Qualitative Method (doctoral course, 7.5 ECTS)

This course builds on the proposition that qualitative methods stand as a distinct and equally valid approach in social science, neither inferior to nor less legitimate than any other research method.

Course start: September 11, 2025

Syllabus Qualitative Method 2025 pdf, 145.9 kB. (145 Kb)

Study guide pdf, 199.3 kB. (199 Kb)

Course content

The course will engage with three more or less conventional qualitative methods; observation, interviews and document studies. These three methods are, however, further divided into analogue/digital, and stationary and mobile, possibly opening up for more uncharted territories:

• Observation: observe people digitally (e.g. digital footprints and on-line ‘live events’) as well as analogue (physical), stationary (one place) and mobile (e.g. shadowing).
• Interviews: digital (e.g. zoom, teams) and analogue (physical) and stationary (fixed place) and mobile (for example walking and talking interviews)
• Document studies: digital resources as well as more traditional analogue resources (e.g. paper documents, graffiti), including all sorts of formats (video, podcasts, music, poetry, etc.) and mobile documents (e.g. collaborative, ‘open-source’, documents) as well as stationary documents (e.g. reports, organizational maps).

Teaching and learning activities

The course is taught through a combination of seminars, individual exercises, presentations, and written assignments. The language of instruction and examination is English.

Seminar dates

Seminar 1: Introduction 11/9, 15-17
Introduction to qualitative methods, the course and an overview of the assignments

Seminar 2: Observations 30/9, 14-17
During this seminar you will present and we will discuss your findings of an observation study.

Seminar 3: Interviews 16/10, 14-17
During this seminar you will present and we will discuss your findings of an observation study.

Seminar 4: Document Studies 28/10, 14-17
During this seminar you will present and we will discuss your findings of a document study.

Seminar 5: Wrap-Up 6/11, 14-17
Based on your main empirical findings, you will:

• Reflect on your research process and on the pros and cons of the methods applied
• Discuss and reflect on the added value of using the methods, including the possibilities for analysis when different methods are combined.

Contact

Head of Course
Tommy Jensen, tommy.jensen@sbs.su.se

Registration

To register for the course, please contact the course coordinator, Helene Olofsson, helene.olofsson@sbs.su.se