University of Toronto Mississauga Sociology SOC387 H5S Qualitative Analysis I Mondays 11 AM to 1 PM IB 250

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1 University of Toronto Mississauga Sociology SOC387 H5S Qualitative Analysis I Mondays 11 AM to 1 PM IB 250 Instructor Information Instructor: Matt Patterson Office location: DV-3208C Office Phone #: address: matt.patterson@utoronto.ca Office hours: Mondays 1:30 to 3:30 PM Course web site: portal.utoronto.ca Teaching Assistant: James Braun Course Description This course provides a detailed overview of some of the most common types of qualitative research methods used in sociology. Not only will you be learning about these methods, you will also get a chance to use them for yourselves. Throughout the term you will propose and then conduct a qualitative research project on a topic of your choice. The project will require you to formulate a research question, review existing literature on the topic, design and conduct original qualitative research, and analyze the resulting data in order to provide an answer to your question. Throughout the term we will be learning about each of these steps and reading several examples of qualitative research to help you design your own project. In addition to becoming familiar with the use of qualitative methods, you will also learn how to read and evaluate sociological research, and become familiar with the major theoretical perspectives on qualitative sociology, including ethical issues involved in studying other people. Prerequisites o SOC100H5 (Introduction to Sociology) o SOC221H5 (The Logic of Social Inquiry) Note: Students without these prerequisites will be removed from the course at any time discovered and without notice (unless you have made prior arrangements with the instructor and sociology department). Goals and Learning Outcomes The ultimate goal of this course is that you learn how to evaluate qualitative sociological work and how to conduct a qualitative research project. To achieve this, you will have to:

2 Understand the major theoretical approaches to qualitative analysis. Understand the differences between various qualitative methods, their relative strengths and weaknesses, and how they should be deployed in research. Understand the ethical dilemmas of qualitative research. Learn how to develop research questions that can be answered through qualitative methodologies. Learn how to gather and analyze data by conducting in-class and out-of-class research exercises. Learn how to write a research report that uses original research to coherently and persuasively answer a research question. Develop a familiarity with academic literature and an ability to evaluate the major claims made in journal articles and book chapters. Textbooks and Other Materials A course reader is available at the campus bookstore. Additional online readings will be available on Portal. On some weeks I have suggested optional (but useful) chapters from the textbook Qualitative Methods in Social Research by Kristin G. Esterberg. This book is available in the course reserves at the library (H62.E ). Evaluation Components and Grading Policies Type Date Due Weight Research Proposal February 10 20% Term Test March 17 25% Data Analysis March 24 5% (Pass/Fail) Research Paper March 31 35% Participation 15% Grading Research Project The research project will involve three separate assignments. First you will write a research proposal (5 pages) outlining your project for the term. After completing your research and analyzing your data, you will hand in a record of your analysis (pass/fail). Finally, the research paper (15 pages max) will be due at the end of the term. This paper will involve an introduction that lays out your research question and main findings, a literature review, a discussion of your methods, a summary of your data analysis, and a conclusion that relates your findings back to the literature. More information on these assignments will be made available throughout the term. Page 2 of 11

3 Term Test A final test will be held during class time on March 21 st. The test will examine your knowledge of the material presented in lecture and in the readings (up to and including Lecture #9 on March 10 th ). More information on the specific types of questions will be made available later in the term. Participation Your participation grade will be based on (1) participation in class discussions during lecture, (2) participation in the Portal course readings forum, and (3) handing in written work from any workshops done in lecture. A bonus participation grade is available to those who present their research projects on the last class. Lecture Format The lectures will provide separate, but complementary information to the course readings. Most weeks your readings will be actual sociological papers. They will provide you with an example of the end product of qualitative research. The lectures, on the other hand, will offer a how to guide to qualitative research. Lectures will cover topics such as which methods are better for which types of questions, what steps are involved in conducting an ethnography, or how to analyze interview transcripts. Most lectures will also have a workshop component that is aimed to help you with your research project. These workshops will allow you to practice skills such as interviewing, discourse analysis, or brainstorming research questions. Course Schedule PART I: INTRODUCTION TO QUALITATIVE RESEARCH January 6 Lecture #1: Introduction to Course Course overview What is Qualitative Research and why do it? Workshop: In-class interviews January 13 Lecture #2: What is Qualitative Research? Overview of the basic theories and approaches to qualitative research Overview of the methods discussed in the course Workshop: Brainstorming research questions Harding, Beginning the Study (Reader) Small, How Many Cases do I Need? (Portal) Page 3 of 11

