OGO qualitative methods for observation, analysis and reporting

Focus is on qualitative data as can be obtained from observation of behaviour in naturalistic and laboratory settings. After some theory introduction, students in small groups will perform and report three Research Projects using qualitative data.

Students will learn to design and report research based on qualitative data. Quantitative data are numerical, like scores on a task or measurement instruments. These data can be analysed using statistical summaries and graphs and are typically objective. Qualitative data are descriptive, for example answers to open interview questions or detailed records of observations. Such data is more difficult to analyse and interpretation can be subjective. For example, it may not be obvious how to get and analyse data from behaviour of drivers in difficult traffic situations, or from behaviour known as non-verbal communication between subjects in a laboratory experiment.

Knowledge

• The empirical cycle in the context of qualitative data.
• Types of observational data, approaches to categorization and coding used in interpersonal communication and in traffic behavior.

Skills

• The student is able to design and report research, including writing a research report.

• The student is able to work (under supervision) together with other students in a team for an extended period of time.

• The student is able to reflect on their own role and contribution in a project team, if necessary attuning one or both.

• The student is able to plan and organize project activities in various phases of a project, keep track of task dependencies, priorities and progress, and work towards an end product / deliverable

• The student is able to reflect on own planning and organizing skills and to define an action plan accordingly

You must meet the following requirements

• Registered for a degree programme other than
• HBO-TOP Applied Physics, Pre-Master
• Completed none of the course modules listed below
• Design for the User Experience (DDB120)

• Capita Selecta