Qualitative Analysis

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The main objective is to nurture a basic understanding of the data production process in qualitative research. The knowledge acquired in this course is relevant for a Master's degree in geography or for data production in concrete fields or settings. The literature and learning experiences from this course are relevant for fieldwork in own and other cultures.

The aim of this course is to learn good research practice in geography with a focus on theory that supports qualitative research. Central themes are research design, subjectivity and objectivity, critical reflexivity, research ethics, in addition to qualitative methods and techniques used in field research. Through this course you will learn how to develop a qualitative research design, hypotheses and research questions, and the application of field techniques with focus on interview methods, textual and document analysis, participation and observations (field methods).

Learning Outcomes

A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

  • knowledge about qualitative method and research design
  • knowledge about different qualitative research methods, and strengths and weaknesses of the different methods

Skills

The student can

  • discuss the content of a qualitative research project, through acquiring knowledge of qualitative methods and techniques.
  • independently assess methodological approach through preparation of an independent research project.
  • apply qualitative methods, such as interview, questionnaires, focus group and observation.
  • understand and experience the continuous process of a research project - through planning, collecting qualitative data, analysis and completion of text.

General knowledge

The student can

  • use and assess qualitative methods

Level of Study

Bachelor

Semester of Instruction

Spring
Required Previous Knowledge
None
Recommended Previous Knowledge
GEO121/GEO125, GEO131, GEO151/GEO124 or equivalent
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
GEO307 - 5 ECTS
Access to the Course
The course is open for students at UiB
Teaching and learning methods

1-2 lectures per week + seminar.

Total 5-6 lectures and 1 seminar.

The course is taught in January and February. Exam in February/March

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
None
Forms of Assessment
  • Paper based on practical assignment, 40%
  • Written exam, 4 hours, 60%
  • All parts of assessment must be passed in the same semester. Grades for each part of assessment and the final grade will be published in Studentweb.

    The exam will be given in the language in which the course is taught.
    The exam can be submitted in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish

    Grading Scale
    Grading A-F
    Assessment Semester

    Assessment in teaching semester.

    Regarding retake exam

    Exam part 1 ¿ Paper based on practical assignment:

    Students with valid absence as defined in the UiB study regulations § 5-5 can apply for an extended submission deadline to studieveileder.geog@uib.no. The application must be submitted before the deadline for submission has expired.

    Exam part 2 - Written exam 4 hours:

    A retake exam is arranged for students with valid absence according to § 5-5 .

    If there is a retake exam for students with valid absence, all students with valid compulsory activity can sign up for the retake exam. If you have the right to take a retake exam and a retake exam is arranged for students with valid absences, you can sign up yourself in Studentweb after August 1.

    Course Evaluation
    All courses are evaluated according to UiB's system for quality assurance of education.