Qualitative Research Methods
About the course
The course is reserved for students with admission to Master in Contemporary Risk and Crisis Management (CRCM). May not be taken as singular course.
This course provides in-depth knowledge of the principles and practice of qualitative research in the social sciences. The focus is on the key elements that define a qualitative study including design, data collection and analysis. The students will get advanced knowledge of the theoretical foundations and key concepts underlying qualitative research. They will also learn to collect data using fundamental methods and master techniques of doing qualitative data analysis. The course provides advanced knowledge and practical skills for developing and conducting qualitative research projects.
Objectives of the course
Knowledge:
The student …
- has advanced knowledge of the theoretical foundations for qualitative methods
- can distinguish between different strategies to collect, analyze, and present data used in qualitative research
- can critically assess relevance and usefulness, as well as strengths and limitations of different qualitative methodologies and data collection techniques
- can analyze quality and discuss ethics in qualitative research
- can understand the logic of research design and how to develop and conduct qualitative research projects
Skills:
The student …
- can explain and discuss the fundamentals of qualitative research
- can critically assess the relevance and usefulness of applying qualitative methodology to individual study
- can produce qualitative data, conduct data analysis, and present qualitative data
- can analyze and discuss strengths and limitations of different qualitative methodologies and data collection techniques
- can develop and conduct individual projects based on qualitative approach and critically reflect on their strengths and limitations
- can identify and critically reflect upon ethical challenges in qualitative research
General competence:
The student …
- has in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of qualitative research
- can develop and conduct an individual study based on qualitative approach including critical assessment of its quality
Credit reduction
If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:
- SVF-3212 Research Design and Method in Societal Security 5 ects
Teaching methods
Language of instruction and examination
English.
Students may choose to answer the exam in Norwegian.
Schedule
The schedules are normally finalized and published well in advance of the start of the semester, often a few weeks beforehand. This gives students the opportunity to organize their studies and prepare for upcoming activities.
It is recommended to check the schedule regularly, as changes may occur.
Examination
| Off campus exam | Hand in: 30.11.2026 14:00 Hand out: 24.11.2026 09:00 Duration: 6 Days |
Grade: A–E, fail F |
To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements
| Individual assignment | Grade: Approved – not approved |
| Group assignment | Grade: Approved – not approved |
Everything you need to know about before, during, and after the exam; registration, absence, appeals, and diplomas: UiT Exams homepage