This course will introduce students to a variety of research
techniques that investigate the quality, rather than the quantity, of
interactions.  Techniques will range from interviewing to
videotaping.  In addition to studying various ways of collecting
qualitative data, we will also study the analysis and presentation of
qualitative research.  The process is paramount.

Therefore, every effort will be made to address the concerns of
students and prepare them to carry out their own qualitative
research.  We will also spend lots of time discussing our research
experiences with respect to articles that we have read for this
course and others.

Each class session will focus on one qualitative method, such as
interviewing.  Students will read four articles about that method,
and take turns writing one-page summaries of an article before each
class, which they will then e-mail to their classmates and teacher.
These summaries will count for 50% of the course grade.  Each student
will also have to write a final paper, which may take one of these
three forms: (1) An empirical analysis of qualitative data gathered
by the student; (2) An empirical analysis of qualitative data
supplied by the instructor; (3) A methological paper suitable for
submission to a journal. The paper is worth 50% of the course grade;
no incompletes or extensions will be given.