POAD9141 Qualitative Research Methods

2011

4.5

1 x 50-minute lecture weekly
1 x 50-minute workshop weekly

POAD9126 has been successfully completed

Master of Public Administration; Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management; Graduate Certificate in Public Policy: Graduate Diploma in Public Administration

This topic aims to provide a research methods toolkit to facilitate understanding across context, social theory and practice. The subject covers: conceptualisation and ethical considerations in research including logic, empiricism (qualitative and quantitative), idealism, the dialectic and pragmatism as positions taken by stakeholders with whom policy makers and public managers work as co-designers; critical thinking based on the subjective, objective and intersubjective domains of knowledge; research design, including ideographic and nomothetic approaches to research, and validity and reliability in research design; iterative design in participatory action and feminist research; a toolkit of qualitative research methodology and methods including case study methodology and the reviewing of literature; and a toolkit of quantitative research methodology and methods.

This topic aims to :

• provide a research methods toolkit to facilitate understanding across context, social theory and practice
• provide the knowledge, skills and capacity to undertake independent research.

On successful completion of this topic, students should be able to:

• conceptualize and design a study so as to address specific research questions/areas of concern appropriately
• think critically and analytically
• conceptualise research and understand representation issues in research
• apply appropriate research methods and methodology
• undertake ethical and accountable research