[Qualitative Research in Peace and Conflict Studies

Qualitative research is an integral part of political science, with case studies often providing the basis for our theorizing. This course addresses the key elements of qualitative methodology, from research design to different approaches to collecting and analyzing data. It enables students to become “both critical consumers and beginning producers” (Kellstedt and Whitten 2018) of scholarly research on politics. In doing so, the seminar familiarizes students with a wide range of qualitative methods, helping them develop an understanding of their diversity, strengths, and limitations while equipping them to devise their own research designs. It is divided into three parts. The first part addresses the fundamentals of qualitative research, including research design and case studies, while also paying attention to questions of research ethics and the use of (generative) AI. The second part of the seminar sheds light on different approaches to data collection, including interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic work. The third part delves into data analysis, covering different approaches from Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to process tracing and qualitative content analysis. The course is based on the premise that meaningful discussion of research methods also requires engagement with substantive content. Accordingly, it draws on current examples from peace and conflict studies (and adjacent fields) covering different world regions.

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