82216 - Laboratory Of Qualitative Social Research 1

Learning outcomes

The course provides – also through practice exercises – an introduction to basic epistemological assumptions and technical skills concerning a qualitative social science research, preparing students to design, carry out, report, read and evaluate qualitative methods projects.

Course contents

Course activities are structured in two parts.

The first part proposes an in-depth itinerary concerning both the epistemological principles of qualitative inquiry and the main issues of fieldwork research. It will also look at data collection methods including interviewing, focus groups, participant observation, and document collection.

The second part aims to develop a real-life research activity with participant students, applying the qualitative research methods studied in the first part. This will end in a paper including analysis of the data collected.

Readings/Bibliography

Students have to prepare a paper based on the research activities carried out during the course. The followings books could be useful:

· Laura Arosio, L’analisi documentaria nella ricerca sociale. Metodologia e metodo dai classici a Internet, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2013.

· Rita Bichi,La conduzione delle interviste nella ricerca sociale, Roma, Carocci, 2007.

· Alessandro Dal Lago e Rocco De Biase (a cura di),Un certo sguardo. Introduzione all’etnografia sociale. Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2002.

· Giovanni Semi, L’osservazione partecipante. Una guida pratica, Bologna, il Mulino, 2010

Teaching methods

This course requires the active participation of all class members through small and large group activities, presentations, active listening, debate, and discussion. Other instructional methods employed in the course include lectures and guest presentations.

Assessment methods

Class attendance and regular participation is required for this course.

Assessment will be in both written and oral form.

Teaching tools

Pc and projector

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Martelli