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Admission Requirements :
Holders of M.Phil degree in an appropriate field of study from a recognised University; those with education have an advantage
Level 900
First Semester Course Code Course Title No. of Credits EPQ 901 Evolution of Research Perspective Evolution of Research PerspectiveCode : EPQ 901 Level 900 Semester : First Semester No. of Credits : 3 Overview The course is designed to help the student identify the fundamental ideas that brought about changes in people’s views about research and how these changes have resulted in our better understanding of phenomena. The constant search for new paradigms is stressed and the idea of originality as a basis for the generation of new knowledge is also emphasized. The historical contexts of positivism versus anti-positivism, modernism versus post-modernism, naturalistic behaviour, ethno-methodology and epistemology are discussed.
3 EPQ 902 Theoretical Underpinnings of Research Methodologies Theoretical Underpinnings of Research MethodologiesCode : EPQ 902 Level 900 Semester : First Semester No. of Credits : 3 Overview This course discusses the philosophical underpinnings of quantitative, qualitative and multi-research approaches as well as strength and weaknesses associated with each approach. It exposes student to traditions of qualitative research methods and theories that underpin them. Disciplinary traditions, ideological and political contexts are discussed. Threats to reliability of qualitative research and strategies for managing such threats through trust building are discussed. Also of interest are positionality, attention to voice, critical reflexivity etc. ways of building trust in qualitative data and the role of the researcher in qualitative research are explored.
3 EPQ 903 Planning and Designing Qualitative Research Planning and Designing Qualitative ResearchCode : EPQ 903 Level 900 Semester : First Semester No. of Credits : 3 Overview The course discusses the basis for selection of qualitative methods and the strategies for qualitative research. It reviews the processes involved in planning and designing qualitative studies with emphasis on interpretive studies, phenomenological studies, in depth critical theory, ethnographic studies, historical studies, humanistic studies, action research, grounded theory, case studies, documentary and discourse analysis. It explores general methodological guidelines and issues of sample selection, access negotiation, credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability and authenticity. Students are exposed to participant selection (sampling) issues in qualitative research within the context of validity and reliability. The open nature of qualitative research questions is recognized and implications for this are discussed. Limitations and plausibility of conclusions of these types of studies are also discussed.
3 EPQ 904 Instrument Development and Data Collection Techniques in Qualitative Research Instrument Development and Data Collection Techniques in Qualitative ResearchCode : EPQ 904 Level 900 Semester : First Semester No. of Credits : 3 Overview This course is designed to equip the student with skills in developing instruments for collecting qualitative data. Various methods of collecting qualitative data are discussed. Particular attention is given to interviews and interviewing, shadowing/observation, use of audio-video technology, focus group discussion, documentary analysis, literature search etc. Techniques of triangulation and data authentication strategies are discussed.
3 EPQ 905 Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research Ethical Issues in Qualitative ResearchCode : EPQ 905 Level 900 Semester : First Semester No. of Credits : 3 Overview This course seeks to make the student aware of ethical issues associated with qualitative research. It discusses issues related to informed consent, invasion of respondents’ privacy, compensation of respondents for loss of time as a result of their interaction with the researcher, anonymity of respondents, and acquisition and use of confidential or secret information. The course also examines ethical clearance/ethics regulatory policies in West Africa and Ghana. It discusses ethical dilemmas relating to regulatory bodies, political ramification, cultural values and practices in qualitative studies. Also discussed are standardized procedures for reporting research results and the protection of research participants.
3 EPQ 999 Thesis ThesisCode : EPQ 999 Level 900 Semester : First Semester No. of Credits : 3 Overview This is the outcome of the student’s fieldwork, supervised and prepared according to the guidelines on supervision and preparation of theses laid down by the School of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Cape Coast. The quality of the thesis will earn the student candidature for the Ph.D. Approval of the thesis signifies successful completion of the student’s research training and development of research proposal in Year 1.
3 Second Semester Course Code Course Title No. of Credits EPQ 906 Analysing Qualitative Data Analysing Qualitative DataCode : EPQ 906 Level 900 Semester : Second Semester No. of Credits : 3 Overview The course provides insights into the various techniques used in analyzing qualitative data while the data gathering is going on. The importance of iterative analysis of field notes, individual or group interviews, outcome of shadowing and observation is stressed. The student is exposed to interview data transcription techniques, categorization strategies and processes of deriving themes from qualitative data. Opportunities are given the student to acquire skills in open coding, axial coding and selective coding techniques. Interpretation issues such as triangulating data, audits, cultural bias and generalization are discussed.
3 EPQ 907 Computer Applications in Analysing Qualitative Data Computer Applications in Analysing Qualitative DataCode : EPQ 907 Level 900 Semester : Second Semester No. of Credits : 3 Overview The purpose of this course is to provide opportunities for students to have hand-on experience in using computer software. Students will be taken through the processes of discourse analysis, and the use of such software as NuDist and NVivo (version 8) in analyzing qualitative data.
3 EPQ 908 Qualitative Research Reporting Qualitative Research ReportingCode : EPQ 908 Level 900 Semester : Second Semester No. of Credits : 3 Overview The course is intended to help students sharpen their skills in writing so as to be able to communicate clearly the outcomes of qualitative studies. Emphasis is placed on skills in describing and presenting qualitative evidence through anecdotal reporting. Opportunities are provided for students to criticize published qualitative reports and also engage in review of reports written by their peers through seminars.
3 EPQ 909 Peer Seminars Peer SeminarsCode : EPQ 909 Level 900 Semester : Second Semester No. of Credits : 3 Overview 3
Ph.D Qualitative Research
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Admission Requirements :
Holders of M.Phil degree in an appropriate field of study from a recognised University; those with education have an advantage