MEVIT4812 – Qualitative Methodology in media studies
Course description
Course content
This course teaches master students in media studies how to apply qualitative methods, such as interviews and focus groups, qualitative content analysis, and ethnographic observations. The course is practically oriented and, although it also covers important key concepts in research, it focuses on what they mean and where they fit in the actual conducting of an empirical study. Hands-on activities under the supervision of the tutors will enable students to understand the strengths and limitations of each method, what challenges might arise in the process of research and how to address them. Students will learn how to assess which qualitative methods are appropriate for different research purposes, how to design a study, how to collect and analyze empirical data to find an answer to a research question.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
After completing the course you will be able to:
- Understand the strengths and limitations of different qualitative methods in relation to different research purposes
- Understand what key concepts like sample, variable, hypothesis, operationalization, validity, reliability, ethics mean in the context of qualitative research
Skills
After completing the course you will be able to:
- Design and conduct interviews and focus groups, qualitative content analysis, ethnographic observations
- Systematically collect and analyze empirical qualitative data in order to find an answer to a research question
- Address the challenges (including ethical ones) that practically implementing each method might involve
General competences
On completion of the course you will:
- Have developed the confidence and ability to conduct your own empirical qualitative study
- Be able to understand what other researchers do when they conduct research
- Appreciate the limitations, strengths, and boundaries of validity of scientific findings
- Critically evaluate the role of qualitative research in media and communication studies
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
This course is for students admitted to Media and Communication Studies (master) (being phased out), Politisk kommunikasjon (master) and Screen Cultures (master). Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
Recommended previous knowledge
It is advised that students have passed the course?MEVIT4810 - Introduction to media and communication research: Theory of science and methodology?or similar before taking this course.
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with MEVIT4800 – Methods in media studies: qualitative and quantitative data and analysis (discontinued).
Teaching
The course is taught in five three-hour workshops.?
Compulsory assignment:
- Text submission outlining how the student aims to address a research question using qualitative methods.
A further developed revision of the compulsory assignment based on feedback from the lecturers and peers is to be submitted as this course's exam.?
The compulsory assignment will be assessed as approved/not approved. Approval of the assignment is a prerequisite for being allowed to sit for the examination.??
If you get ill or have other valid reasons for not being able to meet the deadline of the compulsory activity, you must apply for valid absence or postponed deadline.?Read more about compulsory activities at the Faculty of Humanities and find link to the application form.?
Examination
Term paper.
You submit a revised version of the compulsory assignment after receiving feedback.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about?the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.