Qualitative Research (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

The course is divided into three parts

2 ECTS Theoretical foundations of qualitative research, forming the research design, and the process of qualitative research.

2 ECTS Methods of data collection and data analysis, description of the data, and processing and interpretation of data analysis.

1 ECTS Examination of the reliability and ethics of qualitative research. Reflection on learning, submission of a learning diary, and course feedback.

Each part includes both independent and group assignments

Objective

Purpose of the course
The aim of the course is to understand the meaning of qualitative research and to be able to use qualitative research and its methods in development and research practices at workplaces.

Competences
Ethical competence
Learning and information management competence
Entrepreneurship, innovation and working community competence

Learning outcomes
After completing the study level, you will have an overall picture of the theoretical foundations and methods of qualitative research.

You understand the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research.

You recognize the suitability of different qualitative materials and methods for solving different types of research tasks.

You understand the importance of research ethics in qualitative research.

You have the skills to conduct and evaluate qualitative research and its suitability for research and development work in your field.

Content

In the course, you will learn about qualitative research approaches and methods, the basics of selecting and narrowing down your research topic, and formulating your research task. You will also learn about methods related to data collection and analysis, ensuring the reliability of the research, as well as ethical principles and practices.

Location and time

Course Schedule
The course begins on 26th of January 2026, in the Moodle learning environment.

You can find the detailed schedule in the Moodle learning environment.

The course ends on May 20th, 2026.

Attendance will be checked three weeks after the start date. Participation in the course requires that you have submitted Learning Task 1.

Scheduled Online Course
Qualitative Research is a multidisciplinary course conducted entirely online.
Your studies will follow the schedule available in Moodle.

Materials

Recommended literature from which you can choose what to use for completing tasks

Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods. Oxford University Press.

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage.

Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (2017). The Sage handbook of qualitative research. Sage.

Erikson, P., & Kovalainen, A. (2015). Qualitative methods in business research (2nd ed.). Sage.

Ghauri, P. N., Gronhaug, K., & Strange, R. (2020). Research methods in business studies (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Holloway, I., & Galvin, K. (2017). Qualitative research in nursing and healthcare (4th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

Klenke, K. (2016). Qualitative research in the study of leadership. Emerald.

Kyngäs, H., Mikkonen, K., & Kääriäinen, M. (Eds.). (2018). The application of content analysis in nursing science research. Springer.

Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3rd ed.). Sage.

Silverman, D. (2022). Doing Qualitative Research. Sage.

Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage.

Teaching methods

Study methods

Qualitative research is an online course. You will study in the Moodle learning environment. In Moodle, you will find the course instructions, schedules, assignments, and study materials. You will also participate in webinars where you will work on exercises, reflect, and share what you have learned collaboratively with your peers. You will need to have a camera, headphones, and a microphone for participating in the webinars.

You will compile step-by-step assignments and reflect on what you have learned in the qualitative research workbook.

Guidance
You will receive guidance in the webinars from the teacher and your peers in the form of collaborative learning tasks.

Feedback
You will receive both qualitative and quantitative assessment and feedback on the assignments, group work analyses, and reflection tasks completed during the course.

You will provide both mid-course and final feedback on the course.

Employer connections

Your student group forms a working life-oriented peer learning network.

This course has a research project, which can be done for a case organisation.

Exam schedules

There is no exam in the course.

International connections

In the course, you will utilize international research literature and consider international perspectives in your development plan.

Completion alternatives

You can familiarise yourself with 17§ of Jamk's degree regulations when considering the recognition and recognition of course competence based on your previously acquired competence and the objectives of the course.

Student workload

Your indicative use of time during the 5-credit course is 135 working hours, which is divided as follows:

Orientation to the course 20 h
Studying with learning materials 40 h
Completing learning assignments 60 h
Online lectures and webinars 8 h
Self-assessment and feedback 7 h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient 1
The student knows the theoretical basis of qualitative research as well as the strengths and weaknesses. He or she identifies different types of qualitative data and methods that are applicable to different types of research tasks solving. The student understands how to evaluate qualitative research. The student knows how qualitative research has been applied in research and development.

Satisfactory 2
The student applies the theoretical basis of qualitative research. The student is able to identify and select the various kinds of qualitative data and methods, which are applicable to different types of research tasks solving. The student can to apply qualitative research in his/her own field.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3
The student master the theoretical basics, strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research. The student is able to analyze the suitability of different qualitative data and methods, in his/her own field research. The students can analyze the qualitative research and its suitability in his/her field of research and development.

Very good 4
The student is able to synthetize and summarize theoretical basics, strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research. The student is able to create new knowledge by utilizing qualitative data and methods. The student is able to create new knowledge by utilizing qualitative research in his/her own field.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
The student is able to determine critically the reasons for the qualitative research information theoretical foundations and methods. The student evaluates strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research. Student can evaluate a variety of qualitative data and methods for the purpose of different types of research tasks solving. Student evaluates critically qualitative research and its applicability in their own field of research and development.

Qualifications

Research and Development study course or equivalent competence.

Further information

Assessment Methods

The course utilizes various qualitative assessment methods such as feedback from the teacher on assignments, self-assessment, and peer feedback received during webinars.

The assessment of learning is developmental and based on competency goals.

The course follows the guidelines of Arene and the rules of Jamk in the instructions for assignments, including the use of artificial intelligence and potential ethical issues.