Logo UAB
2020/2021

Qualitative Research Methods in Criminology

Code: 100451 ECTS Credits: 6
Degree Type Year Semester
2500257 Criminology OB 3 1
The proposed teaching and assessment methodology that appear in the guide may be subject to changes as a result of the restrictions to face-to-face class attendance imposed by the health authorities.

Contact

Name:
Lluís Sáez Giol
Email:
Lluis.Saez@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
catalan (cat)
Some groups entirely in English:
No
Some groups entirely in Catalan:
Yes
Some groups entirely in Spanish:
No

Other comments on languages

If there are foreign students, the teaching will be taught in Spanish.

Prerequisites

It is highly recommended to have passed the subject "Scientific Research in Criminology".

Objectives and Contextualisation

- To understand the epistemological foundations of qualitative social research.

- To know how to use qualitative methods in criminological research

- To know how to to use qualitative data collection techniques.

- To know how to use content analysis methods.

- To know how to use the qualitative software program Atlas-TI

Competences

  • Ability to analyse and summarise.
  • Applying the quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques in the criminological field.
  • Clearly explaining and arguing a carried out analysis about a conflict or crime problem and its responses in front of specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  • Designing a criminological research and identifying the appropriate methodological strategy to the proposed goals.
  • Drawing up an academic text.
  • Formulating research hypothesis in the criminological field.
  • Using research methods in social sciences in order to diagnose criminality problems.
  • Verbally transmitting ideas to an audience.
  • Working autonomously.
  • Working in teams and networking.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Ability to analyse and summarise.
  2. Applying the quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques in the criminological field.
  3. Choosing the appropriate research methodology in criminological works.
  4. Designing criminological research projects with well-drawn hypothesis.
  5. Diagnosing a criminal process through the scientific method.
  6. Drawing up an academic text.
  7. Transmitting in a reasoned manner the results of a criminological research.
  8. Verbally transmitting ideas to an audience.
  9. Working autonomously.
  10. Working in teams and networking.

Content

1. Basics of qualitative methodology.

1.1. Epistemological issues in Social Sciences.

1.2. Genesis and evolution of the hermeneutic perspective.

1.3. Basic features and types of qualitative methods.

1.4. Axiological issues.

2. Designing a qualitative research.

2.1. Foundations of the analysis model.

2.2. Delimitation of the field of analysis, sampling and recruitment.

2.3. Socioestructural saturation and informative saturation.

3. Techniques applied to the interaction of groups.

3.1. The sociometric approach.

3.2. Participant observation.

3.3. Not-participant observation.

4. Techniques for narratives: interview and group discussion.

4.1. Types of interviews.

4.2. Group discussion

5. Technique of biographical stories.

5.1. Types of stories.

5.2. The life history.

6. The content analysis.

6.1. Basics.

6.2. Coding and analysis units.

6.3. Axes interpretation of the data.

6.4. The treatment of qualitative data through Atlas-TI.

Methodology

Statement: Teaching will be mixed: lectures will be online and seminars face-to-face.

The achievement of the competences of the course  will be provided through the  following activities:

- Lectures.

- Practical seminars, to complement and deepen the contents of lectures, as well as to make a practical application of them.

- Workshops to learn how to use  computer tools.

- Supplementary work activities inside and outside the classroom, including: 

    a) Basic readings.

    b) Practical exercices (evaluable and non-evaluable).

    c) A group work oriented to apply the contents of the subject.

All practical exercises will be reviewed and commented by the teacher. There will be regular tutorials with the teacher regarding group work.

Attendance at a minimum of 80% of the classes, both to lectures and seminars, is mandatory.

In the Virtual Campus, from the beginning of the course, the schedule of the sessions of the classrom will appear.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Lectures 19.5 0.78 2, 5, 4, 3, 1
Practical exercises and simulation of cases. 19.5 0.78 2, 5, 4, 3, 1, 7, 8, 9, 10
Type: Autonomous      
Readings, analysis and synthesis of the material. 60 2.4 2, 1, 9
Work group 46 1.84 2, 5, 4, 3, 6, 1, 7, 9, 10

Assessment

Parts of the evaluation:

- Final exam: 50%

- Group work: 40%

- Evaluable practical exercises (between 5 and 7): 10%

To pass the subject a minimum average mark of 5 is required. However, in order to pass a minimum of 4 out of 10 is required in each part of the evaluation. 

If students fail in group work or in the exam they  will have a chance of reassessment, but in case of passing the maximum mark will be 5 out 10.

