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2016/2017  KAN-CCBLV1604U  Collecting, Coding and Analysing Qualitative Data

English Title
Collecting, Coding and Analysing Qualitative Data

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Min. participants 40
Max. participants 60
Study board
Study Board for BSc og MSc in Business, Language and Culture, MSc
Course coordinator
  • Magali Gravier - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
  • Mette Zølner - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
Main academic disciplines
  • Methodology and philosophy of science
Last updated on 15-02-2016
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors: To be awarded the highest mark (12), the student, with no or just a few insignificant shortcomings, must fulfil the following learning objectives:
  • • The student should be able to account for selected qualitative methods (i.e. interviews, participant observations and documents) in relation to a specific research question.
  • • The student should demonstrate skills in collecting, analysing and presenting qualitative empirical material in relation to a specific research question.
  • • The student should be able to critically reflect upon the consequences of applying selected qualitative methods and to comment on their strengths and weaknesses in relation to the analysis of a specific research question.
  • • The student should be able to situate the selected qualitative methods within an appropriate methodological argumentation in relation to a specific research question and the applied theories.
Prerequisites for registering for the exam
Number of mandatory activities: 1
Compulsory assignments (assessed approved/not approved)
The first assignment (5 pages) is to be handed in during the class and is group based. The evaluation is fail/pass.
Examination
Collecting, Coding and Analysing Qualitative Data:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Cover page and list of reference does not count in the page/STU count. The project must be accompanied by an appendix containing the "raw data" collected and analyzed.
Assignment type Project
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter and Winter, The project is turned in 2 weeks after the end of the course.
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Make-up and re-exam are the same as the ordinary exam. A new project must be submitted.
Description of the exam procedure

The project must make use of 2 out of the three methods of collection of data presented in class (interviews and/or observation and/or document analysis). Depending on the methods of collection of data chosen, a minimum of

  • 2 interviews of 15mn/20mn and/or
  • 3 hours of observation and/or
  • 5 pages / 5 internet web pages

are requested for the project. The two methods are freely chosen by the student.

For the two methods chosen, students must collect data, code it, analyse it and critically reflect on the methodological process as well as the results to which they lead.

Course content and structure

The course offers methodological tools for students wishing to use qualitative methods for their master thesis.

Methods need to be reflected upon but they also need to be put in practice. The course will therefore offer a mix of theoretical teaching as well as practice oriented teaching with exercises in the three components of the course: exercises in collection of data, in coding and in analysis.

Three main methods of collection of data will be taught in theory and practice: interviews, observation and document analysis. The course will then move on to coding techniques and then to analysing the data collected and coded.

Course structure for 30h of teaching

 

intro: 2h

Course, exam, methodology

interviews: 6h (3 x 2h)

  • Different interviews; semi-structured interviews, focus interviews: 2h
  • Preparing interview questions or grids: selecting and contacting population: 2h
  • Exercise in interviewing: 2h

observation: 6h (3 x 2h)

  • Presentation of participant and non-participant observation. (2h)
  • Preparation of observation exercise (2h)
  • [Homework: in situ observation exercise (outside of class: 3h hours of continuous observation alone or by pairs of students)]
  • Feedback on observation (2h)

document analysis: 4h (2 x 2h)

  • Presentation of document analysis: 2h
  • Exercise of document analysis: 2h

Coding: 6h (1x 2h; 1x 3h)

Coding: why and how? 2h

Exercise: 2 x 2h

Analysis: 4h (2x 2h)

Explanation of analysis: 2h

Exercise: 2h

wrap up 2h (1x2h)

 

Teaching methods
Teacher presentation, exercises in class and “in situ”.
Student workload
Read suggested literature (800 pages, 4mn per page) 53 hours
collect interviews (incl. finding interviewee, setting interview, etc) 4 hours
participant observation 4 hours
collect 5 pages (A4 pages or internet pages) 3 hours
Coding 10 hours
Analysis 30 hours
Writting the project 70 hours
Lectures 30 hours
Expected literature
  • Bernard, H.R. (2011), Research Methods in Anthropology, 5th, Edition, Alta Mira Press.
  • Gioia, Dennis A., Corley, Kevin G., and Hamilton, Aimee L. (2012). ‘Seeking Qualitative Rigor in Inductive Research: Notes on the Gioia Methodology’, Organizational Research Methods, 16(1) 15-31.
  • Gioia, Dennis A., Price, Kristin N., Hamilton, Aimee L., Thomas, James B., 2010. ‘Forging an Identity: An Insider-outsider Study of Processes Involved in the Formation of Organizational Identity’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 55 (2010): 1–46.
  • Gubrium, Jaber F.; Holstein, James A.; Marvasti, Amir B.; McKinney, Karyn D. 2012. The SAGE Handbook of Interview Research: The Complexity of the Craft, Second Edition.
  • Kvale Steinar and Brinkmann, Svend (2009), Interviews, Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing, Sage, 2nd edition.
  • Marshan-Piekkari, R. and  Welch, C. Eds. (2004), Handbook of qualitative research. Methods for international business. London: Edward Elgar.
  • Saldaña Johnny, 2013. The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers, Sage, 2nd ed.
  • Saunders, Mark; Lewis, Philip and Thornhill, Adrian. 2012. Research methods for business students. Harlow: Pearson. 6th ed.
  • Welch, C. Piekkari, R., Plakoyiannaki, E. Paavilainen-Mäntymäki, E. (2011) Theorising from case studies: Towards a pluralist future for international business research, Journal of International BusinessStudies, 42: 740-762.
Last updated on 15-02-2016