MVPd0001 Qualitative Research in International and European Politics

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2026
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 20 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Dr. Eva Isabel Fernandez Guzman Grassi, PhD (lecturer)
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Hedvika Koďousková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Jan Osička, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Hedvika Koďousková, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! MVZ001 Research Concepts/Paradigms && ! EVS001 Europ. Pol. Research
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Abstract
The aim of the course is to introduce doctoral students to qualitative methods in the social sciences as a specific approach to understanding social reality. Emphasis is placed on understanding the logic of qualitative research, formulating questions appropriate for this approach, and grasping key strategies of data collection and analysis. The course fosters a basic orientation in epistemological foundations (positivism vs. interpretivism) and introduces ethical and transparency-related aspects of research practice. Particular attention is given to the ability to understand research context, analyze social phenomena, and interpret the meanings that actors assign to their actions. We are delighted to announce that Eva Fernández, Ph.D., from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, will be giving on-line lectures this round.
Learning outcomes
Upon completing the course, the student will be able to explain the basic epistemological foundations of qualitative research, distinguish between positivist and interpretivist approaches, and understand how to formulate research questions and key elements of qualitative design. The student will be able to describe main methods of data collection and analysis, comprehend the importance of context, social processes, and intersubjective meanings, recognize ethical issues, and reflect on the relationship between the researcher and research participants.
Key topics
Course schedule (on-line via ZOOM): St 1. 10. 12:00–14:30, St 15. 10. 12:00–14:30, St 29. 10. 12:00–14:30, St 12. 11. 12:00–14:30, St 26. 11. 12:00–14:30, St 10. 12. 12:00–14:30. The course will cover the following topics: Introduction to qualitative research; Formulating a research problem and design; Data collection strategies; Fundamentals of qualitative data analysis; Ethics, transparency, and reflexivity.
Study resources and literature
  • SCHWARTZ-SHEA, Peregrine and Dvora YANOW. Interpretive research design : concepts and processes. New York: Routledge, 2012, xiv, 184. ISBN 9780415878081. info
  • SCHREIER, Margrit. Qualitative content analysis in practice. First published. London: SAGE, 2012, viii, 272. ISBN 9781849205931. info
  • Approaches and methodologies in the social sciences : a pluralist perspective. Edited by Donatella Della Porta - Michael Keating. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008, xv, 365. ISBN 9780521709668. info
  • Qualitative methods in international relations : a pluralist guide. Edited by Audie Klotz - Deepa Prakash. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008, xii, 260. ISBN 9780230542396. info
  • Researching society and culture. Edited by Clive Seale. 2nd ed. London: Sage Publications, 2004, viii, 536. ISBN 9780761941972. info
  • JORGENSEN, Marianne and Louise PHILLIPS. Discourse analysis as theory and method. 1st pub. London: SAGE Publications, 2002, viii, 229. ISBN 0-7619-7112-2. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
The course combines lectures with interactive seminars, text-based discussions, and practical exercises. Emphasis is placed on active student participation and the development of analytical and reflexive thinking.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
Students will take a final written exam composed of open-ended questions. The exam will assess their understanding of the fundamental logic of qualitative research, its epistemological foundations, main approaches and methods of data collection and their analysis. On a top of that, students will work out a practical task according to the lecturer's assignment.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught in blocks.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024, Autumn 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2026, recent)
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