SOC3006 Qualitative Methods in SociologyBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICSGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
SOC3006 Qualitative Methods in Sociology Fall 3 0 3 5
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Prof. Dr. AYŞE NİLÜFER NARLI
Course Lecturer(s): Assoc. Prof. ULAŞ SUNATA ÖZDEMİR
Prof. Dr. AYŞE NİLÜFER NARLI
Prof. Dr. İPEK ALTINBAŞAK FARİNA
Recommended Optional Program Components: "."
Course Objectives: The best way to learn qualitative methods in sociology is to apply them. Thus, the greater part of this course involves doing qualitative research and discussing research issues and questions with each other. As outlined below, the requirements for this course revolve around conducting a research project on a topic of interest to you.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1) Recall methodology of social sciences
2) Defend ethical and political issues in social research
3) Discuss non-survey data collection techniques
4) Apply non-survey data collection techniques
5) Construct qualitative research design
6) Analyze qualitative data without using software
7) Analyze qualitative data by means of at least one computer aided analysis

Course Content

This course is designed as an introduction to basic issues on the practice and problems of qualitative research methods including alternative methodological approaches in sociology. In the course, we will discuss the non-positivist methodological issues (i.e. interpretative social research, critical social research, feminist and post-modernist approaches) and their analysis (i.e. expressed as words, pictures, objects, videos). Afterwards we will devote our time to ethical and political concerns in social research. Participant observation, field research techniques, historical and comparative analysis, focus group, interview techniques, content analysis, oral history (life history) analysis are the main topics that we plan to cover throughout the semester.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) The Meanings of Methodology- Introduction to the Course: Going over the Syllabus
2) The Meanings of Methodology- Remembering Methodology of Social Sciences
3) The Meanings of Methodology Remembering Methodology of Social Sciences (cont.)
4) Ethical and Political Issues in Social Research
5) Non-Survey Data Collection Techniques- Document Study and Experimental Research
6) Non-Survey Data Collection Techniques- FILM&FILM REVIEW: “Das Experiment” “The Experiment”
7) Qualitative Research Design
8) Qualitative Research Design: Field Research
9) Qualitative Research Design: Interview Studies
10) Analyzing Qualitative Data
11) Analyzing Qualitative Data: Historical and Comparative Research and Oral History / Life History Techniques
12) Analyzing Qualitative Data: Workshop on the use of a computer program (MaxQDA or Atlas.ti) for coding, sorting, and analyzing qualitative data
13) Analyzing Qualitative Data: Workshop continued
14) Writing for Sociologists and Final Discussion

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: Course reader will be given weekly
References: Atlas.ti. Atlas.ti v.5.0 User’s guide and reference. 2004.
Bailey, Kenneth D.. Methods of Social Research. New York: Free Press; London: Collier Macmillan, 1987.
Boeije, Hennie. Analysis in Qualitative Research. London: SAGE, 2010.
Ely, Margot. Ed. Doing Qualitative Research: Circles within Circles. London, NY: Falmer Press, 1991.
Heaton, Janet. Reworking Qualitative Data. London: SAGE, 2004.
Laine, Marlene de. Fieldwork, Participation and Practice. London: SAGE, 2000.
May, Tim. Ed. Qualitative Research in Action. London: SAGE, 2002.
Neuman, Lawrence W.. Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1991.
Silverman, David. Interpreting Qualitative Data: Methods for Analyzing Talk, Text and Interaction. London: SAGE, 2007.
Warren, Carol A.B., and Tracy X. Karner. Discovering Qualitative Methods: Field Research, Interviews, and Analysis. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Weisss, Robert Stuart. Learning from Strangers: The Art and Method of Qualitative Interview Studies. NY: Free Press, 1995.
http://www.qualitative-research.net

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 12 % 7
Laboratory 2 % 3
Field Work 3 % 30
Homework Assignments 2 % 20
Midterms 1 % 10
Final 1 % 30
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 70
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 30
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 14 3 42
Laboratory 2 3 6
Field Work 3 10 30
Study Hours Out of Class 14 3 42
Presentations / Seminar 1 3 3
Homework Assignments 2 5 10
Midterms 1 2 2
Final 1 2 2
Total Workload 137

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) Utilize the wealth of information stored in computer databases to answer basic biological questions and solve problems such as diagnosis and treatment of diseases. 3
2) Acquire an ability to compile and analyze biological information, clearly present and discuss the conclusions, the inferred knowledge and the arguments behind them both in oral and written format. 4
3) Develop critical, creative and analytical thinking skills. 5
4) Develop effective communication skills and have competence in scientific speaking, reading and writing abilities in English and Turkish. 3
5) Gain knowledge of different techniques and methods used in genetics and acquire the relevant laboratory skills. 4
6) Detect biological problems, learn to make hypothesis and solve the hypothesis by using variety of experimental and observational methods. 4
7) Gain knowledge of methods for collecting quantitative and qualitative data and obtain the related skills. 3
8) Conduct research through paying attention to ethics, human values and rights. Pay special attention to confidentiality of information while working with human subjects. 5
9) Obtain basic concepts used in theory and practices of molecular biology and genetics and establish associations between them. 4
10) Search and use literature to improve himself/herself and follow recent developments in science and technology. 5
11) Be aware of the national and international problems in the field and search for solutions. 4