This graduate course is designed to prepare students of environmental studies to develop and conduct original research in the social sciences. Students will learn about the basics of the theory and practice of qualitative research and apply this learning to produce scholarship in their field of inquiry. The class will begin with an introduction to theoretical perspectives crucial to understanding and conducting such research, including topics such as epistemology, power dynamics in cross-cultural contexts, research ethics, and rigor. Students will gain practice in qualitative content analysis, interviewing, and focus groups. Students will subsequently develop and carry out a qualitative research project of appropriate scope utilizing relevant research methods of their choice, building on a recently completed literature review. Work in this course will include preparing a research proposal with a clearly articulated research question, relevant methodology, a Human Subjects Review application, data collection, transcribing, coding, writing, and an oral presentation of the research proposal and analysis. The process of publishing in peer-reviewed journals will also be discussed.
Class Modality TBA
Class Schedule: Wednesday nights, 6:00 pm-10:00 pm, PST.Â
Qualified undergraduates may be enrolled in an undergraduate CRN for this course with faculty signature approval.
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Academic Details
social science