Qualitative Research Methods
PSCI 4028 Special Topics: Qualitative Research Methods
MWF 10:00-10:50 HLMS 241
Instructor: Svet Derderyan
This course introduces students to conceptualizing and applying qualitative research in the social sciences. The objective is to enable students to create and critique qualitative research designs including comparative case studies, process tracing, interviews, and archival research. Understanding the concepts and techniques behind methodology requires Doing Research. That is why this class will ask students routinely to perform in- or out-of-class exercises to develop their skills in identifying research puzzles, analyzing concepts, developing variables, and writing literature reviews. These skills will be useful and appropriate to not only PSCI majors, but all students aspiring to pursue careers that require doing rigorous research (such as journalism, advocacy and marketing, public service, education, law).
