Full course description
The course introduces students to qualitative inquiry, methods, and data collection techniques. Participants will explore the nature of qualitative inquiry, including different theoretical traditions in qualitative research and analysis. They will learn when and how researchers use qualitative data collection techniques, including observation, participant observation, interviews, and focus groups, to collect qualitative data. The course encourages participants to consider validity, reliability, reflexivity, positionality, and the importance of cultural responsiveness in qualitative research.
- Discuss the nature of qualitative inquiry and different qualitative research and analysis traditions.
- Explain when and how researchers use qualitative data collection techniques including observation, participant observation, interviews, and focus groups.
- Identify the kinds of data gathered through different qualitative data collection techniques.
- Discern validity and reliability as these relate to qualitative data collection.
- Appreciate potential ethical issues in qualitative data collection, including reflexivity, positionality, cultural responsiveness, and protecting human subjects.
- Consider approaches to qualitative data analysis and reporting.
Course Format:
This course is an online, on-demand and self-paced offering.
Course Duration:
10 contact hours
Completion Credentials:
A digital credential issued by American University consisting of a certificate of completion and a digital badge will be issued to you upon successfully completing the course.
Policies and Processes
Refunds:
The following is the refund policy for courses registered through our Professional and Lifelong Learning Portal (https://american.catalog.instructure.com/).
Learners will be eligible for a refund (minus any non-refundable fees) if they drop a course and request a refund no later than the date the course starts as per the dates in Canvas and/or Canvas Catalog platforms. If a learner registered for a course after the start date, they will be ineligible for a refund.
Learners registered for on-demand courses without a start date will be eligible for a refund if the course is dropped and a refund is requested within 24 hours of registration and when there is no record of page views or participation in the Canvas Platform.
Refund requests will be denied if requested after a course’s start date, 24 hours after registration in the case of on-demand courses without a start date, or when there is a record of page views or participation in the canvas Platform.
Payments and fees:
For payments with credit cards, debit cards or bank accounts, the tuition cost includes a non-refundable 4% administrative fee. In case an eligible refund is requested, the net funds returned will be the tuition minus 4%.
Notice about AU Non-Credit Courses:
Non-credit courses are not recorded in American University transcripts. No credit is earned from these courses and grades are not posted. Learners enrolled in Non-Credit courses will not receive an AU ID or have access to services and or facilities reserved for AU students. Access to the AU library system will be available to all members of the greater Washington DC area through visitor services. See the link for more information https://www.american.edu/library/services/visitors.cfm
For questions or help regarding this course, contact the Lifelong Learning team at lifelonglearning@american.edu.