PM11: Qualitative Data Analysis for Product Realisation Research #03

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course the course participant should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe different types of qualitative data analysis and its origin, application, as well as its advantages and disadvantages
• explain the requirements imposed on empirical data and its consequences for the possibility of analysis

Competence and skills

• apply different types of inductive and theoretical analysis to an empirical material
• present the outcomes of qualitative data analysis in writing, adapted to scientific journals

Judgement and approach

• critically discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a conducted empirical analysis
• evaluate the relevance of different types of analytical methods related to different types of research questions

Course content 

In this course the participants get familiarized with, and learn how to use, a range of techniques and methods for qualitative data analysis, for example:

• inductive analysis,
• deductive analysis,
• content analysis,
• thematic analysis,
• grounded theory,
• phenomenology,
• ethnographic analysis,
• and narrative analysis.

Course organisation

The course is divided into 6 course sessions, including the course introduction. The course will be held online or at campus, depending on the national recommendations related to the pandemic.

Examination

GRU1: Individual examination, written and oral, with focus on key concepts, methods and approaches in qualitative analysis (examination of the course literature).

SEM1: Group examination, oral, planning and completion of a seminar with focus on selected technique for qualitative data analysis. (Assignment 1)

INL1: Individual examination, written and oral, analysis of empirical data and reflection on the result, including presentation of results from analysis of qualitative data. (Assignment 2).

Literature

Course book:

Miles, M., Huberman, M. & Saldana J. (2020). Qualitative Data Analysis. A Methods Sourcebook, Thousands Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc.

Recommended reading:

Säfsten, K. & Gustavsson, M. (2020). Research methodology for engineers and other problem-solvers. Studentlitteratur, Lund.

Additional reading will be added.