If unexcused o excused out of time absences (two weeks from the absence) exceed 20% of the total number of seminar classes,  students will not be evaluated. Only absences due to illness, due to force majeure, or for academic reasons previously authorized by the teaching staff will be justified.

Students who cheat during the exam will get a fail mark (with a note=0), loosing the possibility of recuperation.

In case of plagiarism in the writing of works, each case will be evaluated and in the extreme or reiterative case the option of direct fail without option to reassessment will be considered.

Classes start on time. Late arrival is not admitted.

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Group work 40% 0 0 2, 5, 4, 3, 6, 1, 7, 9, 10
Individual examination 50% 5 0.2 2, 5, 1, 9
Practical exercises 10% 0 0 2, 5, 4, 3, 1, 8, 9, 10

Bibliography

Mandatory Bibliography:

Valles, Miguel S. (1997). Técnicas cualitativas de investigación social. Reflexión metodológica y práctica profesional. Madrid: Síntesis.

Navarro, P.; Díaz, Capitolina (1994). Análisis de contenido. A Delgado, J.M.; Gutiérrez, J. (Eds.), Métodos y técnicas cualitativas de investigación en ciencias sociales (pp. 177-224). Madrid: Síntesis.

Recommended Bibliography:

Aguirre, A. (Ed.) (1995). Etnografía. Metodología en la investigación sociocultural. Barcelona: Editorial Boixareu Universitaria. 

Altheide, D. L.; Johnson, J. M. (1994). Criteria for Assessing Interpretative Validity in Qualitative Research. A Denzin, N.K.; Lincoln, Y.S. (Eds.), Handbook of Qualitative Research (pp. 485-499). Thousand Oaks (California): Sage.

Alvira, F. (1983). Perspectiva cualitativa-perspectiva cuantitativa en la metodología sociológica. Revista Española de Investigaciones Sociológica, (22), pp. 53-75.

Bardin, L. (1986). El análisis de contenido. Madrid. Akal. 

Bertaux, D. (2005). Los relatos de vida. Perspectiva etnosociológica. Barcelona: Edicions Bellaterra.

Boyatzis, R. E. (1998). Transforming qualitative information: thematic analysis and code development. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.

Callejo, J. (2001). El grupo de discusión: Introducción a una práctica de investigación.  Madrid: Ariel.

Clemente, M. (Ed.) (1992). Psicología social: métodos y técnicas de investigación. Madrid, Eudema.

Coffey, Amanda;Atkinson, P. (2005). Encontrar el sentido alos datos cualitativos. Alicante: Universidad de Alicante. 

Delgado, J.M.; Gutiérrez, J. (Eds.) (1994). Métodos y técnicas cualitativas de investigación en ciencias sociales. Madrid: Síntesis.

Flick, U. (2004). Introducción a la investigación cualitativa. Madrid: Morata.

García Jorba, J.M. (2000). Diarios de campo. Madrid: CIS.

Huber, G. L. (2003). Introducción al análisis de datos cualitativos. A Medina, A.; Castillo, S. (coord.): Metodología para la realización de Proyectos de Investigacion y Tesis Doctorales. Madrid: Universitas.

Ibáñez, J. (1985). Análisis sociológico de textos y discursos. Revista internacional de sociología, 43 (1), pp. 119-160.

Krueger, R.A. (1991). El grupo de discusión. Guía práctica para la investigación aplicada. Madrid: Pirámide.

Pujadas, J.J. (1992). Método biográfico: El uso de las historias de vida en ciencias sociales. Madrid: CIS.

Quivy, R.; Van Campenhoudt, L. (1997). Manual de recerca en ciències socials. Barcelona: Herder.

Rodríguez Gómez, G.; Gil Flores, J.; García Jiménez, E. (1996). Metodología de la investigación cualitativa. Archidona (Málaga): Ediciones Aljibe.

Ruiz Olabuénaga, J.I. (1996). Metodología de la investigación cualitativa. Bilbao: Universidad de Deusto.

Taylor, S.J.; Bogdan, R. (1992). Introducción a los métodos cualitativos de investigación. La búsqueda de significados. Barcelona: Paidós.

Trinidad, A.; Carrero, Virginia; Soriano, Rosa Mª (2006). Teoría fundamentada “Grounded Theory”. La construcción de la teoría a través del análisis interpretacional. Madrid: CIS.

Valles, M.S. (2002). Entrevistas cualitativas. Madrid: CIS.