4 January 20 Lecture #3: Ethics and Access The positionality of the researcher Research ethics in practice Getting access to your site/participants Workshop: Critical reading (Academic Skills Centre presentation) Smith, The Conceptual Practices of Power: A Feminist Sociology of Knowledge (Reader) Taylor and Patterson, Autonomy and Compliance: How Qualitative Sociologists Respond to Institutional Ethical Oversight (Portal) Optional Readings: Esterberg, Chapter 3: Ethics PART II: DOING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH January 27 Lecture # 4: Ethnography and Observation The history and uses of ethnographic research Choosing a site to observe Taking field notes Workshop: Going out into the field Duneier, Sidewalk (Reader) Haney, Homeboys, Babies, Men in Suits: The State and the Reproduction of Male Dominance (Portal) Optional Readings: Esterberg, Chapters 4: Observation Sidewalk, The Film (Parts 1 to 3 of 8): (Online video) Page 4 of 11

5 February 3 Lecture # 5: Interviews and Focus Groups Small-N research methods Formulating questions Workshop: Picking the right method for the right question Howarth, So, you re from Brixton? : The Struggle for Recognition and Esteem in Stigmatized Community. (Portal) Foster and Taylor, In the Shadows: Exploring the Notion of Community for Temporary Foreign Workers in a Boom Town. (Portal) Optional Readings: Esterberg, Chapters 5: Interviews On the Move to Fort McMurray, CBC Ideas Podcast: February 10 Lecture #6: Discourse and Artifact Analysis RESEARCH PROPOSAL DUE What is discourse anyway? The pros and cons of studying people indirectly Workshop: Analyzing the media Johnston and Taylor, Feminist Consumerism and Fat Activists: A Comparative Study of Grassroots Activism and Dove Real Beauty Campaign (Portal) Feminist Frequency, Damsel in Distress, (Online video) Optional Readings: Esterberg, Chapters 6: Unobtrusive Measures February 17 Reading Week NO CLASS February 24 Lecture #7: Historical Analysis Studying social phenomena over the long term Workshop: Difficulties and dilemmas in the field Zukin, How Brooklyn Became Cool (Reader) Kramer, Moral Panics and Urban Growth Machines: Official Reactions to Graffiti in New York City, (Portal) Page 5 of 11

6 PART III: ANALYZING AND REPORTING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH March 3 Lecture #8: Analysis (Part 1) Inductive analysis Coding and memo techniques Workshop: Making sense of your data Esterberg, Chapter 8: Making Sense of Data (Reader) March 10 Lecture #9: Analysis (Part 2) Interpreting and evaluating research findings Narrative analysis techniques Workshop: Review for term test Esterberg, Chapter 9: Narrative Analysis (Reader) March 17 TERM TEST March 24 Writing and Publishing Your Research DATA ANALYSIS DUE How to write up your research for specific audiences Workshop: Review and preparation for final research paper Esterberg, Chapter 10: Writing About Research (Reader) March 31 Presenting Your Research RESEARCH PAPER DUE Opportunity to present your research to the class (optional) Note: Every attempt will be made to follow this schedule, but it is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Page 6 of 11

7 Procedures and Rules 1. Missed tests and assignments Accommodation provision: In general, for missed tests or assignments the Sociology Department follows UTM policy about accommodation for the following three reasons: Illness, or Religious observances (i.e., holy days), or o igiousobservances.htm Other unplanned circumstances entirely beyond the student s control (e.g., a court subpoena for which you have no option except to show up, a funeral). Reasons such as too much work, technology failure, weddings, family vacations, or not adding the class in time, are not compelling reasons. For assignments, you are expected to plan ahead. Documentation: In all cases, appropriate supporting documentation is required (e.g., Verification of Student Injury or Illness form available at: a death certificate, an accident report). You must also declare your absence on ROSI. 1a. Missed tests Students who miss the term test will be assigned a mark of zero for that test unless they satisfy the following conditions: Students who miss the test for reasons beyond their control (e.g. illness or an accident) may request that the Department grant them special consideration. You must present your case to the DEPARTMENT (not the instructor) by completing an online Special Consideration Request form at: Original supporting documentation (e.g. Verification of Student Injury or Illness form, accident report) is to be brought to Joanna Trochanowski, Undergraduate Assistant in the Sociology Department, Room 3220, Davis Building or submitted in the drop-box located outside the Sociology office. The verification of Student Injury or Illness form MUST include the statement This student was unable to write the test on the date(s) for medical reasons. Documentation MUST show that the physician was consulted within ONE day of the test. A statement merely confirming a report of illness made by the student is NOT acceptable. Page 7 of 11

8 Deadlines: You have up to one (1) week from the date of the missed test (March 17 th, 2014) to submit your request and supporting documentation. (Late requests will NOT be considered without a letter of explanation as to why the request is late.) Nature of accommodation: If your Request is APPROVED, you will write the make-up test on April 8 th, 2014 at 12:00 PM in room KN 137. If a student has a conflict with another class, or two tests to make-up, they may take the second make-up during the second time slot of the same date (April 8 th ). No student is automatically entitled to a second make-up test In the extraordinary and unlikely event you miss both the test and the department s makeup test scheduled for that semester, for a reason beyond your control, you will have to petition the office of the registrar for an extension of time to complete term work. If the petition is granted, you will write on the next scheduled department make-up date. 1b. Late assignments You are expected to complete assignments on time. In order not to be considered late, assignments must be submitted by the due date on the syllabus in hard copy at the beginning of class AND through blackboard. You are expected to keep a back-up, hard copy of your assignment in case it is lost. Students who cannot turn in the assignment on time, due to a reason beyond their control (e.g. illness, death, accident) may request special consideration by presenting the documentation to the INSTRUCTOR. Documentation: The Verification of Student Injury or Illness form MUST state that you were ill on the due date of the assignment for a one day extension. For a longer extension you must prove that you were sick during a longer period or prove an exceptional, unforeseen circumstance. In the extraordinary and unlikely event your documentation indicates that you are too ill to make-up an assignment within the term, you will have to petition the office of the registrar for an extension of time to complete term work. Late assignments for reasons that are within your control will be penalized 10% per day. Page 8 of 11

