Qualitative Methods for Social Scientists
This course introduces participants to the essentials of qualitative research methods in social science research. It blends a theoretical and practical orientation, with the two-fold goal of providing participants with tools to (a) become thoughtful consumers of social science research that uses qualitative methods; and (b) begin working towards designing and executing sound research projects using qualitative methods.
- Target group
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Lecturer
Superior
Non-academic staff
Researcher
Postdoctoral researcher
PhD candidate - Teachers
- Corinna Jentzsch (Associate professor) Jonah Schulhofer-Wohl (Senior assistant professor)
- Method
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Training course
Deadline registration: 13 January 2026
Course description
This is a three-day course, structured in two parts. Part I discusses what qualitative methods are suitable for, the logic of inference underlying qualitative research, and the most common within-case and cross-case research designs used in qualitative social science, including process tracing and controlled comparisons. Part II turns the attention toward specific methods for data collection and data analysis, covering participant observation, interviewing, focus groups, archival research, content analysis and coding techniques.
Mode of instructions
Mix of lectures, discussion and practical activities.
Reading List
A list of four books that are exemplars of some of the methods covered in the class will be provided. Participants must choose at least one book and read it as background for the course. In addition, a full syllabus will be released one month before the start date of the course. Participants are expected to prepare the material before each class meeting. This will entail preparation in the weeks before the course starts and during the course.
Entry requirements
None
Questions?
Contact Corinna Jentzsch: c.jentzsch@fsw.leidenuniv.nl, or Jonah Schulhofer-Wohl: j.b.schulhofer-wohl@fsw.leidenuniv.nl