INF 5220 (previously called INF-QUAL), Autumn 2004
Qualitative Research Methods, Graduate Seminar
- Judith Gregory, judithg@ifi.uio.no
Systemarbeid, IFI, http://www.ifi.uio.no/~judithg/
Office: Forksningsparken II, Room 4-380
- Jennifer Blechar, jennifjb@ifi.uio.no
Systemarbeid, IFI, http://www.ifi.uio.no/~jennifjb/
Office: Forksningsparken, Room 109-FP
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The course will meet Thursdays, 9:15 to 12:00, Room 208, Forsksingsparken II
Please note that for some sessions, the day and time will be changed.
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The seminar will be given in English.
Objectives:
 To provide an understanding of research issues and skills in qualitative research methods
that can be used in masters and doctoral thesis work and in system development projects.
 To gain experience in qualitative research methods in the field, carrying out initial
observations in projects relevant to domains of students’ interests (e.g., health
information systems, GIS, software design and development, on-line distance learning,
“virtual teamwork” in international collaborations).
 To learn about an object of inquiry from multiple perspectives (cross-cultural, multidisciplinary, multi-professional perspectives), by participating in working groups for the
field research section of the course, and from qualitative methods that highlight the
varying perspectives of different actors (in the field).
 To gain introductory experience in analysis, interpretation, and writing based on field
data.
Contents:
 Action research, case study, ethnographic research, grounded theory.
 Interviews, observational techniques, video documentation.
 Analysis of interactions; analysis of field observations, materials, and field notes;
analysis of texts.
Exam: Each student is required to write an individual written report.
The written report can be:
(1) A masters or doctoral research proposal (working draft), in which your discussion of
methods is included;
(2) A discussion of methods as a working draft for the methods chapter of your masters or
doctoral thesis; or
(3) A reflective essay about qualitative research methods in relation to your on-going
practice in information systems design and development.
Required textbooks: Please note that these are new textbooks as of 2003; a different textbook
was used for the course in 2002 (Meyers and Avison, 2002).
Creswell, John W. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches,
2nd Edition. London: Sage, 2003.
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Silverman, David. Interpreting Qualitative Data: Methods for Analysing Talk, Text and
Interaction, 2nd Edition. London: Sage, 2001.
The books will be available at Akademika soon.
Welcome!
INF-QUAL is a hands-on, introductory course. The course has three sections: introduction to
methods and modes of qualitative and interpretive research; field research experience in projects
relevant to domains of interest to you; and introduction to analysis, interpretation, and writing
based on qualitative research. Each of you will join a working group as a base for working
cooperatively to make sense of each other's data and for the field research in the middle section
of the course. IFI faculty will help you to identify and arrange for access to field sites; you and
your working group are responsible for making contact, scheduling appointments, coordination
and follow-up communication. We will read some of the theoretical material in qualitative
research, but the primary emphasis of the class is "learning by doing." Also, the emphasis of the
course will be on learning to interview, observe, and gather and synthesize material. While we
will cover the rudiments of analysis of qualitative material, more extensive training is required
for advanced analysis. Recommendations for further reading will be provided, as resources for
your future use.
Qualitative research methods – core references & working bibliography
Please note that I will update this working bibliography throughout the semester
Textbooks for INF 5220, Autumn 2003 -- Available at Akademika.
Creswell, John W. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches,
2nd Edition. London: Sage, 2003.
Silverman, David. Interpreting Qualitative Data: Methods for Analysing Talk, Text and
Interaction, 2nd Edition. London: Sage, 2001.
Additional textbooks for PhD students following the course -- Available at Akademika
Highly recommended as core resources for all students taking the course.
Alvesson, Mats and Sköldberg, Kaj. Reflexive Methodology: New Vistas for Qualitative
Research. London: Sage Publications, 2000/2003.
Coffey, Amanda and Atkinson, Paul. Making Sense of Qualitative Data: Complementary
Research Strategies. Thousand Oaks, CA USA: Sage Publications, 1996.
Myers, M.D. and Avison, D.E. (eds.) Qualitative Research in Information Systems: A Reader.
Sage Publications, London, 2002.
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Also see the web page, “Qualitative Research in Information Systems,” edited by
Michael Myers, http://www.qual.auckland.ac.nz/.
Silverman, David (ed.). Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice. London: Sage
Publications, 1997/1998.
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