Description of Course Elements

Interview: Associate professor Lene Møller Madsen, Assistant Professor Henriette T. Holmegaard, Professor Lars Ulriksen

The participants will reflect on how different ways of interviewing produces different outcomes and is suitable to explore various research aims. As such they will work on combining research aim- theory and suitable interview method. The participants will plan, carry out and reflect on different interview methods. They will work with classic interviews as well as more alternative approaches, hereunder interviews centered on artefacts (exhibits, work in the laboratory or written assignments). Also they will be presented for a guideline for what kind of reflections is required for a qualitative researcher before, during and after the interview. Finally they will work with the interviewer position in terms of their own position in the field they are studying.

Observation: Associate Professor Marie Claire Shanahan and assistant professor Jean Rockford Aguilar-Valdez

The participants will reflect on how different observation methods produce different data and is suitable to explore various research aims. They will plan, carry out and reflect on different observation methods, from the participating observer to the observant observer. They will be presented for classroom observations to more anthropological oriented observations, and discuss how to collect data hereunder the design of an observation guide and taking field notes. They will work on combining research aim- theory and suitable observation method. Also they will be presented for a guideline for what kind of reflections is required for a qualitative researcher before, during and after the observations. Finally they will work with the researchers’ position in terms of their own position in the field they are studying. The participants will practice observations and discuss the challenges embedded in the method.

Ethnographic methods, Assistant professor Emily Dawson and assistant professor Jean Rockford Aguilar-Valdez

Ethnographic methods are a still growing field within science education. Here the researcher follows the research object often in different cultural contexts and often over a long period of time. This require of the research to have a strong research focus and hence to reflect on how to collect valuable data. The participants will be presented for the method, and the knowledge potentials embedded within it. They will discuss what counts as data, how to construct a guideline for data-collection and how to report and present ethnographic data. They will work on producing data themselves and engage in a discussion of the challenges embedded in the method. Finally they will discuss when ethnographical methods are suitable as a method.

Qualitative research criteria, ethic and positionality: All teachers

When conducting qualitative research it is crucial to be familiar with the ethical guidelines that set the scene for the entire research process from contacting the participants conducting the research and analysing the data. Ethical guidelines vary within cultural context, however qualitative researchers’ have formulated general criteria that applies for such research, and that differs from that of quantitative research. The participants will work on their own research projects and discuss how they ensure the keep the ethical guidelines. As part of that, qualitative researcher must reflect on their own position in the data-collection as well as in the analysis. The participants will work with their own position as a researcher in relation to their research field and reflect on the challenges they encounter.

Finally the course will provide the participants with knowledge and discuss how qualitative research cope with the criteria of validity, generalisability, reprensentativity. These criteria’s are different from that of quantitative research traditions, and the participants will discuss how they ensure that their research meet the standards for good qualitative research.

The course will end with a post lecture where the participants will be invited into pose questions and discuss the weeks learning outcomes with the teachers.