HFIK03522U CANCELLED FILO, Module 4: Contemporary Philosophical Discussion: Qualitative Methods: In Practice and Theory

Volume 2015/2016
Education

Master i Philosophy

Content

Qualitative methods are widely used within the humanities and the social sciences just as they are employed by private companies and public organizations. This course offers an introduction both to the practical use of qualitative methods, and to the philosophical issues raised by their employment. 

In the first part of the course, various methods such as qualitative interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and discourse analysis, are presented together with the practical challenges and problems that may accompany their use. The second part of the course focuses on contemporary debates about the philosophical issues that are brought up by the use of these methods. These include: When is qualitative research ethically acceptable and when is it ethically problematic? To what extent may and should the qualitative researcher prevent her own moral and political views, etc. from influencing the research? What follows from the research participants’ sayings and doings being possibly influenced by the research situation? How does interpretation of qualitative data proceed? What sort of causal explanations may be offered on the basis of qualitative data? How should qualitative research be assessed? Is qualitative research objective?

As part of the course, students are required to design and carry out a small qualitative research project of their own. 

The course does not require any prior knowledge of philosophy.

 

Learning Outcome

The Master’s Programme in Philosophy 2014:

The final exam is a portfolio-based oral exam. The portfolio is to be submitted at the end of the course and it should contain a brief introduction plus revised versions of written exercises/reports submitted during the course.

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 42
  • Course Preparation
  • 367,5
  • Total
  • 409,5
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other
The exam will be conducted in English.

The final exam is a portfolio-based oral exam. The portfolio is to be submitted at the end of the course and it should contain a brief introduction plus revised versions of written exercises/reports submitted during the course.

Eksamenssproget følger undervisningssproget. Det
vil dog efter aftale med underviser være muligt at aflægge eksamen på dansk
Criteria for exam assesment