Concentrations

Qualitative Methods Concentration (QUAL)

The Qualitative Methods Concentration focuses on qualitative research design, methods, and data analysis. It provides methodological training for students and researchers through formal coursework, qualitative data analysis software workshops (ATLAS.ti) and speaker events.

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

Concentration Requirements

  • Complete a minimum of 15 credits (minimum grade of 3.5 in each course)
    • Minimum 10 credits from Methods courses
    • Minimum 5 credits from Theory or Gateway courses
  • Complete at least 2 Atlas.ti Data Analysis workshops.
  • Attend a minimum of 2 Speaker Series events.

How to Apply

Step 1: Students must declare their intention to complete the QUAL Concentration by filling out the planning form and submitting it to spdr@uw.edu. All forms must be approved by academic advisors at the undergraduate level and faculty advisors or committee chairs at the graduate level.

Step 2: The Steering Committee will review and approve all planning forms during the second week of each academic quarter. We will then confirm with students that their form has been approved. Students should then start completing the requirements.

Step 3: Once the student has completed all requirements, the student should complete the checklist for completion  and submit it to spdr@uw.edu along with a copy of their unofficial transcripts. The Committee will review the checklist and unofficial transcript before granting the QUAL concentration.

The course list below is inexhaustive and many courses change year to year. If you believe a course you have taken or plan to take should qualify for the QUAL concentration, you can petition the steering committee. Send an email to spdr@uw.edu and include the course name, description and syllabus.

*Some exceptions for extraordinary circumstances can be made to the requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Questions about the forms or processes should be directed to spdr@uw.edu.

Methods Courses

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

Minimum 10 credits.

  • 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.

Minimum 5 credits from Theory or Gateway courses.

  • 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)
  • HSERV 538-9 – Evaluation and Community Organizing (6)
  • JSIS 595 – Research Tutorial: Research Methods & Design (5)
  • NMETH 582 – Qualitative Research Inquiry and Methods (4)
  • PHI 513 – Analytic Skills for Public Health II (3)
  • 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.

Minimum 5 credits from Theory or Gateway courses.

  • 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)