Outline

Overview

The purpose of this unit is to extend and deepen students' knowledge of qualitative research gained in BUSS7903. Students participate in the key contemporary debates on qualitative research in business/management disciplines, and in the social sciences more broadly. The unit covers all stages of conducting a qualitative study, from research design to reporting the results of an empirical study. Emphasis is placed on the relevance of the researcher's own paradigmatic and disciplinary positioning, the diversity and evolution of qualitative traditions, and emerging trends. The implications of different ontological and philosophical commitments for the choices made during the course of a qualitative project are a key integrating theme of this unit. Upon completion of this unit, students are able to critically evaluate qualitative research, make informed decisions in the context of their own projects and improve their own research practices.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	BUSS7906
Academic unit	Business School
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	ECOF7906
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	BUSS7903
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Stefan Meisiek, stefan.meisiek@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Individual reflection Written task	10%	Formal exam period Due date: 24 Nov 2022 at 16:00 Closing date: 14 Dec 2022	Max. 1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Article comparison Critical evaluation of two published case studies	40%	Formal exam period Due date: 24 Nov 2022 at 12:00 Closing date: 14 Dec 2022	Max. 3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Seminar preparation Leading the seminar discussion	30%	Multiple weeks	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Presentation Oral presentation	20%	Week 10 Due date: 14 Oct 2022 at 14:00 Closing date: 23 Oct 2022	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Seminar preparation: You will be expected to lead the discussion during one of the seminars, by taking the class through one of the assigned readings for that week. Allocation of the readings will take place in Week 1. You will evaluated on how well you have prepared for the discussion, how you stimulate class discussion, how you handles questions from your peers and your own critical evaluation of the reading. You are encouraged to prepare slides, handouts, polls or other activities to keep the discussion rolling.
Presentation: Together with another student in the unit (ideally, someone from a different discipline to your own), you will be
required to present a comparison of two methodology chapters from PhD theses that have used a qualitative methodology.
Individual reflection: This task asks you to reflect on, and articulate, your major learnings from the unit. What are the main ways in which your understanding of qualitative research has changed as a result of this unit, and how will these insights inform the next stages of your own research project?
Article comparison: For this task, you will be required to critically compare and contrast the methodological approaches of two published qualitative articles in your own or a related research area. Key issues for you to consider are: 1. What are the authors’ underlying philosophical assumptions, in your view? How have these assumptions influenced the study? 2. What do you regard as the key methodological influences on the study, and what is your evidence for this assessment? 3. How have the authors justified the elements of their research design (e.g. number of cases, data sources, data analysis)? Are these justifications convincing? 4. What have you learned from this assignment that you can apply to your own research?

More information on each assessment task can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction: The process of doing qualitative research	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 02	Theme 1: The legacy of positivism in contemporary qualitative research 1.1: The influence of grounded theory	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 03	1.2 Debates about the case study	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 04	Theme 2: Data collection and analysis reconsidered 2.1 Critical Perspectives on the interview	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 05	2.2. Combining diverse data sources	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 06	2.3 Beyond coding? Approaches to data analysis	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 07	Preparing for your presentations: Writing a methodology chapter	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	Theme 3: Theorising from qualitative data 3.1 Accounting for context and time in qualitative research	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	3.2 Alternative theorising traditions	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	Presentations and debrief	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 11	Presentations and debrief	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 12	Theme 4: Writing up and reporting 4.1. Writing up qualitative research for journal publications	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 13	Concluding discussion: The quality of qualitative research revisited	Workshop (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The readings are available via the BUSS7906 Canvas site

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate familiarity with the key literature/issues related to qualitative methodology by applying them to actual examples
LO2. discuss the main choices that a qualitative researcher faces at each stage of the study, from design to reporting, in seminar preparation and discussions
LO3. evaluate the quality of qualitative research, both in terms of its execution and its consistency, with its underlying epistemological commitments
LO4. apply methodological insights gained from the readings and seminar discussion to their own research.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Additional information

Business School Policies

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BUSS7906: Advanced Qualitative Methods

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect