In social research, as in everyday life, we can find out a lot by talking to people. In this module we will consider the various different ways in which social scientists talk to people and explore the kinds of research questions for which these methods are suitable. The module will consider all aspects of typical research project and covers topics including: the pros and cons of different types of interviews; practical issues such as sampling, recruitment, and recording; how to handle confidentiality, anonymity and other ethical issues; approaches to transcription; and how to analyse and write up data. By the end of the module, students will be well-placed to design and carry out a qualitative research project using interviews and/or focus group methods. 

• Describe a range of different interview and focus group techniques and their associated strengths and weaknesses. (LO1) 

• Critically evaluate the epistemological commitments associated with qualitative research and their implications for research fieldwork and practice. (LO2) 

• Evaluate the use interview or focus group methods to collect qualitative data. (LO3) 

• Code, analyse and write up qualitative data collected using focus groups and/or interview methods. (LO4) 

The module will be taught via a mixture of lectures, workshops and small group tasks supported by online resources and readings. Lectures will be used to explore general principles, debates and case studies, while seminars will focus on readings that exemplify particular aspects of qualitative research that uses interviews and/or focus groups. Lectures and seminars will include the opportunity for discussion and small group work that will support the assessment tasks. 

As the module progresses students will have the opportunity to collect data using interview and/or focus group methods and try out different approaches to data analysis. The overarching aim is to show how the ethical and methodological concerns that inform our ideas about how research should be done are experienced and solved in the day-to-day practice of doing social research. 

Further information about module will be provided on Learning Central and will include a module handbook, a discussion board and a reading list that prioritises material that is available electronically. There will also be regular ‘office hours’ during which module convenors will be available. Where appropriate the module will use a ‘flipped classroom’ model, with lectures being pre-recorded and the scheduled class time being used for assessment-related activities carried out in small groups. 

Academic Skills 

• Organise and categorise knowledge in a systematic and logical way. (LO1) 

• Critically engage with academic debates about the connection between theory and practice. (LO3, LO4) 

• Analyse empirical data in a robust way and present the results in an appropriate and professional manner. (LO4) 

Module Specific Skills 

• Critical appreciation of different approaches to collecting data using interviews and focus groups.([LO1, LO2) 

• Appreciation of practical issues associated with the use of interviews and/or focus group methods to collect qualitative data. (LO2, LO3) 

• Application of different approaches to the analysis and reporting of data collected using interviews and/or focus group methods. (LO2, LO4) 

Employability/Transferable Skills

• Knowledge of techniques needed organise, lead and participate in face-to-face interviews and group discussions. (LO3) 

• Analyse and present qualitative data in oral and written formats. (LO3, LO4) 

Coursework (20%) Written task about nature and principles of focus groups and interviews. (LO1 and LO2) 600 words - Week 4

Formative - Research ethics pro-forma to include foreshadowed problem, smapling strategy, and methods of data collection to be used for research report.- Pro forma provided - Weeks
6-8

Research Report (80%) Research report that uses interview or focus group data. (LO3, LO4) 2400 words - Week 12

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. 

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session. 

Overview 

The module is divided into three main blocks of teaching. The first introduces the different approaches to interview and focus group research and explains their rationale. The second examines the practical issues that arise when using focus group and interview methods. The third explores the different ways in which the data generated by these methods can be analysed. Each section is described in more detail below. 

Approaches to focus group and interview research 

The opening section of the module examines the different approaches that might be taken to interview and focus group research and the status of the data they create. Topics covered include how and why qualitative data might generalise beyond the context of its production as well as introducing some of the more common interview and focus group formats. 

Practical issues in focus group and interview research 

This section of the module will highlight the dilemmas and choices that arise when working with focus groups and interviews and the strategies that can be used to address them. Topics covered include access, sampling and recruitment; ethical issues such as confidentiality, anonymity and informed consent; researching sensitive topics; how to prompt or promote discussion; and so on.  

Dealing with data 

The final block of teaching examines what happens after the interview or focus group is over. It will cover different approaches to transcription as well as the different strategies for analysing data such thematic analysis and framework analysis. The section will end by considering how qualitative data can be written up in research reports.