week

reading/discussion topic*

assignment**

1/27

Introduction and Overview

What is Qualitative Research?

Bring 5 postcards from NM to class next week; do puzzle task; write journal entry; begin log

2/3

Data management systems; Introduction to inductive analysis (Chapter 1, Berg)

[1-2 Letendre]

Write-up classmate interview; practice interview skills; think about possible field sites

2/10

Inductive analysis

Designing Qualitative Research (2,3)

[3-4 Letendre]

Begin search for exemplar; set up data management system; Observe public setting

2/17

Ethical issues (3); Perspectives on interviewing (4) [5 Letendre]

Bring public setting notes to class; Do sensory inventory (SI)

2/24

Interviewing techniques (4) [6 Letendre]

Begin “place” description assignment; Select & review qual. research methods text

3/3

Field Research, Participant Observation, Ethnography (6) [7-8 Letendre]

Bring SI from public setting observation; Code field notes

3/10

Field research (continued)

Event analysis (6)

[9, conclusion Letendre]

Begin interview I exercise

3/17

No Class – Mid-semester Break

Event analysis assignment

3/24

Content Analysis (11)

{1-2 Holliday}

Code interview I notes

3/31

Focus groups; Action research (5,7)

{3-4 Holliday}

Begin interview II exercise

4/7

Unobtrusive measures, Archival research (8) Oral History (9)

Material culture assignment

Code interview II transcript

4/14

Case studies (10)

Evaluating Qualitative Research

{Holliday 5-6}

Data analysis, writing, portfolio preparation

4/21

TBA (AERA week)

Data analysis, writing, portfolio preparation

4/28

Writing-up Qualitative Research (12)

{Holliday 7-8}

Data analysis, writing

Portfolio invited

5/5

Evaluating Qualitative Research

Portfolio due