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Using Qualitative Methods to Study the Stories of People's Lives

Course #: PSYCH 474

Description:
This elective advanced course is designed to introduce students to approaches to inquiry that commonly are referred to as 'qualitative research.' While psychology historically has focused on experimental and quasiexperimental approaches to learning, increasingly psychologists are viewing these as only one approach to learning and embracing a wider variety approaches to building knowledge about people's lives and the societies within which they live. The course is designed to introduce students to some of these alternate ways of conducting research that are based on analyzing interviews and text. These methods are especially helpful in studying human experiences and actions (e.g., emotion, dialogue, psychotherapy), and in studying experiences of minorities and marginalized people. The course culminates in students' development of their own research proposals. The following are the course objectives: (1) To understand some of the historical and philosophical foundations for qualitative methods; (2) to become acquainted with a range of qualitative methods that are used in psychology; (3) to learn how to collect and analyze data; (4) to learn how to write a research proposal using APA format and understand how results are presented; and (5) to learn to evaluate qualitative research studies. They help to develop the skills of how to ask questions and seek out information that will guide you - skills that can transfer into many settings. Students have used their proposals as the basis for an honors thesis, as a proposal for research in their workplace, to apply for grants, and as writing samples for graduate studies. It is especially helpful for students who wish to complete a thesis or apply to graduate programs in the social sciences. These skills build from one class to the next so students need to commit to attending this class regularly.

Pre Requisites: Pre-requisite: PSYCH 100 or 101 and PSYCH 201 and PSYCH 210 or 215 or 230 and Minimum of 60 credit hours

Offered in:

2023 Fall