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Advanced methodology course: Battle of Words: Qualitative strategies for computer-based document analysis

Semester
E2021
Subject
Global Studies * / International Development Studies * / International Public Administration and Politics * / Politics and Administration * / Public Administration *
Activitytype
master course
Teaching language
English
Registration

You register for activities through stads selvbetjening during the announced registration period, which you can see on the Study administration homepage.

When registering for courses, please be aware of the potential conflicts and overlaps between course and exam time and dates. The planning of course activities at Roskilde University is based on the recommended study programmes, which should not overlap. However, if you choose optional courses and/or study plans that goes beyond the recommended study programmes, an overlap of lectures or exam dates may occur depending on which courses you choose.

In case of too few registrations, the course will be cancelled.

Detailed description of content

Politics can be understood as a struggle over influence with words rather than physical force. Different actors use documents for the purposes such as regulation, to underpin their actions, to demand documentation for claims made in the public debate or for decisions made by public authorities. As a result, documents are produced by international organisations, public authorities, political parties, interest groups, NGOs, private companies, media, think tanks, citizens and other actors.

Document analysis is already a commonly applied approach in the social sciences. Many theories, including theories of institutional change, decision-making, and discourse typically include documents as sources. Likewise, a number of research methods including content analysis, grounded theory, argumentation analysis, and the analysis of ideas also uses documents. Finally, a range of different types of documents including laws, reports, newspaper articles and communications are available through the internet and elsewhere. With increased digitalisation, skills in collecting and analysing documents in a reliable manner is like to be in increasing demand in the future.

The course develops students’ knowledge of and skills in applying qualitative methods to analyse documents. The course focuses particularly on how computer-assisted document analysis can provide a basis for transparent, structured, and well-presented document analyses. To this end, the course considers the selection and sampling of documents, different approaches to coding and analysing documents as well as different ways of presenting document analysis in research and student reports.

In the course we will use the software program NVivo, which is available on RUCs intranet. Prior knowledge of NVivo or similar software is not a requirement for taking the course. Knowledge of basic social science methodologies and methods is a requirement for taking the course.

Expected work effort (ECTS-declaration)

Reading of course literature and preparation for course lectures - 70 hours Attending lectures - 20 hours Student exercises and preparation of presentations - 15 hours Exam - 30 hours Total - 135 hours

Course material and Reading list

Course textbook: Bazeley, Pat and Jackson, Kristi (2019): Qualitative data analysis with Nvivo. 3rd ed. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.

Evaluation- and feedback forms

There will be an opportunity to get oral feedback on the exercises and discussions in class. Participants can expect to have collective feedback on the written exams (as a whole), as well as the opportunity for oral feedback in person for the individual written exams.

Administration of exams
ISE Studyadministration (ise-studyadministration@ruc.dk)
Responsible for the activity
Jesper Dahl Kelstrup (kelstrup@ruc.dk)
Martin Bæk Carstensen (marbcar@ruc.dk)
ECTS
5
Learning outcomes and assessment criteria
  • Knowledge and understanding:

    Knowledge and understanding of academic and/or scientifically based practice-oriented methods and their application and relevance on an advanced level

  • Being able to communicate and discuss academic and/or scientifically based practice-oriented studies in a type of language that is correct, clear, professionally accurate, well-structured and well-argued

  • Skills:

    Carrying out studies and analyses with the aid of academic and/or scientifically based practice-oriented methods

  • Evaluating and selecting methods from research-related and professional practices

  • Competences:

    Co-operation with colleagues in the application of various academic and/or scientifically based practice-oriented methods and forms of analysis in relation to relevant issues in research-related and professional contexts

  • Reflection on one’s own learning and taking responsibility for one’s own professional development

Overall content
  • Research and professional premises for academic and scientifically based practice-oriented analyses

  • Approaches to the use of academic and/or scientifically based practice-oriented tools in research and professional contexts, respectively

Teaching and working methods

Lectures, exercises, student presentations, peer feedback and discussions. The course requires that the students contribute and participate actively.

Type of activity

Elective course

Form of examination
Individual written take-home assignment given by the lecturer.

The character limit of the assignment is: maximum  24,000 characters, including spaces.
The character limit includes the cover, table of contents, bibliography, figures and other illustrations, but exclude any appendices.

The duration of the take-home assignment is 14 days and may include weekends and public holidays.


Assessment: 7-point grading scale.
Form of Re-examination
Samme som ordinær eksamen / same form as ordinary exam
Exam code(s)
Exam code(s) : U41556
Last changed 29/03/2021

lecture list:

Show lessons for Subclass: 1 Find calendar (1) PDF for print (1)

Wednesday 08-09-2021 08:15 - 08-09-2021 12:00 in week 36
A battle of words - qualitative strategies for computer-based document analysis (GS, IDS, IPAP, PF, POL)

Wednesday 15-09-2021 08:15 - 15-09-2021 12:00 in week 37
A battle of words - qualitative strategies for computer-based document analysis (GS, IDS, IPAP, PF, POL)

Wednesday 22-09-2021 08:15 - 22-09-2021 12:00 in week 38
A battle of words - qualitative strategies for computer-based document analysis (GS, IDS, IPAP, PF, POL)

Wednesday 29-09-2021 08:15 - 29-09-2021 12:00 in week 39
A battle of words - qualitative strategies for computer-based document analysis (GS, IDS, IPAP, PF, POL)

Wednesday 06-10-2021 08:15 - 06-10-2021 12:00 in week 40
A battle of words - qualitative strategies for computer-based document analysis (GS, IDS, IPAP, PF, POL)

Monday 11-10-2021 10:00 - Monday 25-10-2021 10:00 in week 41 to week 43
A battle of words - qualitative strategies for computer-based document analysis - Exam (GS, IDS, IPAP, PF, POL)

Monday 14-02-2022 10:00 - Monday 28-02-2022 10:00 in week 07 to week 09
A battle of words - qualitative strategies for computer-based document analysis - Reexam (GS, IDS, IPAP, PF, POL)