GERO 804 Advanced Qualitative Research Methods in Gerontology

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For further assistance with your assignment, ask at the Belzberg Library Reference Desk or contact Nina Smart, Liaison Librarian for Gerontology (778.782.5043 (Tuesdays and Thursdays) / nsmart@sfu.ca) Monday to Thursday at Belzberg Library or Ask a Librarian. 

 

Instructor:  Dr. Habib Chaudhury
Telephone:  778-782-5232
Email: chaudhury@sfu.ca
 

Course description:

"This course will examine qualitative methods in social science research with an emphasis on gerontology. We will begin with a discussion of the epistemological assumptions in qualitative methodology and comparative strengths/weaknesses of alternative approaches..."

Methodology

 

 Sage Research Methods Online  (SRMO)
"designed to answer methods questions that arise during the various steps of the research process, including the literature search, review, research design, data collection, analysis, and write up". Contains  Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Journal articles Video and some datasets. See For useful content see Methods Map → Qualitative Research or click on the Little Blue Books icon for works on qualitative research.  Sample video: "Researching Relationships, Health & Aging Using Longitudinal Data Analysis"; sample book chapter: "Interviewing Older People"

SFU Gerontology theses and capstone projects and look under their Methodologies section

Proquest Dissertations and Theses Abstracts and Index  Excellent resource for seeing how other grad students around the world did their research. 

Finding Books

 

  • Doing research in the real world [print] - a comprehensive and accessible overview for developing research projects from planning to writing-up your findings
  • Fundamentals of social research  [print] - Canadian textbook providing an introduction to research methods
  • Handling qualitative data: a practical guide [print] - a thorough introductory text for qualitative research, providing detailed discussion for conducting, analyzing, and interpreting research
  • NVivo 10 essentials: your guide to the world's most powerful data analysis software  [print] - guidebook for using NVivo 10, software designed for qualitative research analysis
  • The practice of qualitative research  [print]  "a mix of theoretical approaches for qualitative methods practice that ranges from the interpretive tradition to critical perspectives"
  • Qualitative data analysis: a methods sourcebook [print] - authoritative text on qualitative research methods
  • Qualitative data analysis from start to finish  [print] - a guide to qualitative research that provides readers guidance throughout their study

Sample catalogue subject headings:

Finding journal articles

 

General database search tips:

  • truncation, e.g. mobil*
  • syntax: AND to narrow and OR  to broaden search
  • pearl-growing, or starting with a good article and finding more (see YouTube tutorial, which uses an EBSCO database)
  • search the database Thesaurus to find useful subject headings
  • research is generally not a straight line, but iterative searching
  • More search tips in How to find journal articles

To find research articles, use the following databases:

Ageline Major article database for social gerontology
Find research articles: click on the Thesaurus link at the top of the page, then search:  Research Techniques to find all the different types of research methods covered in Ageline Sample terms: Qualitative Research; Life History Research; Participant Observation; Research Diaries

CINAHL Complete  Database for research articles related to the study of nursing and allied health.
Sample term: Qualitative Studies

Full list of Gerontology Databases

 

You can also browse the following journals to find articles:

Websites and other useful resources