Course Outline BUSINESS 705: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS Semester 2, 2011 Course Prescription

Students will become familiar with current theory and practice as well as methodological debates in the use of qualitative methodologies, including ethnography, case studies, archival research, participant observation, interview and focus group methods, as well as transcription and analysis.

Programme and Course Advice

This is an advanced course intended for students enrolled in the Master of Commerce, Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) or Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce degrees. The course provides students with the necessary theoretical and analytical tools to undertake further qualitative research towards their Honours research essays or Masters theses.

Goals of the Course

This course focuses on the application of qualitative research methods in organizational contexts. It discusses different approaches to the study of organisations and organisational behaviour with special emphasis on qualitative methodology.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course it is expected that the student will be able to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. understand the distinctive challenges associated with studying and researching in organisations; describe the constituent assumptions/ elements and applications of various qualitative research methodologies; critique established works (published research) on methodological strengths and weaknesses; design research technologies such as interview and focus group schedules; Collect organisational orientated data, and analyse the raw data.

Content Outline

Introduction to Qualitative Methods Paradigms Grounded Theory Case Study Discourse/ Narrative Ethnography Visual Methodologies

Interviews Focus Groups Documents/ Archival Presentations

Learning and Teaching

To achieve the outcomes outlined above, a variety of teaching approaches will be utilized including content presentations, class activities, group and individual presentations, visiting research guestspots, and methods practice sessions. The class meets for three hours per week on Mondays between10 and 1. Students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning and to use at least six additional hours each week in preparing for class. Weekly readings have been prescribed for this paper and it is expected students will complete these prior to attending to support their active engagement in class activities. Participation is essential, and students will be expected to master material assigned in readings, presented in class lectures, discussions, and presentations. Dates and Times Mondays 10am - 1pm Location: Owen Glen Building, Room 325

Teaching Staff
Dr Brigid Carroll Office: Owen G Glenn Building, Level 4, Room 469 Phone: 923-4285 b.carroll@auckland.ac.nz

Learning Resources
Reading material will be linked from the library course page for the paper http://coursepages.library.auckland.ac.nz/business/705/ Business Qualitative Research Web Site: http://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/subjects/bus/infosources/qualitative_research.htm

Assessment
The course is 100% internally assessed. It will be assessed as follows: Assessment 1: Paper Critique Assessment 2: Article Presentation Assessment 3: Data Analysis Exercise Assessment 4: Group Presentation Marks 20% 10% + 10% 35% 25% Due Date 22/ 08 ongoing 03/10 17/10

Learning Outcome 1 2 3 4 5

Paper Critique X X

Article Presentation X X X

Data Analysis X X X X

Group Presentation X X X