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What is Qualitative Research?

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What is Qualitative Research?

This course is part of Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology Specialization

Instructor: Mike Stadler, PhD

3,962 already enrolled

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

54 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

54 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Understand and describe the iterative, naturalistic, and contextual facets of qualitative research.
Examine and comprehend the philosophical underpinnings and interpretive frameworks informing qualitative research.
Learn to evaluate qualitative studies by their associated rigor criteria, differing from those used to evaluate quantitative studies.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

21 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 6 modules in this course

This is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, and qualitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.

This introduction to qualitative research in psychology provides an in-depth exploration of individuals' lived experiences through methods like interviews and observations. It delves into the historical, philosophical, and cross-disciplinary foundations of qualitative research, illustrating these foundations with a variety of examples, activities, and self-assessments. The course aims to foster an understanding of how qualitative inquiry adds depth and nuance to our comprehension of individual and collective human experiences. It addresses the common critiques of qualitative research and introduces the four trustworthiness criteria that researchers use in evaluating the soundness of a given qualitative study. The course also emphasizes the role of the researcher and the close relationships between the inquirer and participants in qualitative studies.

Module details

This module introduces you to your PsycLearn Essentials course. Find out what’s included in this course and how to navigate the modules and lessons. You’ll also learn valuable study tips for successful learning.

What's included

7 readings

What's included

1 reading

What's included

2 videos12 readings11 assignments

2 videosTotal 9 minutes

The Nature of Qualitative Research5 minutes
Philosophical Foundations: Ontology, Epistemology, and Axiology4 minutes

12 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Qualitative Research in the World2 minutes
The Nature of Qualitative Research5 minutes
Qualitative Research in the World2 minutes
Philosophical Underpinnings3 minutes
Exploring Philosophical Foundations3 minutes
Before Exploring Interpretive Frameworks2 minutes
Exploring Philosophical Foundations6 minutes
Further Exploration of Philosophical Foundations6 minutes
Qualitative Research in the World3 minutes
Saplings in the Hurricane6 minutes
The LGBTQ Closet6 minutes
Living With Very High Empathy6 minutes

11 assignmentsTotal 54 minutes

Check Your Understanding: The Nature of Qualitative Research5 minutes
Check Your Understanding: An Example of Qualitative Research5 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Foundations of Qualitative Research3 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Philosophical Underpinnings of Qualitative Research3 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Interpretive Frameworks Self-Assessment3 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Interpretive Frameworks5 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Reviewing Philosophical Assumptions and Interpretive Frameworks5 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Saplings in the Hurricane5 minutes
Check Your Understanding: The LGBTQ Closet5 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Living With Very High Empathy5 minutes
Module Quiz: Introduction to Qualitative Research10 minutes

In the world of qualitative research, notions like validity and reliability often take on new forms. Researchers must not project one set of traditional meanings onto another, in that you cannot analyze qualitative research by quantitative standards. So what do we mean by qualitative standards of rigor? It is about making certain that the qualitative process and outcomes emulate participants’ lived experiences.

What's included

1 video6 readings9 assignments

1 videoTotal 4 minutes

Digging Deeper: Researcher Positioning4 minutes

6 readingsTotal 38 minutes

Four Perspectives7 minutes
A Case Study in Trustworthiness6 minutes
Seven Approaches to Trustworthiness10 minutes
Trustworthiness Perspectives and Strategies5 minutes
Our Limited View of the World2 minutes
Our Limited View of the World, continued8 minutes

9 assignmentsTotal 50 minutes

Check Your Understanding: Four Perspectives4 minutes
Check Your Understanding: A Case Study in Trustworthiness5 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Strategies to Promote Trustworthiness5 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Applying Strategies to Promote Trustworthiness3 minutes
Practice One8 minutes
Practice Two5 minutes
Practice Three5 minutes
Practice Four5 minutes
Module Quiz: Standards of Rigor in Qualitative Research10 minutes

Complete the final course assessment.

What's included

1 reading1 assignment

This module provides a variety of information and tools from the American Psychological Association (APA) that will help inspire you as you complete your coursework and plan your career goals. Explore APA resources on various psychological issues and scholarly research and writing; a list of sites providing valuable resources on diversity, equity, and inclusion in psychology education and in the professional community; resources on a career in psychology; and links to career opportunities at the APA.