Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2020 - 2021
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Description This is a theoretical and empirical course is designed to introduce students to the qualitative methods and the applied analysis of text and discourse in positivist, critical, postmodern and poststructuralist guises, specifically, the approaches of (1) process tracing (2) content analysis, (3) critical discourse analysis (4) discourse theory and (5) poststructuralist discourse analysis/deconstruction. The course will locate each of the approaches in relation to different epistemological positions and recent developments in empirical research in the social sciences, including politics and international relations. Students will learn to appreciate the advantages and suitability of each approach in application to particular research questions. The course is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Students are expected to attend lectures and contribute to seminar discussions on the theory and practice of each of the five methods. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning Outcomes 1. Identify the key characteristics of each method of (1) process tracing (2) content analysis (3) critical discourse analysis (4) discourse theory and (5) deconstruction 2. Understand the benefits and applicability of each method to particular social science research questions 3. Appreciate the location of each of the methods on an epistemological spectrum 4. Explain the similarities and differences of each method in relation to one another 5. Apply each of the methods to an appropriate social science research question 6. Evaluate the worth of each method in relation to their own PhD research question | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and
Learning Activities Introduction: Advantages and benefits of qualitative methods* Rigour in Qualitative work * Documents and Interviews - your building blocks * Analytical Narrative - more than story tellingProcess-tracingAn assessment the components of process-tracing and how the technique might be appliedProcess-tracing in practiceAn evaluation of examples of process-tracing work in academic journal articlesContent AnalysisAn assessment the components of content analysis and how the technique might be appliedContent Analysis in PracticeAn evaluation of examples of content analysis work in academic journal articlesCritical Discourse AnalysisAn assessment the components of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and how the technique might be appliedCritical Discourse Analysis in PracticeAn evaluation of examples of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) work in academic journal articlesDiscourse Theory and DeconstructionAn assessment the components of discourse theory and deconstruction and how the techniques might be appliedDiscourse Theory and Deconstruction in PracticeAn evaluation of examples of Discourse Theory and Deconstruction in academic journal articlesDiscourse Analysis, Identity and Social ConstructivismAn examination of the different constituent forms and concepts of identity that underpin the latter three discourse analysis approaches within the theoretical paradigm of constructivism | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Programme or List of Programmes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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