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60867-01 - Course: Qualitative Research in Sustainability Science (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Annika Sohre (annika.sohre@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This hands-on course will teach techniques of qualitative methods in the social sciences, with a particular focus on interviews and content analysis. It will include background and practical aspects of data collection and data analysis. Specifically, in plenary sessions participants will gain a background on qualitative methods, on data collection (e.g., sampling strategies, techniques for developing guidelines (“Leitfaden”), according to different research designs, techniques for conducting interviews, dos and don’ts, challenges, recording and transcriptions, ethics, etc.) and on data analysis (content analysis, reference to MaxQDA and other analytical methods like discourse analysis/ethnographic methods). |
| Learning objectives | By the end of the semester the participants will have acquired the skills to carry out interviews and content analysis in the field of sustainability research. |
| Bibliography | Recommendation (to orient yourself, details will be provided during the semester): Fahy, F., & Rau, H. (Eds.) (2013). Methods of Sustainability Research in the Social Sciences. London: Sage Publications. Kruse, J., & Schmieder, C. (2014). Qualitative Interviewforschung. Beltz Juventa. Mayring, P. (2004). Qualitative content analysis. A companion to qualitative research, 1(2004), 159-176. Moses, J. W., & Knutsen, T. L. (2012). Ways of knowing: Competing methodologies in social and political research (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C. M., & Ormston, R. (Eds.). (2013). Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. Sage. Weis, L., & Fine, M. (2000). Speed bumps: A student-friendly guide to qualitative research. Teachers College Press. |
| Comments | All MSD students have to attend a methods course in social science within the IRS module. By default they have to attend this course (60867 Kurs: Qualitative Research in Sustainability Science). Students with a social science background who can demonstrate that they already have the knowledge taught in this course may take an alternative class according to the details recorded in the medium-term syllabus/spring semester 2026. No other module allocation possible. Schedule: starts with an online kick-off meeting on 19. Feburary 2026: 12.15-14.00h! This course is offered by MSD. Dr. A. Sohre is a Senior Researcher of the Sustainability Research Group, Dep. of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and head of the research network "Sustainable Future" (Univ. of Basel). |
| Admission requirements | NO other students admitted. Only for MSD students (incl. MSD preparation semester) and those of the IJDSD. |
| Course application | Only for MSD-Students and those of the JIDSD. Course enrollment on online services should be completed by the beginning of the teaching period (withdrawal possible until Monday of teaching week five). |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Comments |
Kick-off: 19.02.2026. 12.15 - 14.00, online! For the rest of the semester, the teaching will be on-site. For details see below. |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 19.02.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Thursday 05.03.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Thursday 12.03.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Thursday 19.03.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Thursday 26.03.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Thursday 02.04.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Ostern |
| Thursday 09.04.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Thursday 16.04.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Thursday 23.04.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Thursday 30.04.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Thursday 07.05.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Thursday 14.05.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Auffahrt |
| Thursday 21.05.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Thursday 28.05.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Modules |
Module: Interdisciplinary Research in Sustainability (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Compulsory attendance in presence. Students will be divided into working groups to develop, collect data on and analyse interviews. Each group will present the results of their research and write a group report. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | University of Basel |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Nachhaltigkeitsforschung |