Course Outline

BUS514 Qualitative Research Methods

Course Coordinator:Jenna Campton (jcampton@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Qualitative business research is important in that it can incorporate context into the problem under study. It is a useful approach when little is known about the problem and more information is needed, and produces new knowledge about the phenomenon being explored in a business context. As with quantitative research, qualitative research relies on several methods of data collection and analysis. This course examines the various methods of qualitative research and provides some insights as to the most appropriate method for a given circumstance and context, and provides a practical opportunity to apply some of the methods explored.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 11 times
Online
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops (Recorded). 2hrs Week 1 11 times

Course Topics

  • Introduction to Qualitative Research
  • Qualitative Research Design
  • Methods of Qualitative Data Collection
  • Ethics and Quality in Qualitative Research
  • Data Analysis
  • Interpretation, Discussion and Writing Up

What level is this course?

500 Level (Advanced)

Engaging with new discipline knowledge and skills at an advanced level or deepening existing knowledge and skills within a discipline. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Develop understanding of the steps involved in qualitative research. Creative and critical thinker
2 Identify the best methodology for the selected qualitative research question Creative and critical thinker
3 Demonstrate qualitative research skills by completing a written report. Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
4 Develop ability to apply qualitative research techniques. Knowledgeable
Empowered
5 Apply appropriate ethical protocols to qualitative research Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in any honours program or postgraduate coursework program

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Students will be encouraged to actively engage in the workshop discussions and seek formative feedback from the lecturer on a weekly basis.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Written Piece Individual 50%
2,000 words.
Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Oral and Written Piece Individual 50%
12-15 minutes recorded presentation and written component (1,000 words).
Week 12 Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Qualitative Research Proposal
Goal:
To develop a research proposal providing an appropriate rationale and critique.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Students will develop a research proposal. This proposal will include justifying the proposed research, developing research questions, discussing a relevant theory/model/framework, and justifying the research methodology and design. Further details will be available on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Justification of research
1 2 3 4
2
Development of research aims
1 2 3 4
3
Application and justification of theory/model/framework
1 3 4
4
Critique and justification of proposed research methodology and design
2 4 5
5
Development of interview protocol
4 5
6
Communication and Academic integrity/referencing
3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving
All - Assessment Task 2:Qualitative Research Presentation
Goal:
To analyse qualitative data, interpret the results and present the findings.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Students will present the analysis of qualitative data, justify the process, and interpret the results using academic literature and a relevant theory/model/framework. Further details will be available on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Summary of research problem and aims
1
2
Justification of data analysis approach
2
3
Critical and thorough data analysis
3 4
4
Discussion of research findings
1 4
5
Discussion of research implications
1 4
6
Communication and Academic integrity/referencing
3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Sharon M. Ravitch,Nicole Mittenfelner Carl 2020 Qualitative Research n/a SAGE Publications, Incorporated

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: