Interpretive Research Methods

online course

"You will gain a practical understanding of the typical steps of an interpretive research process – from how to formulate an interpretive research question to how to present and document interpretive analyses.

Need to know
None, though basic knowledge of qualitative methodology and methods would be an advantage. The commitment time is approximately 45 hours, including readings and on-site participation.

In depth
The course covers different interpretive methods. You will learn to ‘read’ texts while becoming familiar with contemporary thinking about interpretation, narrative, and discourse.

The course focuses on narrative method, hermeneutics, phenomenology, discourse analysis, deconstruction method and genealogy. Its six objectives are to:

1.Examine the scientific criteria of interpretive research to teach you the basics of formulating an interpretive research question
2.Introduce issues of conceptualisation, theory, research design, and strategies of framing questions and selecting cases
3.Help you organise and process material through interpretive coding strategies
4.Teach you how to choose the best interpretation strategy for your research question
5.Explain how to condense and present interpretations
6.Draw conclusions from interpretive analyses.
Monday
Introducing interpretive methods

1.Welcome
2.Interpretation of what? Asking the ‘right’ question of the ‘right’ material
3.Selecting and collecting data suited to interpretation
4.Introduction of written assignment
5.Group exercise
Tuesday
Interpretive strategies, positions and methods I
Hands-on strategies for interpretation and analysis

1.Narrative methods
2.What’s your unit of analysis? Organising your data
3.What’s in your data? Reading your data
4.Group exercise on narrative, interpretive research strategies
Wednesday
Interpretive strategies, positions and methods II
Hands-on strategies for interpretation and analysis

1.Narrative methods
2.What’s your unit of analysis? Organising your data
3.What’s in your data? Reading your data
4.Group exercise on narrative, interpretive research strategies
Thursday
Interpretive strategies, positions and methods III
Hands-on strategies for interpretation and analysis

1.Discourse analysis
2.How to make sense of it?
3.Sorting your data using interpretive research strategies
4.Group exercise on contextualised, interpretive research strategies
Friday
Condensing and presenting interpretations
Drawing conclusions from interpretive analyses

1.Presentation of interpretive analyses
2.You only know what you (can) show – citations and displays
3.Scientific criteria
4.Documentation
5.Publication
6.Group exercise on conclusion-drawing and presentation of interpretive analysis
How the course will work online
The course includes pre- and post-class activities, along with in-class presentations.

Before the course, reading material and pre-recorded lectures will be available on the learning management system for you to access at your own pace. Send your topic-related questions in advance to the Instructor.

In-class activities include short lectures, peer feedback, group exercises and presentations.

After the course, you can create presentations supported by Instructor feedback on your projects."

Course leader

"Marie Østergaard Møller is Associate Professor at Aalborg University in Denmark.

Her research interests include social and political categories, categorisation, frontline work, welfare state research and classic social theory of solidarity.

Target group

This course is designed for a demanding audience (researchers, professional analysts, advanced students) and capped at a maximum of 12 participants, allowing the Instructor to cater to the specific needs of each individual.

Course aim

"You will gain a practical understanding of the typical steps of an interpretive research process – from how to formulate an Interpretive research question to how to present and document interpretive analyses.

The course introduces a broad spectrum of interpretive approaches, including narrative methods, discourse analysis, and deconstructive analytics. By understanding their logics and uses, you will be able to select a strategy that fits your own research question."

Credits info

4 EC
"You can earn up to four credits for attending this course.
3 ECTS credits – Attend 100% of live sessions and engage fully with class activities.
4 ECTS credits – Attend 100% of live sessions, engage fully with class activities and complete a post-class assignment."

Fee info

GBP 492: ECPR Member - check if your institution is a member on our website.
GBP 985: ECPR Non-Member

Scholarships

Funding applications for the 2024 ECPR Methods School Winter instalment are now closed. For more details on funding opportunities for ECPR's other events, please visit our website.