IISPPR
International Institute of SDGS & Public Policy Research
About the Course
This course offers a thorough introduction to qualitative research methods, encompassing theoretical foundations, practical techniques, and the application of various qualitative methods in social science research. Students will gain hands-on experience in qualitative research processes, including developing research questions, designing interview schedules, conducting pilot studies, and applying methodologies such as ethnography, grounded theory, case studies, discourse analysis, and narrative analysis
Field Research Fellowship Program Overview
✓ Online Format: The program is fully online.
✓ Program Duration: Classes will be held from 16th July to 16th September 2025.
✓ Eligibility: The program is open to both undergraduate/postgraduate students and working professionals.
✓ Class Schedule: Classes will take place at 6 PM, four times a week. If a significant number of working professionals are enrolled, additional classes may be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays, but the total number of classes each week will remain four.
✓ Homework and Reserve Days: After each class, there will be a designated reserve day to provide ample time for completing homework and assignments. This allows you to thoroughly review class materials and ensure all tasks are completed before the next session.
✓ Certification: A fellowship certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of the program
✓ Total Number of Seats: 20 for Pre Launch
About the Fieldwork
For the fieldwork, you won't need to travel far. You can conduct it right in your own neighborhood. We'll provide you with detailed instructions on how to carry out the fieldwork in your local area.
Here's the detailed curriculum
✓ Importance and purpose of a literature review
✓ Types of literature reviews
✓ Steps in conducting a literature review
Activities ✓ Importance and purpose of a literature review
✓ Types of literature reviews
✓ Steps in conducting a literature review
Homework
✓ Read assigned articles on the importance of literature reviews
✓ Write a brief reflection on the purpose and types of literature reviews
Topics Covered
✓ Lecture on the significance of literature reviews in research Discussion on different types of literature reviews (narrative, systematic, etc.)
✓ Interactive session on identifying research gaps and formulating research questions
Activities
✓ Workshop on using academic databases (e.g., Google Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed)
✓ Group activity on developing search strategies for specific research questions
Homework
✓ Conduct a literature search on a given topic and compile a list of relevant articles
✓ Summarize the key findings from at least three articles
Topics Covered
✓ Techniques for organizing literature (e.g., thematic, chronological)
✓ Critical analysis and synthesis of literature Using reference management software (e.g., Zotero, EndNote)
Activities
✓ Interactive session on organizing literature using thematic and chronological methods Hands-on training on using reference management software
✓ Group discussion on critically analyzing and synthesizing literature
Homework
✓ Conduct a literature search on a given topic and compile a list of relevant articles
✓ Summarize the key findings from at least three articles
Topics Covered
✓ Structure and components of a literature review Writing techniques and tips for clarity and coherence
✓ Common pitfalls to avoid in literature review writing
Activities
✓ Interactive session on organizing literature using thematic and chronological methods
✓ Hands-on training on using reference management software
✓ Group discussion on critically analyzing and synthesizing literature
Homework
✓ Write the first draft of your literature review Peer-review a classmate’s draft and provide constructive feedback
Topics Covered
✓ Revising and editing techniques Incorporating feedback from peers and instructors
✓ Ensuring academic integrity and proper citation
Activities
✓ Workshop on revising and editing drafts for clarity, coherence, and conciseness
✓ Group discussion on incorporating feedback effectively Session on plagiarism and proper citation practices
Homework
✓Revise your literature review based on peer and instructor feedback
✓ Finalize the literature review and ensure all sources are properly cited
Topics Covered
✓ Introduction to qualitative research Ethical considerations and gaining access Building rapport with participants
Activities
✓ Students will attend a lecture on the importance of entering the field.
✓ Students will analyze case studies on gaining access and building rapport.
Homework
✓Students will prepare a brief reflection on the challenges of gaining access to research participants.
✓Students will prepare a brief reflection on the challenges of gaining access to research participants.
Topics Covered
✓ Identifying research gaps Formulating research questions The role of literature review
Activities
✓ Students will participate in a workshop on developing research questions.
