COGS 221 - Qualitative Methods: Theory and Practice

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

This course focuses on methods for studying the subjective experience, thinking, and behavior of organisms, including in their real world contexts. Students are introduced to methods such as: structured and open-ended interview, journaling, experiential sampling, non-intrusive and participant observation, case studies, and longitudinal data gathering. Students learn how these methods are used in research and employ some of them. We also explore a set of basic philosophical issues regarding ways of knowing, whether it is ever possible to attain objective knowledge, the reliability of subjective data, the role of context in organism functioning, and the related problem of ecological validity. We consider the advantages and limitations of the methods that we study. The focus is on qualitative research methods. Gwen Broude.

Prerequisite(s): One of the following: COGS 211, 213, 215.

Two 2-hour periods.

Course Format: CLS