In this course, students will develop the necessary skills to conceptualize, plan, and execute interview-based projects. We will cover topics such as fine-tuning a research idea, formulating research questions, designing a rigorous research plan, navigating the IRB process, recruiting respondents, creating the interview guide, conducting interviews, analyzing and writing up data, and managing fieldwork study relationships. We will also consider reflexivity, ethics, and the complexities of interviewing various populations. Each week, participants will spend the first portion of the allotted time discussing course readings and receiving practical instruction from the professor on some aspect of the research process. During the second portion of the class each week, we will workshop one or two student projects based on the status of the work: early conception, fieldwork underway, data analysis and write up underway. In preparation for the workshop time, each student will take a turn submitting a short document (e.g. draft of research questions, interview guide, etc) for the group to review and discuss in class.

This class is reserved for sociology doctoral students (including students in the sociology joint PhD program with social work or public policy) of all levels (first-year students to dissertators).

Books required for the class:
1. Watkins-Hayes, Celeste. 2019. Remaking a Life: How Women Living with HIV/AIDS Confront Inequality. Berkeley: University of California Press.
2. Lareau, Annette. 2021. Listening to People: A Practical Guide to Interviewing, Participant Observation, Data Analysis, and Writing It All Up. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Intended Audience:

This class is reserved for sociology doctoral students (including students in the sociology joint PhD program with social work or public policy) of all levels (first-year students to dissertators).