Qualitative Research PG (10440.1)

Please note these are the 2023 details for this unit
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Qualitative Research PG
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Online self-paced
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Education
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Academic Program Area - Education Post Graduate Level Band 1 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 1 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit provides an introduction to qualitative research relevant to the humanities and social sciences. It provides foundational knowledge of paradigmatic underpinnings of qualitative research. It addresses design principles of qualitative studies, with a specific focus on the collection of verbal, textual, and visual data as well as data analysis techniques. The unit combines a variety of learning opportunities including independent study, group discussions, and practical exercises.

Important Note: This unit is taught with the assumption that students have foundational knowledge of research methods and perspectives. All students will be required to enrol for this unit manually through the waiver process, specifying any past foundational research units they have completed to underpin their ability to understand and assimilate the content of this unit.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding of the paradigmatic underpinnings of qualitative research and how these are associated with research methodology;
2. Critically appraise published peer-reviewed qualitative studies; and
3. Demonstrate understanding of qualitative methods of data collection and analysis.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

11389 Research Methods in Education PG OR 9087 Education Research Perspectives PG

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 Online self-paced Dr Andrew Ross
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Online self-paced Dr Naomi Zouwer
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 Online self-paced Dr Andrew Ross
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Online self-paced Dr Andrew Ross
Not available

Required texts

Key texts:

Tracy, S. J. (2020). Qualitative research methods: Collecting evidence, crafting analysis, communicating impact (2nd ed.). Wiley.

Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R. C., & DeVault., M. (2015). Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods: A Guidebook and Resource (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Both of these texts are available online via the unit reading list in CANVAS.

Additional readings are also listed in the Reading List for the unit in CANVAS.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Whenever possible all assessment items will be submitted online via the unit Canvas site. Standard statement to apply. Where this is not possible, exceptions may be sought from the Faculty Associate Dean Education (ADE).

Approval of extenuating circumstances will be dependent upon the production of supporting documentation and at the discretion of the unit convener.

All assessment items required to be submitted online must be submitted via the appropriate Canvas drop box. It is the student's responsibility to upload the correct and corresponding draft or assessment item to the right submission section. Assignments must be submitted in a format accessible to the assessor(s), as stated on the relevant canvas site. If the unit convener and/or tutor are unable to access a submission, or if no submission has been made by the due date and time, a standard late penalty of 10% of the total marks possible for the task may be applied per day, for three days, after which the submission will receive a score of ‘0' in keeping with UC's Assessment Policy.

Artificial Intelligence

Students are not allowed to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit.

Special assessment requirements

Normally an aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the unit.

Self-paced study

This is an online unit that allows you to study in your own time. The course content is designed in weekly blocks that do not require you to attend any timetabled activities unless specifically stated. There may be optional timetabled activities to further support your learning that you can choose to attend. Assessment deadlines will apply.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

This unit will require students to engage in independent learning. Course materials such as weekly video lectures with examples, Powerpoint slides, readings, and other resources will be made available in the CANVAS site. Optional check-in sessions will be conducted fortnightly to provide an opportunity for students to pose any questions and for the lecturer to provide additional content and clarification.

Indicative workload for this unit:

  • Individual study and engagement with online material: 90 hours
  • Assessment work: 60 hours

Participation requirements

Your participation and engagement in both synchronous and asynchronous sessions and online activities will enhance your understanding of the unit content and therefore the quality of your assessment responses. Lack of participation may result in your inability to satisfactorily pass assessment items.

Active engagement in all online modules enhances your learning and is strongly advised. Unless specifically stated in the unit outline, there is no mandatory attendance requirement. However, you may elect to attend timetabled activities, as they allow you to ask 'real time' questions to develop your understanding for the relevant assessment tasks.

Required IT skills

This unit is delivered online in an asynchronous manner. Thus, in order to engage with the content and meet all unit requirements, it is essential to have consistent and reliable computer and internet access. 

The unit does involve some online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality, we recomment a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room;. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

In-unit costs

The required texts for this unit are available from UC Library and via the unit reading list. Students who wish to purchase a copy may do so.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

This unit places an emphasis on theoretical foundations of qualitative research and their practical application.