POL S 559 (A) Qualitative and Mixed Methods
“The complexity of our research problems calls for answers beyond simple numbers in a quantitative sense or words in a qualitative sense. A combination of both forms of data can provide the most complete analysis of problems.”
– Creswell & Plano Clark. Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research (2017: 23)
Course Description
Building on the department’s main methods sequence (POL S 500, 501, and 503), this course delves more deeply into qualitative and mixed-methods (and related multi-methods) approaches in Political Science research. The first part of the course focuses on learning about some of the most commonly used qualitative methodologies, while the second part then expands on mixed-methods approaches. Each week combines theoretical treatments with more hands-on instruction on how to design and execute a specific methodological technique in practice through an examination of applied examples and students’ own work. Applications are drawn from various topics and subfields, and engage a range of specific methods, including case studies, process tracing, comparative historical analysis, archival research, and interviews. Along with an introduction to mixed-methods approaches, designs will consider combinations within each general category of qualitative and quantitative methods (which include large-N observational data, surveys, experiments, and formal models), in addition to those combining across qualitative and quantitative methods in various ways. Throughout the course, we will consider a wide range of practical and ethical issues that arise in the social scientific research process in general, and for qualitative and mixed methods in particular.
In a quarter-length course, certain topics, by necessity, cannot be covered. Similarly, many of the week’s topics could constitute entire courses on their own. Nevertheless, the course aims to provide students a firm foundation for further research and instruction using qualitative and mixed methods.
The course should be viewed as complementary to other offerings in the department (e.g., POL S 504 Multi-Method Field Research) and outside units. For additional course offerings, see UW’s Qualitative Methods Concentration (QUAL).
Although there are no prerequisites, some experience with general principles of research design and quantitative methods is strongly recommended (e.g., POL S 500 and 501, or equivalents).
Learning Objectives
- Introduce students to qualitative and mixed-methods research approaches generally, and how they should be conducted.
- Increase knowledge of philosophical underpinnings of qualitative and mixed-methods research.
- Recognize and understand the various qualitative and mixed-methods designs that exist, their key/distinguishing features and characteristics, and the main considerations in using them.
- Gain an understanding of how to execute these methods in practice through analysis of applied examples.
- Assist students in developing their own qualitative or mixed-methods research design.
Course Requirements
- Class Participation: 25%
- Short Assignments: 45%
- Research Proposal: 30%