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IEMS 340: Qualitative Methods in Engr Systems


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Prerequisites

DSGN 106-1 and DSGN 106-2, or consent of instructor for students who are not degree candidates. 

Description

Use of field research methods to solve management problems. Students define projects, design field studies and pilot tests of data collection instruments, and present results. This course counts towards the major program requirement for Management Science electives for IE majors. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Understand the foundation of field methods in management science
  • Examine secondary data to formulate field research questions
  • Design and conduct a pilot qualitative study to understand human dynamics in an organization, system, or process
  • Apply basic qualitative research methods in a complex real-world setting
  • Analyze and interpret qualitative data results
  • Summarize and present field project research results

TOPICS

  • Conceptual frameworks
  • Social networks
  • Introduction to qualitative data collection and analysis
  • Decision analysis
  • Validity
  • Ethical considerations

MATERIALS

Required text: Maxwell, J. (2013). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach, Edition 3. Sage: Thousand Oaks, CA.

Additional readings: Supplementary readings, articles or book chapters will be posted on Canvas for you to access online.