Douglas wrote:
> What is taught in all these training courses in QDA software that we keep
> hearing about on this list? Do they learn techniques to use the software by
> itself, or is this embedded in some sort of training in the theory of
> qualitative methods. Are there different training courses for people with
> different levels of knowledge about qualitative theory? Or is this left to
> the participant to work out?
I just taught a 2-day workshop last week and attended one this week. I had
planned to include two theoretical blocks, but we only discussed one on the
first day on various methods. tradtions and steps of analysis. On the second
day we figured it was more important to spend time on the technical side of
things as time was getting short.
The problem was that the group consisted of a number of beginners who had no
idea about QDA software nor about qualitative methods. Others had worked with
the software already and had some theoretical knowledge as well. For those the
theoretical blocks would have been boring. The solution in the future will be
to offer a 3-day course with a first introductory day for the novices including
theorectial blocks as well as a general intro in the software.
With regard to the workshop I attended this week, the same thing happened. The
planned block on the theoretical underpinnings was left out because other
things were more important as they were closer to the actual topic of the
workshop. As an "in-house" solution (this all took place at my home
university), we have now decided to offer a seminar on just the theoretial
foundations.
In short, yes, it is happening that some of those who do teach QDA software
also include methodolgical parts and try to think of how to improve it and how
to best offer it in combination with the technical side of things.
The other issue is how well the methods, theory and software issues are
combined in university courses. I do think that we will see some improvements
there in the future and I have already seen a number of very interesting
courses that are offered at various places.
Susanne
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Susanne Friese
Qualitative Research & Consulting
http://www.quarc.de
Alte Dorfstr. 71A
70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Lehrstuhl für Haushalts-und Konsumökonomik
Universität Hohenheim (530/1)
70593 Stuttgart, Germany
Tel: +49 (0)711 45 00 21
Fax: +49 (0)711 459 2870
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