QUALITATIVE FIELD METHODS - 2025/6

Module Overview

Qualitative research approaches remain one of the fundamental ways for researchers to access the insights, understandings, and experiences of social groups, as well as to explore their social interactions.
This highly practical module provides students with a systematic methodological basis for conducting various forms of qualitative analysis and the opportunity to gain practical experience. The main techniques covered are observation and interviewing, although the module also explores documentary and visual approaches. Observational fieldnotes, interview transcripts, and visual images are collected, analyzed and reported throughout the course of the module. In addition to learning core qualitative research skills the students gain experience of developing a small scale research project and present their findings in a professional way. These skills will equip students to undertake their dissertation research and research projects in their future career.

Module provider

Sociology

Module Leader

ROBERTS Tom (Sociology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

The topics to be explored include the following:

• Principles and philosophy of qualitative research methods


• Methodological Issues and debates in qualitative social research


• Qualitative Research Design


• Ethics and qualitative research


• Observational Techniques


• Observational Analysis


• Interviewing Techniques


• Interviewing Analysis


• Introduction to Computer-assisted management of data

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge-based, analytic and professional skills through the design and conduct of a practical fieldwork exercises utilizing both qualitative interviews and observation.

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of a 3500-word mini research project providing the students with the opportunity to gain practical experience designing, carrying out, analyzing, and writing up qualitative research. It will also enable them to explore how they can use qualitative research to develop their own research interests.   The project will utilize both interviewing and observation and require the students to consider the ethics and practicalities associated with these methodologies. The project will cumulatively address all the learning outcomes.

 

Formative assessment 

An opportunity for formative assessment will be provided with the students submitting a short piece of analysis and reflection on the data they have collected during the two-day workshop.

 

Ongoing feedback will be offered in the context of class discussion and practical sessions, highlighting for students where they might extend their reflection or develop their skills further. Written feedback will be offered on the formative submission, identifying for students where they might deepen reflection or include further detail in their evaluation of the skills and knowledge they are acquiring. Written feedback will be offered on the summative submission, identifying for students where their reflections have been successful and where they might be further extended, and identifying areas to apply the feedback in future work.

Module aims

• Discuss the philosophy and overall conduct of qualitative social science research
• Communicate the theory underpinning observational data collection and analysis
• Develop skills in the collection and analysis of observational data
• Communicate the theory underpinning interview data collection and analysis
• Develop skills in the collection and analysis of interview data
• Cultivate reflexivity in approaches to qualitative research
• Discuss methodological issues in bias, reliability, validity and ethics in qualitative social science research
• Review the role of computer-assisted qualitative data analysis

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

The Learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Provide students with both a theoretical and practical introduction to the use of qualitative social science research


• Allow students to gain experience of undertaking qualitative research individually and collectively


• Encourage students to explore how they can develop their own research interests utilizing qualitative methods

The learning and teaching approach is centered around a two-day practical workshop to be held in Guildford during reading week. Day 1 will focus on demonstrations and class discussions about the utilization of observation and interviewing approaches to qualitative data collection.  The students will also have the opportunity to try out different approaches and techniques. Day 2 will focus on giving the students the opportunity to gain practical experience collecting their own data with guidance from the module leader. The workshop will be preceded by two two-hour sessions comprising lecture content and seminar discussion providing them with the theoretical knowledge needed to make the most out of the workshop. The workshop will be followed by a further two two-hour sessions comprising lecture content and seminar discussion to support the students in the analysis and writing up of the data collected during the workshop.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: SOCM083

Other information

The Department of Sociology is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module enhances students skills in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, and Resourcefulness and Resilience.

 

Digital capabilities Use of appropriate software and access to digital resources are essential for the contemporary social researcher. This module supports students in utilizing appropriate digital resources to enhance and develop qualitative methods.

 

Employability The module aims to develop qualitative research skills which are central to the employment of social researchers and provide highly transferable analytic skills applicable to a wide range of careers.

 

Global and cultural capabilities Through the provision of listening and observational skills, this module enables students to develop an understanding of the complexities and challenges which underpin all social relations. It provides them with the skills to identify differences between people and communities and develop strategies which enable individuals and communities to collaborate for the common good.

 

Resourcefulness and resilience. The interpretive nature of qualitative research teaches students to work flexibly and adjust their assumptions, approaches and plans based on the fast paced changing environments they can find themselves working in

 

Sustainability qualitative research gives students the skills to unpick and understand the highly complex social relations which underpin all of the current challenges associated with rapid environmental change.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.