COMM 6830

Qualitative Research Methods in Communication

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

Reviews qualitative methods used in communication research, including interviews, focus groups, fieldwork (ethnography), and case studies. Students practice the various methods so they can learn to apply them to their own research. Students also discuss how researchers analyze qualitative data and build theories from their observations.

Forbidden Overlaps COMM 6830, GDEV 3740, GDEV 5740

Enrollment Information Enrollment limited to: graduate and professional students.

Last 4 Terms Offered 2026SP, 2025SP, 2024SP, 2023SP

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to describe strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research.
• Students will be able to distinguish between different epistemological approaches within qualitative research.
• Students will be able to analyze the key steps in conducting qualitative research including access, sampling, data collecting, data analysis, and writing.
• Students will be able to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the class to an independent qualitative research project.

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