GG3207 Qualitative Methods for Human Geographers

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

10

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Semester 1: 12pm-2pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr A Boussalem

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Charlotte Lee

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will focus on the design and conduct of qualitative research. It will explore the epistemological foundations on which different strands of qualitative research rest, introduce you to a range of techniques for collecting qualitative data, and help you consider methodological questions related to the conduct of qualitative research. The unit will encourage critical thinking about what constitutes the field and data, as well as about issues of ethics, positionality, voice, representation, and the hermeneutic location of records and data.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS SD2100

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2hr lecture (x 7 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

70

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Provide students with a critical appreciation of the epistemological and theoretical foundations of qualitative research design, methodology, techniques and ethics
  • Students will gain an understanding of the type of questions appropriate to qualitative investigation and of how to select methods, and collect data capable of addressing them
  • Students will learn a range of qualitative techniques & approaches
  • Students will have an opportunity to gain field experience and a practical and embodied understanding of the use of qualitative methods
  • Students will leave this module able to conceive and execute qualitative research projects that are innovative, highly independent, structured around informed theoretical positions/methodological procedures, critically engaged with the appropriate literature