GEOG 377 - Qualitative Research Methods

Social scientists use qualitative methods to understand the ways in which societal associations operate and how people experience, contribute to, or try to change these associations. Qualitative methods are thus concerned with analyzing processes and experiences. This course trains students to use qualitative research methods to collect data, analyze it, draw authoritative conclusions, and observe professional research ethics. The course emphasizes how qualitative methods contribute to scientific research and how ethical treatment of research participants affects the practice of qualitative research. Above all, the course focuses on training students to conduct qualitative research that contributes to our understanding of human geographies. Students will develop these skills by engaging in a semester-long research project for a client. Participation in this project will help you learn how to plan, prepare, and carry out a qualitative research project on a deadline. Our client is Freshwater Society, a nonprofit environmental education organization, with whom we will work collaboratively to evaluate one of their programs. Their Master Water Stewards program is a multi-year effort that aims to enlarge the ways people perceive urban watersheds and help people change their behaviors in ways that align with sustainability. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 111 (4 Credits)