Qualitative Inquiry
The School of Educational Policy and Leadership has been a major site for the developing interest in "qualitative" or "interpretative" studies in education, both within the College of Education and Human Ecology at the Ohio State University, and in the larger educational research community. As course work has developed in the last twenty years, two separate but complementary course sequences have been developed at the doctoral level, and additional courses and seminars at the Masters and Doctoral level.
At the Doctoral Level, the complementary course sequences vary in their emphasis and analytic orientations. Each sequence shows three [3] courses and a structure of pre-requisites. Students are encouraged to take courses across the sequences, though the pre-requisites for each must be observed.
Qualitative Research Sequence #1
Ed. P&L 800, 966, 967
This sequence focuses on a number of qualitative methodologies including the Lincoln and Guba interpretivist approach, the thick description-oriented ethnographic approach exemplified by the work of anthropologists such as Geertz and Spindler, the grounded theory approach first articulated in sociology, and methodologies inspired by feminist, critical, poststructuralist, and postmodern theory.
Sequence #1 begins with Ed. P&L 800: 800 is the Introductory course, followed by two additional courses, one of which focuses on and involves students with data collection, the other centering on data analysis. 800 is offered quarterly.
It proceeds with:
- Ed. P&L 966:Practicum in Qualitative Research Methods (Winter Only)
- Ed. P&L 967: Qualitative Data Analysis (Spring Only)
- Ed P&L 692P46 is also offered to introduce NUDIST, a program for computer assisted analysis of qualitative data
Instructors for this sequence include Drs. Lather and Nespor, and various lecturers as needed.
Qualitative Research Sequence #2
Ed. P&L 817.01, 817.02, 817.03
This sequence focuses on methods involving the naturalistic observation and analysis of social interaction and discourse-in-interaction, in classrooms and other contexts. The sequence draws upon ethnographic, microethnographic and social-constructivist traditions in sociology, anthropology, discourse analysis and ethnomethodology. Within the field of education, the work of Fred Erickson, Jean Lave, Ray Mcdermott and Hugh Mehan exemplify the methodological approach and literatures that organize this second sequence.
Sequence # 2 begins with Ed. P&L 817.01. This is the introductory course, and begins with the foundations of qualitative studies in anthropology, sociology and the philosophy of science, and includes an introduction to the early literature in educational ethnography, and its more contemporary expressions. The course entails readings, lectures and field exercises. Though a doctoral level course, Masters students may enroll with permission of instructor.
It proceeds with:
- Ed. P&L 817.02:The Analysis of Classroom Discourse
- Ed. P&L 817.03:Seminar: Systematics of Observation
Dr. Macbeth is the principal instructor for this sequence.
In addition to these regularized course sequences there are seminars and related courses at the doctoral level [e.g., Ed. P&L 909: Cultural Process in Education; Ed. P&L 760 (WOST 760) Feminist Methodology]. Consult your advisor and course schedule for further information.
The Master's level
Ed P&L offers two [2] qualitative research courses:
- Ed P&L 798: Qualitative Research for Educators 798 is offered in Autumn, Spring, and Summer. Dr. Macbeth and lecturers as needed
- Ed. P&L 890: Action Research
Please consult with you advisor, program requirements, and the course schedule.
We hope you will find this information about our curriculum in qualitative methodology helpful as you engage in constructing your program of study. We believe the school of Educational Policy and Leadership offers a strong program of study for students who have an interest in qualitative research, to explore courses which offer different but complementary content in a diverse and developing field. Please contact our faculty if you have questions.