Qualitative Methods and Field Work
Code: 104248 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2503710 Geography, Environmental Management and Spatial Planning | OB | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Antonio Miguel Solana Solana
- Email:
- antoniomiguel.solana@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites established for this course.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The objectives of the course are two:
a) The knowledge of the process of organization and development of field work in social sciences and, specifically, its application to the research in territorial and urban planning processes.
b) The knowledge and adequate use of the main qualitative methods of social research: conversation / narration techniques, observation techniques, mixed conversation and observation techniques, visual techniques, cartographic representation techniques and documentary techniques.
Learning Outcomes
- CM25 (Competence) Carry out a basic research project introducing qualitative methodologies: defining the problem, selecting the method, collecting information, and analysing the material using coding systems and internal analysis.
- KM40 (Knowledge) Introduce the main sources of scientific information and documentation related to territorial and environmental processes in a study.
- SM33 (Skill) Apply the methods and techniques of qualitative analysis and fieldwork in the interpretation of spatial and environmental processes.
Content
1. The research process
a) Fases of the research.
b) Objectives/Hipothesis/Research questions
c) Methodological design of the research
d) Field work
e) Analysis of the information
f) Dissemination of results
2. Basic epistemological elements of the social sciences
a) Positivism/postpositivism
b) Hermeneutics
c) Positionality/reflexivity
d) Reliability and validity of the investigation
3. Ethical aspects in social science research.
4. Quantitative-qualitative methodology. Methodological triangulation and combination of methods.
5, Qualitative methodology.
a) Conversation techniques
- Individual interview
- Life stories
- Group interview/Focus group
- Interview with key informants
b) Observation techniques
- Observation
- Participant observation
c) Conversation and observation techniques (Walking interviews)
d) Visual techniques
- Photovoice
- Photo-stimulation, photodocumentation and reflexive photography
e) Cartographic representation techniques
- Mental maps
- Participatory cartography and collective mapping
- Relief maps
f) Documentary techniques
6. Practical aspects of the development of field work
7. CAQDAS (Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software)
8. Analysis of information, preparation of documents and dissemination of results.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Field work | 16 | 0.64 | CM25, KM40, SM33, CM25 |
| Lessons (theory, concepts and methods) | 15 | 0.6 | KM40, SM33, KM40 |
| Workshops | 16 | 0.64 | CM25, SM33, CM25 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Exrecices and research project | 20 | 0.8 | CM25, SM33, CM25 |
| Tutorials | 5 | 0.2 | SM33, SM33 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Personal study, elaboration of reviews and dessign of a qualitative fieldwork project | 75 | 3 | CM25, SM33, CM25 |
Lessons on concepts, theories and methods will be complemented with the design of a qualitative fieldwork applied to a case of territorial/urban planning, which will be coordinated with the Territorial and Environmental Laboratory. This project will allow the students to work professionally on the problems the investigation and the fieldwork. The study and practise of the qualitative methods requires fieldwork on the geographical areas previously selected for the development of the Territorial and Environmental Laboratory.
Reading of basic texts about epistemological reflection, research design and methods will be compulsory.
Process of learning and acquisition of competences will be supervised by the lecturer through individual and/or group tutorials. Lecturers of the courses will be available to the students to solve the doubts and follow the evolution of the mentioned process of learning and acquisition of competences of the students.
All the information used by the lecturer in the theoretical classes and the seminars as well as the different materials elaborated by the students will be available in the Virtual Campus.
The activities that could not be done onsite will be adapted to an online format made available through the UAB’s virtual tools. Exercises, projects and lectures will be carried out using virtual tools such as tutorials, videos, Teams sessions, etc. Lecturers will ensure that students are able to access these virtual tools, or will offer them feasible alternatives.
At the beginning of the course, the teacher will explain the protocol of measures and good practices for field trips.
Note: 15 minutes of a class will be reserved, within the calendar established by the center/degree, for the completion by the students of the surveys to evaluate the performance of the teaching staff and the evaluation of the subject.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complementary exercices, workshops and fieldwork | 30% | 0 | 0 | CM25 |
| Exam | 40% | 3 | 0.12 | KM40, SM33 |
| Research project on a territorial/urban planning case | 30% | 0 | 0 | CM25, SM33 |
The evaluation of the subject will be based on the continuous evaluation of the process of acquisition of knowledge and skills by the student and will consist of:
-1 exam (40% grade)
-Research project with qualitative methods on a territorial/urban planning case. The part corresponding to methodology and field work developed within the diagnosis - case of territorial/urban planning - will be evaluated and coordinated with the Territorial and Environmental Laboratory (30%)
-Complementary exercises, workshops and fieldwork (30%)
The classroom practices (workshops) associated with the completion of the complementary exercises and the research work project are of mandatory attendance. Only students who have completed the corresponding practice in the classroom will be evaluated.