✓ Students will engage in group discussions about their research interests and potential questions.
Homework
✓ Students will conduct a literature review related to their research interests and draft at least two research questions.
Topics Covered
✓ Types of interviews (structured, semi-structured, unstructured)
✓ Designing interview questions Crafting an interview guide
Activities
✓ Students will complete a practical exercise on developing interview questions.
✓ Students will role-play interviews in pairs or small groups.
Homework
✓ Students will design an interview guide based on their research questions and prepare a plan for conducting an interview.
Topics Covered
✓ Importance of pilot studies Conducting pilot studies
✓ Revising questionnaires and interview schedules based on pilot feedback
Activities
✓ Students will conduct a pilot study with classmates.
✓ Students will participate in a workshop on revising research instruments based on pilot results
Homework
✓ Students will revise their interview guide based on feedback from the pilot study and submit a revised version.
Topics Covered
✓ Principles of ethnographic research Participant observation and field notes Ethical considerations in ethnography
Activities
✓ Students will be divided into groups for a mini-ethnography project.
✓ Students will conduct fieldwork and gather ethnographic data.
Homework
✓ Students will prepare a field report including observations and reflections from their ethnographic research.
Topics Covered
✓ Submitting ethnography reports
✓ Peer review and feedback
✓ Instructor’s feedback and suggestions
Activities
✓ Students will submit their ethnography reports.
✓ Students will engage in group discussions on the feedback received.
✓ Students will participate in an instructor-led feedback session.
Homework
✓ Students will review peer feedback and make revisions to their ethnography report based on suggestions.
Topics Covered
✓ Identifying research gaps
✓ Formulating research questions
✓ The role of literature review
Activities
✓ Students will complete a hands-on coding exercise using sample data.
✓ Students will work in groups on developing theoretical frameworks.
✓ Students will submit a grounded theory application report.
Homework
✓ Students will complete coding of provided sample data and draft a report on their theoretical framework.
Topics Covered
✓ Types of interviews (structured, semi-structured, unstructured)
✓ Designing interview questions Crafting an interview guide
Activities
✓ Students will complete a practical exercise on developing interview questions.
✓ Students will role-play interviews in pairs or small groups.
Homework
✓ Students will design an interview guide based on their research questions and prepare a plan for conducting an interview.
Topics Covered
✓ Principles of discourse analysis
✓ Identifying discourses in texts
✓ Analyzing discursive practices
Activities
✓ Students will complete a practical exercise on discourse analysis using sample texts.
✓ Students will engage in group discussions on identified discourses.
Homework
✓ Students will analyze a given text using discourse analysis methods and submit a written report.
Topics Covered
✓ Types of interviews (structured, semi-structured, unstructured)
✓ Designing interview questions Crafting an interview guide
Activities
✓ Students will complete a practical exercise on developing interview questions.
✓ Students will role-play interviews in pairs or small groups.
Homework
✓ Students will design an interview guide based on their research questions and prepare a plan for conducting an interview.
Free Ethnography Course Syllabus
5 Sessions (2 hours each)
This short course offers an immersive introduction to ethnography, combining methodological insights with practical skills in fieldwork and ethnographic writing. Participants will learn how to plan, conduct, and analyze ethnographic research with sensitivity to context, ethics, and representation.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
● Understand the theoretical foundations of ethnography.
● Design and implement an ethnographic study.
● Conduct participant observation and in-depth interviews.
● Analyze and interpret ethnographic data.
● Write ethnographic narratives with critical reflexivity.
● Engage with contemporary debates in ethnographic research.
Topics Covered:
History and development of ethnography
Participant observation and fieldwork
Key concepts: culture, emic/etic, thick description
Activities:
Discuss excerpts from classic ethnographies
Short writing: Describe your own culture ethnographically
Readings:
Malinowski, B. (1922). Argonauts of the Western Pacific (Introduction)
Geertz, C. (1973). The Interpretation of Cultures – Chapter 1 (“Thick Description”)
Bernard, H. R. (2017). Research Methods in Anthropology – Ch. 13 (Participant Observation)
Topics Covered:
● Research design
● Selecting a field site and gaining access
● Conducting interviews, field notes, and mapping social space
Activities:
● Workshop: Develop a mini ethnographic research plan
● Practice: Observation and fieldnote exercise in class or nearby space
Readings:
● Emerson, R. M., Fretz, R. I., & Shaw, L. L. (2011). Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes – Ch. 1–3
● Spradley, J. P. (1979). The Ethnographic Interview – Ch. 1–4
Session 3: Ethics, Reflexivity, and Positionality in Ethnography
Topics Covered:
- Ethics of fieldwork: consent, harm, reciprocity
- Power, positionality, and reflexivity
- Indigenous critiques and decolonizing methods
Activities:
- Reflexivity exercise: Positionality statements
- Discussion of ethics case studies
Readings:
- Behar, R. (1996). The Vulnerable Observer – Introduction
- Smith, L. T. (1999). Decolonizing Methodologies – Ch. 1 & 7
- AAA Statement on Ethics: https://www.americananthro.org/ethics
Topics Covered:
- Coding, themes, and narrative structure
- Triangulation and interpretation
- Linking theory and data
Activities:
- Group analysis of sample fieldnotes/interviews
- Thematic coding exercise
Readings:
- Hammersley, M., & Atkinson, P. (2007). Ethnography: Principles in Practice – Ch. 5
- Emerson, Fretz & Shaw (2011). Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes – Ch. 6
Topics Covered:
- Ethnographic storytelling and writing styles
- Authority and representation
- Ethnography in contemporary issues and activism
Activities:
- Peer review of short ethnographic writing samples
- Discussion on experimental ethnographies and visual methods
Readings:
- Clifford, J., & Marcus, G. E. (1986). Writing Culture – Introduction
- Abu-Lughod, L. (1991). “Writing Against Culture” in Recapturing Anthropology
- Marcus, G. (1998). “Ethnography in/of the World System” in Ethnography Through Thick and Thin
Foundational Texts:
- Geertz, Clifford. The Interpretation of Cultures
- Malinowski, Bronislaw. Argonauts of the Western Pacific
- Spradley, James. The Ethnographic Interview
- Bernard, H. Russell. Research Methods in Anthropology
Methodological Guides:
- Emerson, Robert et al. Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes
- Hammersley & Atkinson. Ethnography: Principles in Practice
Critical and Contemporary Perspectives:
- Smith, Linda Tuhiwai. Decolonizing Methodologies
- Behar, Ruth. The Vulnerable Observer
- Clifford & Marcus. Writing Culture
- Abu-Lughod, Lila. Veiled Sentiments (for an example of ethnographic writing)
Assessment (Optional for academic credit):
- Short fieldwork project with observation and interviews
- Reflexive essay on positionality
- Final ethnographic vignette (1000–1500 words)
Required Readings
⭐ Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. Sage.
⭐
Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing Grounded Theory. Sage.
⭐
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. Sage.
⭐
Gee, J. P. (2014). An Introduction to Discourse Analysis: Theory and Method. Routledge.
⭐
Riessman, C. K. (2008). Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences. Sage.
Note - Classes will be conducted online, and recordings will be available for 15 days. After completing the program, students will receive a fellowship certificate. Additionally, those who choose to contribute to a book chapter will be awarded a publication certificate, which will include a DOI.
Fee Structure
Our courses are designed to provide immense value at an incredibly affordable fee. While the actual cost of the course is RS 15000, we are currently offering an prelaunch offer at Rs 2999 or 55 dollars for International Students. We understand that financial situations vary, and if you are facing any financial difficulties, we invite you to pay what you can.
These courses are conducted on a non-profit basis, with the goal of making education accessible to everyone. However, there are significant expenses associated with running these programs that we strive to cover through these fees. Your contribution helps us continue providing quality education and support to all our students.
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