Cursos / 2º Ciclo / Faculty of Law :: Criminology

MÉTODOS QUALITATIVOS EM CRIMINOLOGIA (AVANÇADO) - 2025/2026

1º curricular year
Semestralidade: 1st semester
ECTS: 4

Teachers

Leading Teacher: Prof. Doutora Fátima Rodrigues
Assistant Professor: Prof. Doutora Fátima Rodrigues

Class type and School hours

Teórico-prática : 1 Horas

Teaching Language

Portuguese

Main Aims/Objectives

Know the emergence and developments of qualitative research in the fields of social sciences and criminology; recognize the specific characteristics of study objects that necessitate the use of qualitative methods (QM); know how to use QM in criminological research; understand the advantages of using qualitative data analysis (QDA) software.

Specific Aims/Objectives

Recognize how qualitative methods (QM) reveal complexities in criminal issues.
Study examples of research where QM is applied in criminology to recognize their specificities.
Use coding and categorization techniques to analyze qualitative data.
Explore features of Qualitative Analysis software.
Develop a research proposal that includes the choice of qualitative method.

Skills to be acquired

Ability to synthesize theoretical and conceptual approaches from which data collection and analysis instruments are constructed.
Basic skills in designing and applying data collection instruments (interview guides; data collection grids).
Ability to discuss the collected data.
Basic data analysis skills using appropriate software.

Teaching Procedures

The teaching methodology combines the presentation of the course content with the analysis of scientific articles that are representative of qualitative research, as well as practical exercises that allow students to practice and apply the knowledge acquired.

Programme

1. Introduction to Qualitative Research (QR)
1.1. Genesis and evolution of QR - historical and epistemological framework;
1.2. Main types and characteristics of qualitative methods;
1.3. Ethical issues.

2. Qualitative Research in the Study of Crime, Deviance, and Social Control
2.1. Qualitative Approaches to Contemporary Issues in Criminology

3. The Qualitative Research Process
3.1. Planning the research process;
3.2. Theory, delimitation of the object of study, and initial research question;
3.3. Relationship between the object of study, methodology, and data collection instruments.

4. Sampling strategies in QR.

5. Data collection methods:
5.1. Observation;
5.2. Interview;
5.3. Life histories;
5.4. Document analysis.

6. Data analysis:
6.1. Types of qualitative data analysis;
6.2. Content analysis: general notions.
6.3. Data processing through qualitative data analysis software.

Evaluation Type

The assessment is conducted through the development of written and oral exercises carried out throughout the semester, a midterm examination, and a final examination.

Teaching Resources

Scientific articles
Qualitative data analysis software

Sustainability Objectives

SDG 4 - Quality Education: Learning qualitative research methods enhances critical and analytical skills, contributing to quality education.
SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities: Investigating crime and deviance can help understand socioeconomic inequalities, promoting social justice.
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Studying crime and social control with qualitative methods can support the development of policies aimed at peace and justice.

Keywords

Qualitative research
Qualitative criminology

Main Bibliography

Complementary Bibliography