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2025-2026 / PSYC5937-1

Qualitative research methods: theoretical foundations

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Bachelor in psychology and education : general3 crédits 

Lecturer

Maxime Morsa

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Qualitative research aims to study the nature, quality, and meaning of human experience through the exploration of individuals' discourses and narratives, or through observation in natural settings.

This course provides training in the theoretical foundations of qualitative research through the presentation of key theories (of experience, narrative, and inquiry), historically significant schools of thought and events (Chicago School, Symbolic Interactionism, Narrative Turn), as well as the diversity of qualitative approaches (phenomenology, grounded theory, narrative approaches, discourse analysis, participatory research, etc.). The course also introduces students to qualitative analysis of empirical data.

The goal is to understand and situate the value of producing knowledge in psychological sciences by using qualitative methods to document contemporary issues (health, justice, education, etc.).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

  • Situate qualitative research within a paradigmatic framework and the history of the human and social sciences

  • Understand theories of experience, narrative, and inquiry

  • Formulate and refine a general research question

  • Understand the strategies and characteristics of research interviews

  • Analyze a scientific article that uses qualitative methods

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Lessons require a very good level of the French language.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Theoritical input

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Required readings:

- Kivits, J. et Balard, F. (2016). Chapitre 2. La problématisation ou l'importance de penser sa question de recherche. Dans J. Kivits, F. Balard, C. Fournier et M. Winance Les recherches qualitatives en santé (p. 43-59). Armand Colin. https://doi.org/10.3917/arco.kivit.2016.01.0043.

- Sifer-Rivière, L. (2016). Chapitre 4. Enquêter par entretien : se saisir du discours et de l'expérience des personnes. Dans J. Kivits, F. Balard, C. Fournier et M. Winance Les recherches qualitatives en santé (p. 86-101). Armand Colin. https://doi.org/10.3917/arco.kivit.2016.01.0086.  

 

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )


Further information:

The final grade is based on a written exam consisting of two parts: the first part with closed-ended questions (multiple-choice questions - MCQs) and the second part with open-ended questions (OQs).

  • If the first part (MCQs) is failed, the second part (OQs) will not be graded, and a score of 0/20 will automatically be assigned to it. The overall grade will then be the average between the score of the first part and the score of 0/20.

  • If the first part (MCQs) is passed but the second part (OQs) is failed, the overall grade will be the average of the two scores.

  • If both parts are passed, the overall grade will be the average of the two scores.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

The teachers respond to electronic messages (emails) concerning this course under the following conditions:

  • The message is sent from an institutional address (ULiège).
  • The subject (title) of the message is preceded by [PSYC5914-1] (including brackets).
Messages that do not meet these two conditions will be ignored.

Association of one or more MOOCs