This course provides a broad overview of the theory of qualitative research, and examines the basic skills involved in the application of these methods in social research, demography and population studies. Qualitative methods are defined, and their uses and limitations explored. Qualitative methods are compared with quantitative methods, and approaches to the integration of qualitative data are reviewed. Strong emphasis is given to practical exercises in the collection, analysis and reporting of qualitative data. In analysing textual data, the use of NVivo will be introduced.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- critically evaluate qualitative research paradigms and justify methodological choices within a coherent research design;
- design and implement qualitative data collection strategies using interviews, focus groups, observation, and/or creative and community-based methods;
- begin to apply recognised qualitative analytic approaches to interpret data and generate meaningful, theoretically informed insights;
- demonstrate reflexive and ethical practice across qualitative data collection across many contexts; and
- understand data gathering and data analysis in qualitative research; management and analysis of qualitative data; and how to write up the results of qualitative research.
Work Integrated Learning
Other
Indicative Assessment
- Scoping report (1,500 words) (15) [LO 1,4,5]
- Data collection portfolio (2,000 words) (30) [LO 1,2,4]
- Research portfolio (3,000 words) (35) [LO 1,3,4,5]
- Class participation and online discussion forum (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of workshop and workshop-like activities.
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Flick, U. (2022). The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research Design
This resource is freely available online from the ANU library. Please do not purchase this!
Preliminary Reading
Berg, L.B. 2004. Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences, Fifth Edition Allyn and Bacon, USA;Denzin, N.K. and Y.S. Lincoln. 1998. ‘Introduction: Entering the Field of Qualitative Research’, in N.K. Denzin and Y.S. Lincoln (eds.), Strategies of Qualitative Inquiry, Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $4500 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $5820 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2800 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |