Design in Qualitative Research

IE 704 Design in Qualitative Research

2000-2001

Dr.Erol Sayin

sayin@ie.metu.edu.tr

Office: IE-335, Tel: 210 22 88

Course Description:

Qualitative research methods serving as means to better understand and change a complex social phenomenon.
Models employed in applied fields for gaining a better understanding of human interactions are among others,
qualitative interviewing and observation, Delphi Technique, Balanced Scorecard and System Dynamics.
Through systematic means the students will gather information about actions and interactions, reflect on their
meaning, arrive at and evaluate conclusions, and eventually put forward an interpretation.

Course Objectives and Goals:

Qualitative research methods assume that systematic inquiry must occur in a natural setting rather than an artificially
constrained one such as an experiment. They identify and describe the complexity of socio-economic problems.
Initial questions for research often come from real-world observations. Through systematic means the information
will be gathered about actions and interactions, reflect on their meaning, arrive at and evaluate conclusions, and
eventually put forward an interpretation.

Course Outline:

1. Conceptual Framework

1.1. Qualitative Data

1.2. Qualitative Research

2. Designing Qualitative Research

2.1. Research Focus and Data Management

2.2. Data Reading and Mapping

2.3. Categorization

2.4. Data Linking and Connections

2.5. Accounts, Validity and Reliability

3. Qualitative Research Methods

3.1. Human Behaviour in the Work Environment

3.1.1.Organizational Behaviour

3.2.2.Human Relations

3.2. Qualitative Performance Improvement (Balanced Scorecard Approach)

3.3. Qualitative Parameter Extraction (Delphi Technique)

3.4. Qualitative Strategic Planning Support (System Dynamics)

Grading

Term Project : 40 % (Balanced Scorecard or System Dynamics Applications)

Homeworks: 20 % (an Interview and an Observation Report; each worth of 10 points)

Quizzes: 30 %

Participation: 10 %

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Term Projects from 1999-2000:

1. Balanced Scorecard Application for State Theaters (Ozgur Ozugur and Fatma Deli)

2. Balanced Scorecard Application for TOFAŞ-ARGE Department (Turker Gudu)

3. System Dynamics for Tourism Sector in Turkey (Esra Tugcu and Tekin Mentes)

4. System Dynamics for National Innovation System (Alper Gungor and Ayse Polat)

5. System Dynamics for Hypermarket Sector in Turkey (Tamer Gulsac, Merve Taylan and Burak Nalcaci)

6. System Dynamics for Secondary Education (Selcen Pamuk and Ayse Kocabiyikoglu)

7. System Dynamics for Housing Supply to Low and Middle Income Families (Baris Acinan and Ahmet Karakas)

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Interview:

Find a place in Ankara, which you think is important for city culture.
It should contribute to city life. If it is missed, the city will lose an important
asset. It may be an existing one, or already missed place like "Piknik" in Kizilay.

Samples from previous years:

Tavukcu Meyhanesi

Akman Boza

Segmenler Parki Caycisi Mehmet

Papazin Bagi

Ugur Pide

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Observation Report:

Write your detailed observations in a structured report format, after spending at least
one hour in the emergency department of a large hospital after midnight.

Basics of Qualitative Approach

Textbook:

Ian Dey: Qualitative Data Analysis, Routledge, London, 1993

Links: