Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Geography
one-way Exclusions
Two 1.5 hour lectures & one 1.5 hour tutorial per week
Please note that course information listed in the Arts and Science Course Calendar supersedes any information listed on the Geography and Planning website.
For the most current course offerings, registered Queen鈥檚 students should consult .
Course Description
Qualitative research in human geography seeks to investigate the complex phenomena of people and place including individual experience, social processes, and human environments. This course covers the entire research process from the definition of a research problem, research design, data collection, and analysis and attends to related issues of power, subjectivity, and ethics. Students will develop practical skills for qualitative data collection and analysis through weekly in-class activities. Over the semester, students will develop and refine a research proposal with feedback from the teaching team and their peers.
Learning Outcomes
- Gain a hands-on appreciation for the value and purpose of qualitative research in a well-justified research proposal.
- Learn how to craft a geographic research question and choose appropriate research methods to answer it.
- Access and assess published research using different search tools and evaluative frameworks.
- Practice critical reflexivity to deepen understanding of the relationships between social position, power dynamics and research ethics.
- Provide, receive, and implement constructive feedback on a research proposal.
Assessments
Subject to Change
- Tutorial Prep/Participation: 24% (best 8/9)
- Weekly Exit Tickets: 24% (best 8/9)
- Assignments: 25% (3 components of final proposal)
- Peer Review: 5%
- Final Research Proposal: 22%