Course description: Theory and application of qualitative research methods to social science and communications research. Theoretical considerations underlying symbolic interactionism as translated into research strategies of participant observation, life history, interviewing, archival analysis, and case studies.

As a graduate seminar this course is organized around a lecture/discussion format. It requires your regular informed participation, and your careful, critical reading of all material assigned for each week. In addition to your reading and participation in class discussion, there are four written assignments for the course. The topics and due dates are indicated on the seminar outline, and papers are due in class on the dates noted.

In general, papers are to be analytical and probing. The task is to examine the material in depth and to demonstrate your own independent thinking about the subject matter. To prepare each paper, it is necessary to have read, carefully and critically, all the material assigned not only for that week but for all previous weeks as well. We will spend some class time discussing your papers.

Assigned readings are on electronic reserve in Hodges Library.

For each week, the most relevant material from various sources has been assigned. I encourage you to read other sections of these sources as your time permits.

Blumer, Herbert. Symbolic Interactionism.
Carey, James T. Sociology and Public Affairs.
Dilthey, Wilhelm. Pattern and Meaning in History.
Glaser, Barney G. and Strauss, Anselm L. The Discovery of Grounded Theory.
Lofland, John. Doing Social Life.
McCracken, Grant. The Long Interview.
Mills, C. Wright. The Sociological Imagination
Strauss, Anselm. Qualitative analysis for Social Scientists.

McCracken, Grant. The Long Interview.
Strauss and Corbin, Basics of Qualitative Research.

Assignment 1

Select three journals in your field. Define your field in any way you choose. Examine the three journals for the past five years for qualitative research articles. Write a four-page report on the status of qualitative research in your field. Consider the topics addressed, authors, methods used, trends, explanations of qualitative approaches, whatever appears interesting and relevant. Make page 5 of your report a bibliography of articles located. Minimum number of articles is eight. If you find fewer than eight, search wider (more journals) or deeper (more years). Date due: June 12

Assignment 2

Identify two or three core assumptions related to qualitative research. Describe each as precisely as you can and evaluate its validity. Focus more on evaluation than on description. Include in your discussion as many references or illustrations from readings and class sessions as you find relevant. Suggested length: 7 to 10 typewritten pages. Date due: June 26

Assignment 3

Write a five-page essay evaluating one of the qualitative research methods. Explore the strengths and weaknesses of the method and suggest areas in which the method is appropriate. Date due: July 10

Assignment 4

Do sufficient reading, fieldwork, or interviewing to write a ten-page or more qualitative-based research proposal. Your proposal should address the purpose/goal of the research, research questions, data gathering and analysis, and time frame. Date due: Monday, August 5 at Noon (field notes are due July 17).

NO LATES OR EXTENSIONS ON ANY OF THE FOUR ASSIGNMENTS, PLEASE. LATE PAPERS WILL INCUR SEVERE PENALTIES!

June 5 AN OVERVIEW OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

June 12 THEORETICAL AND PHILOSOPOHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Readings: Read two, scan two, of the following four:
Denzin, Norman K. and Yvonna S. Lincoln, "The Discipline and Practice of Qualitative Research," Chapter 1 in Denzin and      Lincoln, eds., (2000) Handbook of Qualitative Research .
Taylor, "Qualitative Research." Ch. 14 in Singletary (1994), Mass Communication Research
"A Qualitative View of the World," Chapter 2 in Morrison et al. (2002), Using Qualitative Research in Advertising
Pauly, John J. (1991), A Beginner's Guide to Doing Qualitative Research in Mass Communication
Read each of these:
Blumer, Symbolic Interactionism, pp. 1-77
Glaser and Strauss, The Discovery of Grounded Theory, pp. 1-43.
Mills, The Sociological Imagination, pp. 1-75.

Assignment 1 due

June 19 BASIC CONCEPTS IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Readings:
Glaser and Strauss, The Discovery of Grounded Theory, pp. 251-257.
Carey, Sociology and Public Affairs, pp. 151-190.
Dilthey. Pattern and Meaning in History, pp. 95-132.
Schwandt, Thomas, "Three Epistemological Stances for Qualitative Inquiry," Chapter 7 in Handbook

Some Examples of Qualitative Research

Broadhead, "Directing Intervention from Afar"
Triese, Taylor, and Wells, "How Recovering Alcoholics Interpret Alcoholic-Beverage Advertising"
Taylor, Hoy, and Haley, "How French Advertising Professionals Develop Creative Strategy"
Taylor, "Inside the BVP: A Qualitative Study of French Advertising Self-Regulation"

June 26 QUALITATIVE METHODS: PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION AND INTERVIEWING

Readings:
Lofland, Doing Social Life, pp. 1-61.
McCracken, The Long Interview.
"Listening to Consumers," Chapter 4 in Morrison et al, Using Qualitative Research in Advertising
Vidich, Arthur J. and Standord Lyman, "Qualitative Methods, Their History in Sociology and Anthropology," Chapter 2 in      Handbook

INTERIM MEETING
QUALITATIVE METHODS: PERSONAL DOCUMENTS, LIFE HISTORY

Readings:
Tierney, William G., "Life History and the Postmodern Challenge," Chapter 20 in Handbook
Glaser and Strauss, Grounded Theory, pp. 161-183.
Hodder, Ian, "The Interpretation of Documents and Material Culture," Chapter 26 in Handbook

July 10 CONSTRUCTING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Readings:
Strauss and Corbin, pp. 1-74
Taylor & Haley, "Implementing a Vision"

Assignment 3 due

July 17 ANALYSIS OF QUALITATIVE DATA

Readings:
Strauss and Corbin, pp. 75-258
Ryan, Gery and Russell Bernard, "Data Management and Analysis Methods," Chapter 29 in Handbook

Field notes for Assignment 4 due

July 24 EVALUATION OF QUALITATIVE STUDIES

Readings:
Christians and Carey, "The Logic and Aims of Qualitative Research"
Fortner and Christians, "Separating Wheat from Chaff in Qualitative Studies"

July 31 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: AN EVALUATION

Three-minute research proposal presentations

Monday, August 5 NOON: Assignment 4 due in Com 476