Universität Wien
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210010 UE BAK3 Qualitative Methods (2025S)

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
We 19.03. 16:45-18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock

Details

Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 26.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 02.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 09.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 30.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 07.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 14.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 21.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 28.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 04.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 11.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 18.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 25.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Empirical qualitative research is a cornerstone of political science. Qualitative research asks “why” and thus makes it possible to understand issues in depth.

In recent years, political discourse has been increasingly influenced by misinformation and disinformation. “Alternative facts”, hate and incitment of violance under the guise of ‘free speech’, AI-generated content, bots and algorithms on social media and many other factors contribute - often deliberately - to fragmentation. When even the truth is up for debate, where does qualitative research come in?

In this course, we will learn the basics of empirical qualitative research and ask how qualitative empirical research can explain, question and analyze current political discourses. Our focus is on political discourses in Austria (National Council election campaign 2024, possible new elections), the USA (presidential election campaign 2024) and Germany (Bundestag election campaign 2025).

In practical exercises we discuss:
- What makes research “empirical”
- Wording a strong research question
- Various qualitative methods: Interviews, focus groups, ethnography, (participant) observation, literature/media analysis, etc.
- The philosophy and ethics behind qualitative research
- Conducting qualitative interviews and leading focus group discussions
- Different methods of analyzing collected data
- Writing scientific publications

During the course, students work on their own empirical qualitative research project and write a publication.

Assessment and permitted materials

- own research project: the course guides students through the research process step by step, from the research question to writing an article ready for publication

- research diary: an entry at least every two weeks in which the content of the course is reflected on with regard to the student's own research project

- reading the weekly article: every week we discuss a new qualitative research article, to be read in preparation.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The grade is made up as follows:

40% own research project --> The project must meet scientific standards that we establish in the course
30% research diary --> It must be recognizable that lesson contents have been applied to your own research
30% weekly article --> A short summary of the article must be uploaded to Moodle in advance (the template will be handed out in the first course unit).

Examination topics

Students write an article (approx. 5,000 words) about their own research project, which must be uploaded to Moodle at the end of the course.

The entries in the research diary and the summaries of the articles must be uploaded to Moodle regularly.

Exact form requirements and deadlines can be found in the syllabus (handed out in the first unit).

Reading list

The literature is listed in the syllabus and made available on Moodle.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Tu 14.01.2025 15:06