POLS 253 - Qualitative Data Analysis

Basic Information

Course Code:

POLS 253

Course Name:

Qualitative Data Analysis

Language of Instruction:

English

Course Type:

Class

Course Level:

Bachelor

ECTS:

6.00

Instructor:

Doç. Dr. Nermin AYDEMİR

Course Objectives

The aim of this course is to enable students to understand the ontological, epistemological, and methodological foundations of qualitative research and to apply fundamental qualitative research methods in practice. The course seeks to develop students’ ability to design qualitative research, select appropriate data collection methods, analyse qualitative data systematically, and report research findings in accordance with academic standards. It also aims to raise students’ awareness of research ethics, researcher positionality, and the ethical issues that may arise when conducting research with vulnerable groups.

Course Content

The course introduces the defining features of qualitative research and its principal ontological, epistemological, and methodological foundations. Its main topics include developing qualitative research questions, designing a research project, selecting participants and samples, and using data collection methods such as semi-structured interviews, focus groups, observation, and document analysis. The course also covers the organisation, coding, thematic analysis, interpretation, and reporting of qualitative data. Research ethics, researcher reflexivity, informed consent, confidentiality, and research involving vulnerable groups are examined through practical examples.

Prerequisites / Corequisites

There is no pre-requisite for this course.

Course Books / Materials / Recommended Resources

Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.Flick, U. (2009). An Introduction to Qualitative Research (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.Ritchie, J., & Lewis, J. (Eds.). (2003). Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers. SAGE Publications.Other materials will be shared on the LMS.

Learning Outcomes

Code	Description
LO1	Explain the main ontological, epistemological, and methodological approaches underpinning qualitative research.
LO2	Develop qualitative research questions and a research design appropriate to a given research problem.
LO3	Compare fundamental qualitative data collection methods, including interviews, focus groups, observation, and document analysis, and select an appropriate method.
LO4	Collect data by applying at least one qualitative data collection technique.
LO5	Systematically code, analyse, and interpret qualitative data.
LO6	Report the findings of qualitative research in accordance with academic standards.
LO7	Evaluate ethical principles, researcher positionality, and responsibilities associated with conducting research involving vulnerable groups.

Weekly Course Content

Week	Content
1	Introduction to the Course
2	Introduction to Qualitative Research
3	Research Design in Qualitative Research
4	Research Questions in Qualitative Research
5	Sampling in Qualitative Research
6	Interviewing
7	Participant Observation
8	Midterm Week
9	Content Analysis
10	Computer-Assisted Content Analysis
11	Grounded Theory
12	Narrative Analysis
13	Reporting Qualitative Research Findings
14	Feedback on Student Projects
15	Project Presentations

Workload Calculation

Activity	Count	Duration (Hours)	Total
Attendance	13	2.50	32.50
Practice	13	1.00	13.00
Pre-Class Individual Study	13	1.00	13.00
Post-Prectice Individual Study	10	1.00	10.00
Midterm Exam/Preparation	1	20.00	20.00
Final Exam/Preparation	1	20.00	20.00
Homework	3	8.00	24.00
Research Presentation	1	5.00	5.00
Field Study	4	10.00	40.00
Total Workload (Hours)			177.5
ECTS Credit (Workload / 25)			6

Assessment

#	Assessment Type	Contribution (%)
1	Midterm Exam	%30
2	Homework	%10
3	Homework	%10
4	Homework	%10
5	Final Exam	%40
TOTAL		%100

PO - LO Matrix

PO \ LO	LO1	LO2	LO3	LO4	LO5	LO6	LO7
PO-1
PO-2
PO-3
PO-4
PO-5
PO-6
PO-7

1

Low Contribution

2

Medium Contribution

3

High Contribution

Teaching and Learning Methods

#	Method Name	Description	Tools
1	Lecture (expository teaching), interactive discussion	Listening and taking notes.	Standard classroom technologies, multimedia tools (projector, computer, digital presentations)
2	Controversial Course	Listening and comprehension, critical thinking	Standard classroom technologies, multimedia tools, projector, computer, overhead projector
3	Small Group Discussion	Listening and comprehension, processing observations/situations, critical thinking, question development	Standard classroom technologies, multimedia tools, projector, computer, overhead projector
4	Seminar	Research – lifelong learning, writing, reading, IT, listening and comprehension, managerial skills	Standard classroom technologies, multimedia tools, projector, computer, overhead projector, special equipment
5	Group Work	Students work in groups to prepare presentations.	Research and presentation
6	On-site learning, supervised clinical practice (hands-on training)	Performing clinical procedures under supervision, patient management, and clinical decision-making	Clinical environment, dental units, clinical instruments and materials
7	Oral	Research – lifelong learning, processing situations, developing questions, interpreting, presenting
8	Review / Survey Work	Research – lifelong learning, writing, reading
9	Student Community Activities / Projects	Observation/processing situations, critical thinking, question development, teamwork, Research – lifelong learning, writing,

Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence

Students are expected to comply with the principles of academic integrity in all assignments and during the design, data collection, analysis, and reporting stages of their research. Plagiarism, fabrication or falsification of data, presenting interviews or observations that were not actually conducted, using another person’s data or analysis without proper acknowledgement, and submitting work prepared by someone else as one’s own constitute violations of academic integrity. Students must obtain informed consent from research participants and protect confidentiality, anonymity, and data security. Violations of academic integrity will be addressed in accordance with the relevant university regulations and applicable higher education legislation.