To pass the course, each of the different parts that are part of the assessment process (exam, research project and complementary exercise) must be passed (minimum of 5). The student will receive the grade of "Not assessable" as long as he/she has not passed the exam or more than 2/3 of the assessment activities.
There is a final recovery call for those students who have followed the course and have taken the final exam. To participate in the student's recovery, the weight of those equivalent to a minimum of 2/3 of the total evaluation must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities.
All recovered activities (including the exam) will have a maximum grade of 5.
In the event that the student makes any irregularity (copying, plagiarism, unauthorized used of AI, etc. ) that may lead to a significant variation of the grade in an act of evaluation, this act of evaluation will be rated 0, regardless of the disciplinary process that may be instructed. In the event that several irregularities occur in the acts of evaluation of the same subject, the final grade for this subject will be 0. These activities will not be recoverable.
At the time of each evaluation activity, the teacher will informthe students (moodle) of the procedure and date of revision of the grades.
In case the evaluation activities cannot be done in person, it will adapt its format (keeping the weight) to the possibilities offered by the virtual tools of the UAB and the internet. Homework, activities, class participation and the exam will be done through tutorials,forums, wikis and/or discussions of exercises through Teams, etc. The teacher will ensure that the student can access or offer alternative means thatare within their reach.
This subject/module does not incorporate single assessment.
Bibliography
Ayllón Pino, Bruno (2010), “Consejos prácticos para realizar una buena investigación” in Enara Echart Muñoz, Rhina Cabezas Valencia, José Ángel Sotillo Lorenzo (coords.), Metodología de investigación en cooperación para el desarrollo. Madrid: Catarata, pp. 57-74.
Babbie, Earl (2010, 12è edició), The practise of social research, Wadsworth.
Bryman, Alan (2004), Social research methods (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
Corbetta, Pier Luigi (2007), Metodología y técnicas de investigación social. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.
Cloke, Paul et al (2004), Practising human geography. Londres: Sage
Echart Muñoz, Enara, Cabezas Valencia Rhina, Fernández García, Mercedes (2010) "La estructura del proceso de investigación" in Enara Echart Muñoz, Rhina Cabezas Valencia, José Ángel Sotillo Lorenzo (coords.). Metodología de investigación en cooperación para el desarrollo. Madrid: Catarata, pp. 75-122.
Estruch, Joan (1992), "El conflicte quantitatiu/qualitatiu: un fals problema" a Técniques qualitatives en Ciències Socials. Cicle de conferències, Barcelona: Societat Catalana de Sociologia, pp. 7-16.
Farthing, Stuart (2016), Research design in urban planning. Londres: Sage.
Guasch, Oscar (1997), Observación participante, Madrid: CIS.
Harper, Douglas (2002), "Talking about pictures: a case for photo elicitation", Visual Studies 17(1): pp. 13-26.
Hay, Ian (2016), Qualitative Research Methods in Human Geography, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Pujadas Muñoz, Juan (1992), El método biogràfico: el uso de las historias de vida en cienciassociales, Madrid: Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas.
Quivy, Raymond & Campenhoudt, Louis (2001). Manual de recerca en ciències socials (2a ed.). Barcelona: Herder.
Phillips, Richard & Johns, Jennifer (2012), Fieldwork for Human Geography, Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Rodó, Maria de (2021), Interseccionalitat. Desigualtats, llocs i emocions, Madrid: Tigre de Paper.
Valles, Miguel (1999), Técnicas cualitativas de investigación social. Reflexión metodológica y práctica profesional, Madrid: Síntesis.
Valles, Miguel (2002), Entrevistas cualitativas, Madrid: CIS.
- How to cite and elaborate the bibliography: https://www.uab.cat/web/estudia-i- investiga/com-citar-i-elaborar-la-bibliografia-1345708785665.html".
Software
Qualitative analysis software (CAQDAS): Atlas.Ti (available in the computer rooms of the Faculty of Arts)
Language list
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 11 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 12 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 11 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 12 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |