82216 - Laboratory Of Qualitative Social Research 1

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to design and conduct a study using qualitative research methods, including participant and/or naturalistic observation, discursive interviews, focus groups, and digital ethnography. Students will engage in small-group practical exercises focusing on specific phenomena of social relevance. By the end of the laboratory, students will be able to formulate clear research questions, translate and operationalise them into appropriate data collection and analysis techniques, and critically understand and assess the findings of qualitative empirical research on topics within the social sciences.

Course contents

The laboratory activities combine lectures with practical exercises.

Through lectures, the laboratory explores the epistemological foundations and underlying principles of qualitative research, as well as the different stages of fieldwork. These include developing the research design—formulating research questions and objectives and defining the work plan—exploring one of the main data collection techniques, namely interviewing, and analysing and interpreting empirical material for the preparation of a research report.

During the practical exercises, students will engage directly in fieldwork, starting from the selection of one of the topics proposed by the lecturer at the beginning of the laboratory.

To ensure that the classroom activities, which include practical assignments and intermediate assessments, remain sustainable and effective, students may be absent for no more than five classes.

Readings/Bibliography

Students who follow the in-class programme described above will agree with the lecturer, during the course, on a specific area of further study leading to the preparation of a written assignment based on their participation in the empirical research activities.

Students who do not follow the in-class programme described above should refer to the following texts:

Cardano, M. (2011), La ricerca qualitativa, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Delli Paoli, A. and D’Auria, V. (2021), “Digital Ethnography: A Systematic Literature Review”, Italian Sociological Review, 11, 243–267.

Teaching methods

The laboratory course consists of lectures and practical exercises. Particular emphasis will be placed on an interactive approach, including peer feedback among students and feedback between students and the lecturer. Students are expected to engage progressively with both the course materials and the activities designed to provide hands-on experience of the main field data collection techniques.

Assessment methods

For students who attend the in-class programme described above, the assessment of the knowledge and skills acquired will take place during the laboratory activities and will include both written and oral components.

The assessment will consist of two parts:

1. an individual written assessment of the administration of a semi-structured interview;

2. a group written assessment of the analysis of the research process carried out during the laboratory, followed by a group oral presentation.

The following assessment criteria will be applied:

• knowledge of the course content;

• ability to critically discuss and justify the methodological process developed within the research project;

• for non-attending students, knowledge of the assigned readings.

Grades will be awarded according to the following scale:

• 18–20: sufficient knowledge and skills;

• 21–23: satisfactory knowledge and skills;

• 24–26: good knowledge and skills;

• 27–28: very good knowledge and skills;

• 29–30: excellent knowledge and skills;

• 30 with honours: outstanding knowledge and skills.

The group oral presentations will take place during the final classroom sessions.

For non-attending students, assessment will be based on the study of the assigned readings.

Notice for students with specific learning disorders or temporary or permanent disabilities: students are strongly advised to contact the relevant University office in good time: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti . The office will propose any appropriate accommodations. These must be submitted to the lecturer for approval at least 15 days in advance. The lecturer will assess their suitability also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Use of AI

Artificial intelligence may be used as a support tool for individual study, including for further exploration of course topics, summarising materials, and self-assessment activities. However, the use of AI is prohibited in assessed work, particularly in the preparation of the research report. Any such use will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Computer, projector, presentation slides and scientific articles.

Office hours

See the website of Stella Volturo