Qualitative Data Analysis in IR: Methodologies and Techniques - Einzelansicht

The seminar takes place twice a week, but only runs until 23 May 2024.

The dates are as follows:

08.04.2024, 16:00 to 18:00h, 3.06.S25

11.04.2024, 10:00 to 12:00h, 3.06.S25

15.04.2024, 16:00 to 18:00h, 3.06.S25

18.04.2024, 10:00 to 12:00h, 3.06.S25

22.04.2024, 16:00 to 18:00h, 3.06.S25

25.04.2024, 10:00 to 12:00h, 3.06.S25

29.04.2024, 16:00 to 18:00h, 3.06.S25

02.05.2024, 10:00 to 12:00h, 3.06.S25

06.05.2024 - NO SESSION!

08.05.2024, 12:00 to 14:00h, 3.06.S21

13.05.2024, 16:00 to 18:00h, 3.06.S25

16.05.2024, 10:00 to 12:00h, ONLINE!

21.05.2024, 16:00 to 18:00h, 3.06.S17

23.05.2024, 10:00 to 12:00h, 3.06.S25

Completion and grading

The course (6 ECTS) is completed by:

1. participating actively in the classes (both discussion and exercises)
2. reading mandatory literature
3. writing a short text as part of the course exercises (max. 300-500 words)
4. completing a group work and an individual assignment based on the short texts
5. completing a final essay, which is a reflection of the students’ on-going research projects in relation to the course contents

The grading consist of:

1. Completing the group exercise (30%)
2. Completing the individual assignment, 7-8 pages (30%)
3. Completing the final essay, 10-12 pages (40%)

Objectives

This course primarily deals with the application of methodologies for qualitative data analysis in political science more broadly, and international relations more specifically. Upon course completion, the students will have familiarized themselves with the theoretical background and practical application of qualitative data analysis, with an emphasis on interpretive methods (Qualitative Content Analysis/Thematic Analysis, Discourse Analysis, Post-structuralist Discourse Analysis). At the end of the course, participants will have understood the implications of applying different methods and will have achieved a more sophisticated and critical attitude towards data, the research process and research reports.

Course content

The course consists of two parts.

The first part consists of 11 classes which introduce the students to different qualitative methods and their applications to help them choose the appropriate research methodology and methods for their own research projects. The course starts with an emphasis on traditional qualitative content (thematic) analysis and continues to explore interpretive approaches in detail, primarily different kinds of discourse analysis. In this manner, students are shown how different methods reveal different aspects of the data. Limits and advantages of different approaches will be explored, and various techniques for data gathering will be addressed as well. The classes consist of lectures, discussions and practical exercises, based on data such as policy papers, government documents, newspapers etc.

The second part of the course consists of two consultation sessions (methodology clinics), in which students can come individually or in groups, and discuss issues related to methodology, methods, data collection etc. in their own research projects, such as seminar essays or master’s theses.