UMass Boston

Course Overview

Description

This class is designed to expose participants to the purpose, scope and procedures of qualitative research, applied in difference disciplines but especially in geography and urban planning/studies. It provides an opportunity for students to create qualitative research design schemes, and critically analyze research using these methods. Initially, the seminar will focus on the philosophy of science, the construction of knowledge, the place of qualitative methods in the academy (and the people who use them), and positivistic/non-positivistic models. Next, with this epistemological base students will explore specific techniques/processes in qualitative research including: focus groups, ethnography (both participant and non-participant observation), feminist ethnography, both guided and open ended interviews, case studies, action research, visceral methods, discourse analysis, photo voice, body mapping and autobiographical essays. Students will critically examine the epistemological assumptions, the comparative strengths and weaknesses, and the appropriate domains of qualitative case study methods and alternative approaches.