9 The penalty will run from the day the assignment was due until the day it is submitted electronically via Blackboard; you are still required to submit a hard copy at the next class/office hour. The electronic copy must be identical to any hard copy submitted. The penalty period includes weekends and holidays. Late assignments should be submitted to Blackboard, not the department office staff or other instructors and NOT by Multiple tests on the same day The department will accommodate students writing tests scheduled in more than two Sociology courses on the same day, provided the student contacts the department about this issue one week in advance of the test date. The student will be permitted to write the last test of the day at the next scheduled departmental make-up date. 3. Grade appeals: Instructors and teaching assistants take the marking of assignments very seriously, and will work diligently to be fair, consistent, and accurate. Nonetheless, mistakes and oversights occasionally happen. If you believe that to be the case, you must adhere to the following rules: If it is a mathematical error simply alert the TA of the error. In the case of more substantive appeals, you must: 1. Wait at least 24 hours after receiving your mark. 2. Carefully re-read your assignment, all assignment guidelines and marking schemes and the grader s comments. 3. You have 30 days after receiving a mark to appeal it. If you wish to appeal: A. You must submit to the instructor a written explanation of why you think your mark should be altered. Please note statements such as I need a higher grade to apply to X are not compelling. Also, please note that upon re-grade your mark may go down, stay the same, or go up. B. Attach to your written explanation your original assignment, including all of the original comments. Submit a hardcopy of the package to the instructor during office hours or at the end of class. 4. Electronic communication and electronic learning technology: communication is rapid, convenient, and efficient and you are encouraged to use it to enhance your learning and experience in the course. With that said, it is essential that you follow a few rules: Assignments will not be accepted via . See above for how to submit them. All course communication should be conducted through Blackboard or your utoronto account. Page 9 of 11

10 All s must include the course code (e.g., SOC 123) in the subject line. All s should be signed with the student s full name and student number. s from students will generally be answered within one work day of receipt. Treat s as you would any other professional communication. s that ask questions that are answered in the course syllabus or website (e.g., how much is assignment X worth ) will not receive a response. s that do not follow these guidelines will not receive a response. 5. Classroom etiquette: Students are expected to arrive at class on time. Laptop usage is allowed in class, but should be used for notes only. Other uses (e.g., ing, web surfing) will result in the student s being required to turn off the laptop and it may affect your participation mark. Videotaping and recording lectures is strictly forbidden without written permission from the instructor. 6. Academic integrity: Copying, plagiarizing, falsifying medical certificates, or other forms of academic misconduct will not be tolerated. Any student caught engaging in such activities will be referred to the Dean s office for adjudication and punishment. Any student abetting or otherwise assisting in such misconduct will also be subject to academic penalties. By enrolling in this course, students agree to abide by the university s rules regarding academic conduct, as outlined in the Calendar. You are expected to have read and understood the on-line document How Not to Plagiarize ( You are expected to be familiar with the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters ( and Code of Student Conduct ( which spell out your rights, your duties and provide all the details on grading regulations and academic offences at the University of Toronto. Normally, students will be required to submit their course essays to Turnitin.com for a review of textual similarity and detection of possible plagiarism. In doing so, students will allow their essays to be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database, where they will be used solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. The terms that apply to the University's use of the Turnitin.com service are described on the Turnitin.com web site. 7. Student resources: AccessAbility Centre. We take seriously our obligation to make this course as welcoming and accessible as feasible for students with diverse needs. Students are encouraged to registrar with the Centre (and, if appropriate, alert the instructor) as early in the term as possible. In many instances it is easier to arrange certain accommodations with more advance notice, so we Page 10 of 11

11 strongly encourage you to act as quickly as possible. With that said we understand that disabilities can change over time and will do our best to accommodate you. Students seeking support must have an intake interview with a disability advisor to discuss their individual needs. To schedule a registration appointment with a disability advisor, please call the Centre at or at: access.utm@utoronto.ca. See also The Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre offers workshops, seminars and individual appointments to help students identify and develop their skills. It is located in Rm 390 of the Library, online at and can be reached at (905) A variety of other student resources can be found on the UTM website under Current Students, including academic services, registrar and registration services, diversity & equity, administrative services, and others. Page 11 of 11