SPEDM003 Qualitative Research

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2027
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Barbora Nekardová (lecturer)
Mgr. Jakub Vlček (lecturer)
prof. Mgr. Klára Šeďová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Martin Majcík, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. Mgr. Klára Šeďová, Ph.D.
Department of Educational Sciences – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Helena Juřicová
Supplier department: Department of Educational Sciences – Faculty of Arts
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 10 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/10, only registered: 0/10
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the theoretical and practical aspects of qualitative research methodology and its application in educational sciences. First, the theoretical foundations of the qualitative paradigm are presented. Then, the process of conducting qualitative research is described in detail, step by step. Students work both individually and in groups. Throughout the course, they gradually complete assigned tasks, which are continuously evaluated, and feedback is provided. Each student selects their own research question and works on developing a research project based on it. The final output of the course is the completion of the individual research project and its defense at a mini-conference held during the exam period.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the philosophical foundations of qualitative research.
- Choose adequate tools and procedures when formulating a conceptual framework.
- Identify a research problem suitable for a qualitative research investigation.
- Correctly formulate a research question suitable for a qualitative investigation.
- Adequately plan the research design.
- Create a semi-structured in-depth interview outline and conduct an interview based on it.
- Apply basic analytical techniques: open coding, categorization, creation of an analytical story.
- Interpret interview data.
- Assess and ensure the quality of the research.
Key topics
  • 1. Introduction to the course. Methodological foundations. Characteristics of social science research.
  • 2. Creating a conceptual framework. Working with sources. AI tools.
  • 3. Qualitative research designs.
  • 4. Creating a research questions.
  • 5. Data collection methods.
  • 6. Methods of data analysis.
  • 7. Qualitative data analysis - interviews.
  • 8. Qualitative data analysis - observation.
  • 9. Qualitative data analysis - content analysis.
  • 10. Interpretation of data and formulation of claims.
  • 11. Ensuring the quality of research.
  • 12. Creating a final report.
Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • YIN, Robert K. Qualitative research from start to finish. Second edition. New York: The Guilford press, 2016, xxix, 386. ISBN 9781462521340. info
  • SALDAÑA, Johnny. The coding manual for qualitative researchers. 3e. Los Angeles: Sage, 2016, xiv, 339. ISBN 9781473902497. info
  • ŠEĎOVÁ, Klára and Roman ŠVAŘÍČEK. Jak psát kvalitativně orientované výzkumné studie. Kvalita v kvalitativním výzkumu (How to write qualitatively oriented research studies. Quality in qualitative research). Pedagogická orientace. Brno: Česká pedagogická společnost, 2013, vol. 23, No 4, p. 478-510. ISSN 1211-4669. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5817/PedOr2013-4-478. Full text info
  • GIBBS, Graham. Analyzing qualitative data. First published. Los Angeles: Sage, 2007, xiii, 160. ISBN 9780761949800. info
  • ŠVAŘÍČEK, Roman and Klára ŠEĎOVÁ. Kvalitativní výzkum v pedagogických vědách: pravidla hry (Qualitative Research in Educational Sciences: Game Rules). Další autor:M.Sedláček,P.Novotný,K.Nedbálková,M.Miková,T.Janík,O.Kaščák,J.Zounek. vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2007, 384 pp. Pedagogika. ISBN 978-80-7367-313-0. URL info
  • HENDL, Jan. Kvalitativní výzkum : základní metody a aplikace. Vydání první. Praha: Portál, 2005, 407 stran. ISBN 8073670402. info
    recommended literature
  • MIOVSKÝ, Michal. Kvalitativní přístup a metody v psychologickém výzkumu. Vydání 1. Praha: Grada, 2006, 332 stran. ISBN 9788024713625. info
  • HOLLIDAY, Adrian. Doing and writing qualitative research. London: SAGE, 2002, xi, 211. ISBN 0761963928. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Lecture and seminar – explanation, group discussion and group work on assigned tasks
To complete the course, a workload of 200 hours (8 ECTS credits) is expected:
- Participation in classes (30 hours)
- Independent study of professional literature (40 hours)
- Solving ongoing tasks based on source analysis and own work (55 hours)
- Preparation of one's own research project (60 hours)
- Preparation for the final defense (15 hours)
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
To successfully complete the course, the following conditions must be met: 1. participation in seminars (according to the agreed number of absences) 2. completion of ongoing assignments 3. submission of the final project 4. defense of the project
Language of instruction
Czech
Study support
https://elf.phil.muni.cz
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
Teacher's information
All key course information can be found in the ELF platform, accessible to all students. This includes the syllabus, course completion requirements, topic-specific materials, assignment instructions, and submission guidelines. Students are expected to review these materials. Exam dates will be posted in the IS MU system.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2027, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2027/SPEDM003