the principles on which ethical decisions are based in research
• demonstrate sensitivity to the effects that research may have on the people or phenomena being studied
• be able to apply ethical guidelines to their research plans
• complete a group proposal for a qualitative study on a topic provided by the workshop facilitator
• complete an individual project proposal for a qualitative study in their field

Additionally, it is hoped that workshop participants will have:

• gathered new resources for proposing and engaging in research
• identified new collegial collaborators and contacts with similar research interests and/or with expertise that can be useful in future research endeavors
• become motivated to continue to learn more and be confident in knowing how to identify the resources to do so
• become motivated to pass along their research experiences and expertise to students and other researchers in the future!