SPS312 Qualitative Research Methods
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Mar 03, 2026
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Political Science and International Relations
Aliaksandr Novikau
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
This course offers a rigorous examination of the methodological principles and practical applications of qualitative inquiry in the social sciences. Students will explore the philosophical underpinnings and paradigms that guide qualitative research, developing the skills to formulate relevant research questions and construct robust research designs. The curriculum covers a diverse range of data collection techniques, including semi-structured interviews, focus group dynamics, and ethnographic observation. Through a hands-on, semester-long research project, students will apply these methods to collect original data, utilizing systematic coding and interpretive frameworks to analyze their findings. Ultimately, the course prepares students to navigate ethical considerations in fieldwork and to effectively communicate complex social phenomena through scholarly writing and presentation.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Tracy, S. J. (2020). Qualitative research methods: Collecting evidence, crafting analysis, communicating impact (Second edition). Wiley-Blackwell.
Additional Literature
Additional readings are suggested by the end of each chapterTeaching Methods
Lectures
Class discussions
Assignments
Individual research
Presentations
And class exercises.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | NA |
| 2 | No class | N/A |
| 3 | Social science research | Tracy 1 |
| 4 | Qualitative social science research | Tracy 2 |
| 5 | Paradigms in qualitative research | Tracy 3 |
| 6 | Qualitative research design | Tracy 4 |
| 7 | Ethnography | Tracy 5 |
| 8 | Midterm exam | TBA |
| 9 | Fieldwork | Tracy 6 |
| 10 | Interviews | Tracy 7 |
| 11 | Focus groups | Tracy 8 |
| 12 | Focus group activities. Physical erosion and accretion | NA |
| 13 | Data analysis | Tracy 9-10 |
| 14 | Qualitative quality | Tracy 11 |
| 15 | Theorizing, writing, drafting, polishing, publishing, exiting and communicating | Tracy 12-14 |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPS312.1 | Course | Monday 15:00 - 17:50 | B F2.2 | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 14:00 - 15:00 | B F1.5 | |
| Wednesday | 11:00 - 14:00 | B F1.5 | |
| Thursday | 11:00 - 12:00 | B F1.5 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignments
AI: Consult InstructorAlignment with Learning Outcomes : LO1 LO2 LO3
Midterm exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : LO1 LO2 LO3
Participation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : LO1 LO2 LO3
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Class hours
42 hours ⏳ (14 week × 3 h)
Home study
42 hours ⏳ (14 week × 3 h)
Assignments preparation
56 hours ⏳ (7 week × 8 h)
Final exam preparation
5 hours ⏳ (1 week × 5 h)
Midterm exam preparation
5 hours ⏳ (1 week × 5 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [SPS312] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| SPS312 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | Junior Standing | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Aliaksandr Novikau | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Monday: 14:00-15:00 Wednesday: 11:00-14:00 Thursday: 11:00-12:00 |
|||||||
| anovikau@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | This course offers a rigorous examination of the methodological principles and practical applications of qualitative inquiry in the social sciences. Students will explore the philosophical underpinnings and paradigms that guide qualitative research, developing the skills to formulate relevant research questions and construct robust research designs. The curriculum covers a diverse range of data collection techniques, including semi-structured interviews, focus group dynamics, and ethnographic observation. Through a hands-on, semester-long research project, students will apply these methods to collect original data, utilizing systematic coding and interpretive frameworks to analyze their findings. Ultimately, the course prepares students to navigate ethical considerations in fieldwork and to effectively communicate complex social phenomena through scholarly writing and presentation. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Tracy, S. J. (2020). Qualitative research methods: Collecting evidence, crafting analysis, communicating impact (Second edition). Wiley-Blackwell. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Lectures, class discussions, assignments, individual research, presentations, and class exercises. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction | NA | ||||||||
| Week 2 | No class | N/A | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Social science research | Tracy 1 | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Qualitative social science research | Tracy 2 | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Paradigms in qualitative research | Tracy 3 | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Qualitative research design | Tracy 4 | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Ethnography | Tracy 5 | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Midterm exam | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Fieldwork | Tracy 6 | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Interviews | Tracy 7 | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Focus groups | Tracy 8 | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Focus group activities. Physical erosion and accretion | NA | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Data analysis | Tracy 9-10 | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Qualitative quality | Tracy 11 | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Theorizing, writing, drafting, polishing, publishing, exiting and communicating | Tracy 12-14 | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 10 | LO1, LO2, LO3 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Assignments | 7 | 70 | LO1, LO2, LO3 | Consult Instructor | |
| Midterm exam | 1 | 10 | LO1, LO2, LO3 | Not Allowed | |
| Participation | 1 | 10 | LO1, LO2, LO3 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Class hours | 3 | 14 | 42 | Home study | 3 | 14 | 42 | |||
| Assignments preparation | 8 | 7 | 56 | Final exam preparation | 5 | 1 | 5 | |||
| Midterm exam preparation | 5 | 1 | 5 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 27/03/2026 | |||||||||