ENSn4447 Qualitative research in environmentalism

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/2/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Taught in person.
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Lucie Galčanová Batista, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Jan Činčera, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Jan Činčera, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Kateřina Müllerová
Supplier department: Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! HEN447 Qualitative research &&! NOW ( HEN447 Qualitative research )&&(! ENSn4446 Quantitative research && ! NOW ( ENSn4446 Quantitative research ))&& TYP_STUDIA ( N )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the basic approaches, methods and research techniques of qualitative research in the social sciences. In the form of lectures, reading the basic methodological texts and of practical exercises, the students will not only gain the theoretical knowledge, but also the necessary practical skills to conduct individual qualitative research as well as cooperate in small research teams. In addition to the research design students will also acquainted with general methods of presentation of the research results and the creation of an academic text.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to identify the features of research approaches of qualitative research, the differences between them and the practical implications of their application for the research process and the presentation of the results. He/she will be able to develop his/her own research process design, formulate a research problem and research questions, and work independently on data collection, analysis and academic presentation.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction - principles of qualitative research in environmental studies 2. Main approaches in qualitative research, related designs, techniques and analytical procedures with a focus on social sciences and humanities 3. The importance of theory in qualitative research, research problem and research question, research objectives and data sources, research ethics 4. Observation, ethnography 5. In-depth interview 6. Independent fieldwork - research 7. Participatory action research 8. Data analysis - open coding, categorisation, writing memos 9. Data analysis - focused coding, practices that develop imagination and analytical thinking 10. Innovative techniques in research, use of LLMs/AI 11. Qualitative research outputs - academic writing and structure; concept maps, ethical and authorship issues 12. Qualitative research outputs - creative process, writing an academic text with a focus on the thesis project; visualisation and oral presentation of results 13. Closing conference - oral presentation of term project results The sequence of classes may vary depending on the course of the semester and the particular group's needs.
Literature
    required literature
  • Novotná, H., Špaček, O., & Šťovíčková Jantulová, M. (Ed.). (2020). Metody výzkumu ve společenských vědách. Praha: FHS UK.
  • KAUFMANN, Jean-Claude. Chápající rozhovor. Translated by Marie Černá. Vydání první. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství (SLON), 2010, 151 stran. ISBN 9788074190339. info
    recommended literature
  • CHARMAZ, Kathy. Constructing grounded theory : a practical guide through qualitative analysis. London ;: Sage Publications, 2006, xiii, 208. ISBN 0761973532. info
  • BRYMAN, Alan. Social research methods. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012, xli, 766. ISBN 9780199588053. info
  • Saldana, J. (2021). The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. London: SAGE.
  • SEIDMAN, Irving. Interviewing as qualitative research : a guide for researchers in education and the social sciences. 4th ed. New York: Teachers College Press, 2013, xiv, 178. ISBN 9780807754047. info
  • CRESWELL, John W. Qualitative inquiry & research design : choosing among five approaches. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks: SAGE, 2013, xxi, 448. ISBN 9781412995306. info
  • The Sage handbook of qualitative research. Edited by Norman K. Denzin - Yvonna S. Lincoln. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2011, xvi, 766. ISBN 9781412974172. URL info
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminars, field work, individual theoretical and practical preparation, group project and presentation.
Assessment methods
The evaluation is based on continuous work and preparations for seminars, individual research tasks, group projects and final tests.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2024, recent)
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