Qualitative Research Methods and the Study of Current Issues of Nationalism 2018/2019 Spring

Week 2                

Research question and research structure

 

Topics

What is it you want to research? Why? Why does it matter?

Research questions originating from everyday experiences

Literature review. Refine your research question in analytical terms

How do you go about finding the answers?

Choosing and mixing methods

Choosing your field and research subjects

 

Example: Research plan

 

Assignment: research plan

Choose a topic (potential thesis topic) and formulate it into a research plan that indicates what you will study, what you want to find out, and what you want to understand or show through this inquiry. Indicate the methods and the analytic concepts to be applied.

Please bring the research plan (1,5-2 page, 3000-4000 characters) to the next class.

 

Readings:            

Hammersley, Martyn and Paul Atkinson (1983): Research design. Problems, cases and samples. In: Ibid: Ethnography: Principles and Practice. London, NY: Routledge 23-53.

Recommended readings

Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb and Joseph M. Williams “From Topics to Questions” and “From Questions to Problems.” (1993): In Ibid. The Craft of Research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 29-63.