Decision-Relevant Qualitative Methods Cluster (QUAL)

Building on a decade of experience with the qualitative methods cluster, the Decision-Relevant Qualitative Methods Cluster fosters policy-relevant skillsets through exposure to qualitative methods. It is ideal for students interested in policy analysis, diplomacy, consulting, intelligence, think tanks, NGOs, and applied research careers.

The cluster focuses on how policy-relevant knowledge is generated, not just what it says. Students learn how to design, conduct, and communicate qualitative analysis that is usable by decision-makers in government, business, and international organizations.

The cluster is also pioneering an understanding of coding-centered, AI-enabled qualitative analysis, preparing students for modern research environments.

Please contact SPDR@uw.edu if you have any questions.

Courses

• JSIS 223 Big Data and Social Change
• JSIS 300 Claims and Evidence in International Studies Research
• JSIS 310 Data Ethnography
• COM 351 Interviewing Principles and Practices
• COM 485 Fieldwork in Communication Studies
• JSIS 511 Research Design and Methods for International Studies
• JSIS 512 Qualitative Data Analysis
• JSIS 544 Applied Research Client Project
• POLS 504 Multi-Methods Field Research
• PUBPOL 525 Qualitative Case-Based Research Methods
• POLS 559 Qualitative and Mixed Methods

Core Themes

• Research design for policy and strategic decision-making
• Coding-centered qualitative analysis
• Interviews, document, participant observation, and case studies
• AI-assisted research workflows (including prompting and coding tools)
• Evidence synthesis and analytic judgement
• Translating qualitative research findings into briefs, memos, strategic assessments

What You Will Gain

• Practical skills in qualitative analysis used in policy and professional settings
• Training in decision-oriented research methods, not just academic writing
• Experience producing outputs that inform choices under uncertainty

Previous QUAL courses

The following is a resource list of qualitative research courses taught at UW, Seattle. What is offered may change from year to year.

Methods Courses

Methods courses delve deeply into and equip students to employ specific qualitative methods or techniques.

• ANTH 519 / GH 538 – Advanced Qualitative Research Methods in Anthropology and Public Health (5)
• ANTH 549 / DANCE 550 – Dance Ethnography (3)
• ANTH 550 – Ethnographic Field Techniques (5)
• COM 513 – Fieldwork Research Methods (5)
• COM 514 – Critical Discourse Analysis (5)
• COM 525 – Community Based Research Methods (5)
• GEOG 525 – Advanced Qualitative Methods in Geography (5)
• GH 531 – Practical Research & Evaluation Methods for Global Health (3)
• GH 538 – Advanced Qualitative Research Design and Methods in Global Health (3)
• GH 539 – Analyzing Qualitative Data (3)
• JSIS 512 – Qualitative Data Analysis (5)
• JSIS 595 – Research Tutorial: Qualitative Research (5)
• NMETH 583 – Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (4)
• NURS 576 – Assessment & Collaboration with Communities, Populations, and Systems (3)
• POL S 504 – Multi-Method Field Research (5)
• POL S 559 – Qualitative and Mixed Methods (5)
• PUBPOL 525 – Qualitative Case-Based Research Methods (4)

Gateway Courses

Gateway courses are broad umbrella courses that introduce a variety of qualitative methods and foreground research design principles.

• AIS 501 / GWSS 510 – Documentary Research Methods for the Social Sciences and Humanities (5)
• BIO A 525 – Research Methods & Study Design in Biocultural Anthropology (5)
• COM 527 – Global Communication Research Methods (5)
• EDPSY 586 – Qualitative Methods of Educational Research I (4)
• EDPSY 587 – Qualitative Methods of Educational Research II (4)
• FRENCH 590 – Qualitative Research Methods (5)
• JSIS 595 – Research Tutorial: Research Methods & Design (5)
• NMETH 582 – Qualitative Research Inquiry and Methods (4)
• SOC 582 – Doing Qualitative Research (3)
• SOCWL 581 – Qualitative Research: Methods and Designs (3)
• SOCWL 585 – Qualitative Methods in Social Work Research I (3)

Theory Courses

Theory courses focus on paradigms, epistemologies, and implications of research design and qualitative methods.

• B H 552 – Advanced Qualitative Methods (4)
• COM 597 – Special Topics: Comparative Social Research (5)
• GWSS 503 – Feminist Research and Methods of Inquiry (5)
• NMETH 588 – Mixed Methods Research for Health Sciences (4)
• SOCWL 586 – Qualitative Methods in Social Work Research II (3)