B0309 - LABORATORIO DI METODI QUALITATIVI

Academic Year 2022/2023

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Politics Administration and Organization (cod. 9085)

Learning outcomes

The lab aims to provide students with soft skills that may prove useful in their future careers. The goal is to advance students' skills through practical exercises. The student will be provided with the elementary basics of qualitative and ethnographic methods for analyzing relevant sociological issues and conveyed the essential tools for conducting independent ethnographic research and writing a report that will be the subject of the final assessment.

Course contents

The lab has an eminently practical and operational objective. The purpose is to provide the student with the elementary foundations of qualitative and ethnographic methods for the analysis of relevant sociological issues.

Ethnography and qualitative research are central research methods and strategies in sociology. The course aims to illustrate the characteristics, objectives, problems and outcomes of these strategies through the reading and subsequent application of empirical ethnographic and qualitative research.

Ethnography consists of the researcher's immersion within the world under scrutiny guided by rigorously defined hypotheses, and the writing of a report based on the results of this immersion. The course therefore also aims to provide students with the tools to conduct independent ethnographic research and write a report that will be the subject of the final assessment. Attendance is mandatory.

The topic chosen for the proposed lab exercises will be proposed during the first meeting.

Further information will be provided at the first meeting.

Readings/Bibliography

- Corbetta, P., Metodologia e tecniche della ricerca sociale. Bologna: Il Mulino, 1999, cap. 10 "L'intervista qualitativa".

- Colombo, A. La solitudine di chi resta. La morte ai tempi del contagio. Bologna: Il Mulino, 2021.

- VARESE, F. (2022) Rigorous Ethnography, in K. Gërxhani et al., Handbook of Sociological Science, Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 215-231 (open access [https://www.elgaronline.com/view/book/9781789909432/book-part-9781789909432-20.xml] | pdf [https://www.elgaronline.com/downloadpdf/book/9781789909432/book-part-9781789909432-20.xml] )

- WHYTE, W. F. (2011) Street Corner Society. Uno Slum Italo-Americano, Bologna: Il Mulino, (almeno "Appendice: Storia di una ricerca, pp. 357-440); 1° ed. 1943

Teaching methods

After a first part dedicated to the presentation of the lab, its objectives and the research methods used, we will move on to the practical part.Participants will be engaged in the conduct of a sociological research of which they will learn to carry out all the steps until the presentation of a final report that will be the subject of evaluation.

Assessment methods

Submission of a final report.

Teaching tools

- Texts or websites for further study
- Other materials, if any

Office hours

See the website of Asher Daniel Colombo

SDGs

Quality education Peace, justice and strong institutions

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.