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Students will be acquainted with the specificities of qualitative research methods and will have been trained in their practical application. The principal focus will be on Qualitative Content Analysis by Mayring.

First, the seminar will provide an overview of qualitative research methods and its pros and cons in relation to the quantitative approach will be explained. Qualitative Content Analysis by Mayring will be introduced as the currently most influential qualitative method  with the help of examples. In a next step, working groups will be formed who will conduct interviews with fellow students and other respondents with respect to a current research question and transcribe the text of the interviews. In the further course of the seminar students will be guided to evaluate their interviews by Qualitative Content Analysis. Partly, this will be done while being present in the seminar, in part independently at home. During the last seminar session, results will be presented by the working groups.

Presentation and discussion (1st appointment). During the consecutive sessions, the students' independent practical work performed in the meantime will be supervised and guided. During the last session, students will present their results.

Continuous assessment.

Krueger, R. A. & Casey, M. A. (2000). Focus groups. A practical guide for applied research. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Mayring, P. (2002). Einführung in die qualitative Sozialforschung (5. Aufl.). Weinheim: Beltz.

Mayring, P. (2008). Qualitative Inhaltsanalyse. Grundlagen und Techniken (10. Aufl.). Weinheim: Beltz.

Mayring, P. & Gläser-Zikuda (Hrsg.) (2005). Die Praxis der Qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse. Weinheim: Beltz.

Lamnek, S. (2006). Qualitative Sozialforschung (4. Aufl.). Weinheim: Beltz.

Rubin, H. J. & Rubin, I. S. (2005). Qualitative interviewing. The art of hearing data. Thousand Oaks: Sage.