OBME 2230 - Analysing Qualitative Data for Social Science: A comprehensive overview of features and techniques

The topic of data analysis is wide and deep, and the decision on which method to use depends on a series of questions, including the specificities of research design. Generally speaking, data analysis includes a range of methods used after collecting your data. Qualitative research especially is susceptible to a series of factors such as researcher bias, subjective interpretation, and lack of generalizability, which can compromise research validity and reliability. Using appropriate analysis techniques is then key. Unfortunately, most manuals offer recipes based on theoretical or reconstructed examples, which do not allow us to grasp how analyses are actually conducted in concrete research; moreover, they tend to focus on technical operations corresponding to specific analysis approaches (coding using caqdas, use of text analysis software, etc.) without showing the content and range of preliminary operations that must necessarily be carried out to successfully conduct a qualitative analysis, and which are available to apprentice analysts. The seminar will provide students with methods and tools to effectively analyze their qualitative data in social science research, addressing the challenges commonly encountered in data analysis. We will explore various data analysis techniques, highlighting key challenges such as data quality issues, and providing practical tips and guidelines. More precisely, the seminar will first focus on “non assisted” analysis techniques. Dwelling on a series of textbook research in social science, we will discuss issues such as the analysis of the interviewer/interviewee relationship, the analysis of the argumentative resources deployed, generalization techniques, or different methods of reducing or transposing materials into analyzable data, according to different intellectual approaches (textual forms, use of tables, relational techniques, etc.). At the end of the first part of the seminar, students will be shown how hand-playing techniques can be a first step to other forms of analysis, through the implementation of CAQDAS software- which will be addressed again at the end of the semester. The course will rely on several types of sources: first, the materials available in the bank of qualitative surveys developed at Sciences Po- which will raise students' awareness about the range of available techniques and help them pick up the appropriate ones, from a diverse range of real examples, several of which will relate to the disciplinary concentrations of students. Second, textbook scientific articles and papers. Third, data produced by students themselves (see below- Assessment) As the seminar is strongly hands-on oriented, students will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct robust data analysis and reliable research in the social sciences.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
1. Have a comprehensive overview of qualitative data analysis' techniques and tools
2. Create an original and personal argumentation
3. Identify, explain and use adequately one or several qualitative data analysis' techniques

Professional Skills
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
1. Working with a group of people to achieve a shared outcome
2. Communicating effectively and adequately (orally and in writing)
3. Engaging in reflective and independent thinking
4. Analyzing information to increase understanding of an issue
5. Engaging in quality and reliable research processes

Guillaume GARCIA,Selma BENDJABALLAH

Séminaire

English

- In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 2 hours a week
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 10 hours a semester
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 20 hours a semester

Spring 2025-2026

In group: Students will share, within small groups (3), the transcription of an interview that they will have previously conducted. They will elaborate together the main axes of material analysis. They will present their main conclusions in class and hand back a written account. Oral presentation and participation will account for 80% of the final grade. Written paper will account for the other 20% of the final grade.

- All the resources, including readings, lists of indicative topics and some additional materials are available for download on the website https://moodle.sciences-po.fr/. Students are invited to visit it regularly.
- Grades will be e-mailed throughout the semester.