Qualitative and Quantitative Methods - Interactive curriculae of TU Ilmenau

Alternative examination performance with 100 points in total, comprising of

1) development and upload of a qualitative guideline (5 points),

2) conducting, transcribing and upload of a qualitative interview (5 points)

3) qualitative data analysis and upload (5 points)

4) development and upload of a quantitative survey (5 points)

5) oral examination (80 points)

Prof. Dr. Jens Wolling, Dr. Christina Schumann

Enrolment in the course takes place during the first two sessions – attendance at both sessions is mandatory. The exact dates are specified in the Moodle room. Registration for the examination is done directly by the Examination Office based on the list of participants. Enrolment in the seminar groups takes place during the first session.

By attending the lecture, students understand the research logic and the basic principles of qualitative and quantitative research methods in social sciences. Students are able to compare the two paradigms of empirical research and decide when they should be applied. They know how to evaluate the quality of research instruments and designs and how the methods can be combined.

By attending the seminar, students can apply and combine qualitative and quantitative methods and use them for the conception of an empirical research project.

Besides developing methodological competencies, students acquire analytical competencies since they are able to recognize and weigh up both methodological approaches' advantages and disadvantages. Also, students correctly assess the applicability of both approaches.

The lecture teaches the basic principles and underlying paradigms of qualitative and quantitative research methods. For both approaches, the dominant research steps, including the formulation of research questions and hypotheses, operationalization, instrument development and pretesting, sampling and data collection, are explained.

In the seminar, students apply the knowledge from the lecture practically by conducting a research project. Students formulate a research question of social, political, or economic relevance. They state hypotheses, plan an appropriate research design, develop the necessary research instruments, and do a pretest. Students are encouraged to use software for qualitative analysis (e.g., MAXQDA) and quantitative data gathering (e.g., questback)

Comprehensive video library on moodle

Bryman, A. (2012): Social Research Methods (4th Ed.). Oxford: University Press.