optional books

It looks like the optional books are not all listed on the UT bookstore website, so just in case here is a list. Again, these are not required, but they may be useful to you in your research careers.

Anderson, T. & Kanuka, H. (2003). E-Research: Methods, strategies and issues. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Di Gregorio, S. & Davidson, J. (2008). Qualitative research design for software users. New York, NY: McGraw Hill. 

Fielding, N., Lee, R.M. & Blank, G. (2008). The SAGE handbook of online research methods. London: Sage Publications.

Gibbs, G. (2008). Analysing qualitative data. The Sage Qualitative Research Kit, Edited by U. Flick. London, Sage Publications.

Hart, C. (1999). Doing a literature review: Releasing the social science research imagination. London: Sage Publications.

Howell Major, C. & Savin-Baden, M. (2010). An introduction to qualitative research synthesis: Managing the information explosion in social science research. New York: Routledge.

Kozinets, R.V. (2009). Netnography: Doing ethnographic research online. London: Sage Publications.

Lewins, A. & Silver, C. (2007). Using software in qualitative research: a step by step guide. London: Sage Publications.

Maxwell, J.A. (2005). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach. London: Sage Publications.

Saldaña, J. (2009). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. London: Sage Publications.

Wolcott, H. (2009). Writing up qualitative research, 3^rd edition. London: Sage Publications.

heads up

Hello everyone – this email is going out to everyone registered/wait-listed for EP604: Digital Tools for Qualitative Research.  I’m really looking forward to working with you this summer! 

I am still working on the syllabus, but I wanted to give you a heads-up on a few things:

1. We are scheduled to meet from July 11-August 8, 5:00-9:25pm, Monday and Wednesday evenings in Hoskins Library, room 110C. This is the classroom used by OIT/ITC for their technology training sessions. It should have enough power strips for everyone to plug in their laptops as needed, as well as projection capabilities to demonstrate tools.

2. I will send more details on this later, but it will be important for you to have a Windows laptop to use during the class, and you need to be able to download software to the laptop. If you do not have access to one, I have a set of new netbooks available for check out for the entire period of the course. You’ll be able to download and try out the software that we use on those netbooks. If you would like to use one of these, let me know and I will get it to you before the class starts so that you can get comfortable with it.

3. Other recommended equipment: headset (headphones/microphone), regular headphones, web cam, digital recorder. More details to come on this along with the syllabus.

4. Please note that there are no required books for the course. I have ordered a long list of optional textbooks which should be in the bookstore. These are books that I have found useful in my qualitative research work, and they would be great references for your personal academic library. I will be selecting key articles and chapters and posting the materials in Blackboard as well as referencing some of the books as we work together.

5. The focus of the course will be on best practices in the qualitative research process and how technology tools can support that process. My plan is for you to get an overview of some key tools out there and also have the work time to really dig into the tools you are most interested in. If you have experience with particular tools I would love for you to share that with the class. We’ll be working collaboratively, helping each other learn the tools and trouble-shoot problems as they arise. I’ll share what I know, but I know that I will be learning a lot from you, too!

6.  I think that’s it for now – I’ll be away from email next week but back after that so please feel free to send any questions you may have my way. Once the syllabus is complete and the Blackboard site is up I will be back in touch! Hope first summer session is going well for you all.

Trena

two more good references

An introduction to qualitative research synthesis

Qualitative research design

Getting to work a bit today on summer syllabi, I'm getting excited for the class.

Qualitative Research Design for Software Users

Ran across this book which looks very useful for the course - probably as another optional text. 

Qualitative Research Design for Software Users.

Have happily received permission to have class over in Hoskins - excellent!

Working with OIT to schedule the data analysis software workshops at a time when students can attend them for class. 

classroom

I'd like to have class over in Hoskins where the ITC/OIT has its teaching classroom. It's the only space on campus designed for students to be working on their laptops along with the instructor, and I think they have plenty of power strips available. Since a lot of the class will be hands-on, I need someplace where students can work on their computers during a 4.5 hour class. I sent an email today to see if it's possible for us to use the space.

books!

I had to submit my book orders this week, and all of these books will be optional/recommended, but not required, for the course:

Hart (1999). Doing a literature review: Releasing the social science research imagination

Kozinets (2009). Netnography: Doing ethnographic research online

Lewins & Silver (2007). Using software in qualitative research: a step by step guide

Saldana (2009). The coding manual for qualitative researchers

Gibbs (2008). Analysing qualitative data

Wolcott (2009). Writing up qualitative research

It's important to emphasize/remind students that the qualitative research process is the same - but also introduce them to new technologies can transform that process. These are some of the latest and best books out on the various aspects of the process. 

Required readings will be journal articles rather than books, as they are more up to the moment in terms of technology & qualitative research.

I'm working on an article with a graduate student on how qualitative researchers have tended to shy away from embracing new technologies, and illustrating how various tools can transform the process in meaningful ways that have yet to be explored by most scholars. Eventually I'd like this to develop into a book, and this summer's course will help that process along quite a bit!

course description

New special topics course:  EP604: Digital tools for qualitative research, 5:00-9:00 pm, MW. 

This hands-on, skills-based course will give students experiences using a variety of technologies for qualitative research studies. The course will highlight how new technologies are changing the essence of what it means to engage in qualitative inquiry. Many aspects of the research process will be explored, such as literature reviews (database searching, iannotate, Endnote/Zotero), researcher reflexivity/collaboration/project management (blogs, wikis, Skype, dropbox), data collection (virtual communities as research contexts, online interviewing/focus groups), data analysis (Inqscribe, Atlas.ti,Transana), and representation of findings (digital video/photography). 

A list of recommended hardware and software programs will be provided prior to the start of class. 

For more information, please contact Dr. Paulus: tpaulus@utk.edu and course updates will be posted here: http://digitalqual.blogspot.com/