Method

Although qualitative research methods are often identified with the social sciences more generally than with the discipline of law in particular, also lawyers and legal scholars do make use of qualitative research methods. Examples of this type of research are studies that examine people's perception of law and justice, the interactions between different courts, the effects of gender, or legal aid and access to justice. This introductory course will discuss different qualitative methods. It aims to provide students with an understanding of the purpose and appropriate use of the major qualitative research methods and to equip students with the skills to decide whether their research topic requires the use of qualitative research methods, to select the most appropriate research methods.

Mode of instruction

The full course consists of 8 lectures and 3 tutorials. If you only participate in the lectures, a total of 84 hours (3 ECTS) will be recorded. If you also participate in the tutorials, 140 hours (5 ECTS) will be recorded. In all instances, you are expected to actively participate in class and fulfil the assignments. The lectures and tutorials only take place physically in class.

Dates

The course starts in the week of 3 March and lasts until the week of 5 May 2025. You can find the schedule here.

Course objectives

Upon completing the course, students will be able to:

• Develop a solid research design that suits the research question at hand;
• Distinguish between qualitative interviewing, focus groups, participant observation, visual methods, discourse analysis and case study research;
• Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of each qualitative research strategy in its ability to answer different types of questions;
• Assess in which circumstances it is best to apply different qualitative research strategies;
• Compare the strengths and weaknesses of different qualitative research options and assess the quality of research design choices of scholars.

Compulsory literature

You can find the compulsory literature in the syllabus posted on Brightspace. 

Assignments

All assignments are to be handed in through Brightspace 48 hours before the start of the class unless indicated otherwise. In addition, some assignments will have to be printed and taken to class. If this is the case, this is indicated in the description of the assignment.

Registration

Please register here. 

Presence

Presence in class is mandatory. If you cannot attend one of the lectures, please email Judith van Uden, the course coordinator, beforehand:  j.j.m.van.uden@law.leidenuniv.nl