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Qualitative Research Skills - EDU00056I

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  • Department: Education
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module will introduce students to qualitative research. Students will learn how to design qualitative research projects and analyse qualitative data. Students will also explore the wider conceptual, practical and theoretical matters related to qualitative research, including ethics, epistemology and reflexivity.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

This module will introduce students to qualitative research. Students will learn how to design qualitative research projects and analyse qualitative data. Students will also explore the wider conceptual, practical and theoretical matters related to qualitative research, including ethics, epistemology and reflexivity.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module students will be able to:

  • Describe the characteristics of high-quality, ethical qualitative research.

  • Evaluate commonly-used qualitative research methods in the field of psychology in education, e.g., interviews and focus groups.

  • Discuss the conceptual and practical considerations central to qualitative research.

  • Understand and apply qualitative analysis techniques.

Academic and graduate skills

Students will have learned how to:

  • Manage a range of sources and critically evaluate the reliability and validity of these in informing and supporting academic argumentation.

  • Understand how to collect and prepare qualitative data for analysis.

  • Conduct qualitative analysis.

  • Use the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) website, and the Internet effectively.

Module content

The following is indicative of the different topics that will be covered:

  • Key features of qualitative research.

  • Ethical issues related to qualitative research.

  • Methods of generating qualitative data (e.g., interviews and focus groups).

  • Qualitative data analyses (e.g., thematic analysis).

  • Epistemology and reflexivity.

  • How to write a qualitative research paper.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Individual written feedback reports, with follow-up tutor meeting, if necessary. The feedback is returned to students in line with university policy. Please check the Guide to Assessment, Standards, Marking and Feedback for more information.

Indicative reading

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic Analysis: A Practical Guide. Sage.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2013). Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners. Sage.

Sullivan, C., & Forrester, M.A. (2018). Doing Qualitative Research in Psychology: A Practical Guide (2nd Ed.). Sage.

Sullivan, C., Gibson, S., Riley, S.C.E. (2012). Doing your Qualitative Psychology Project. Sage.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.