CIRTL Network - Using Qualitative Methods To Enrich Teaching and Learning

09-23-2019 2:00 PM

Get an introduction to qualitative research methods for classroom-based research in this two-part workshop. In the first session, participants will explore fundamental differences between qualitative orientations and more common research designs in STEM. Foundational (theoretical) knowledge that underlies much of qualitative research will be summarized so that students understand how and why qualitative research looks and feels different. Following this discussion, the advantages of using observation as a qualitative method will be explored, with special emphasis on understanding the difference between approaching an inquiry product from an inductive versus deductive reasoning approach and how the method of observation can add rigor when examining learning behaviors. In the second session, participants will hone in on what makes for effective qualitative research interviews. Interviewing is a common technique both inside the world of research and without. Whereas interviews are generally viewed as purposeful conversations, qualitative researchers use interviews to gather descriptive data and to document and discover interpretations of the world. Further, interviews in qualitative research are rarely used as a stand-alone strategy as they are often paired with observation and document analysis. This session will explore the distinguishing features of qualitative interviews, describe their use as primary and secondary data collection methods and engage participants in constructing interview questions for classroom-based research.

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Research