Date/Time
Date(s) - 13/10/2026 - 15/10/2026 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Audience:
NARTI Online Training & Development
Analysing Qualitative Data Masterclass
With Professor David Silverman
13-15th October 2026 (10.00-12.30 UK time, all days)
Online via Zoom
Summary:
Qualitative researchers often try to do the same as quantitative research but with smaller samples. The challenge is to make qualitative research more credible than poor journalism.
This interactive masterclass is relevant to PhD students and early career researchers and more experienced researchers who want to do qualitative research and to write it up rigorously and effectively. It offers lectures covering the latest approaches to key areas of qualitative research:
- Majority and minority versions of qualitative research
- Analysing interviews [failures in interview research; how to improve data analysis]
- Analysing documents and digital data [these are primary, naturalistic data which can be analysed effectively]
- Theorising with qualitative data [avoiding theorising through literature reviews; examples of theorising with data]
- A few simple rules for effective research
The workshop will consist of 4.5 hours of lectures, followed by Q&As. On the last day, there will be an opportunity to ask questions about your own research, so please come prepared.
Prior viewing:
A webinar where Professor Silverman is interviewed about his ideas about qualitative research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YNjau5M4Lk
Schedule:
The course will be taught over three mornings:
Tuesday October 13
10.00 Lecture 1: What counts as qualitative research?
10.40 Q&A followed by short break
11.10 Lecture 2 Analysing interview data
12.10-12.30pm Q&A
Wednesday October 14
10.00 Lecture 3 Analysing documents and digital data
11.00 Q&A
11.15 Short break
11.30 Lecture 4 Theorising with qualitative data
12.15-12.30 Q&A
Thursday October 15
10.00 A few simple rules for effective research
10.45 Q&A
11.00 short break
11.15 Open session: an opportunity for you to ask questions about any aspect of your own research
12.15 Course finishes
Biography:
Prof David Silverman is Visiting Emeritus Professor at Leeds University Business School, Professor Emeritus in the Sociology Department at Goldsmiths College, London Visiting Professor in the King’s College Business School, University of London and the Business School, University of Technology, Sydney as well as Adjunct Professor at QUT, Faculty of Education. He has authored 15 books and over 60 journal articles on qualitative research, ethnography and conversation analysis. Thirty of his students have successfully completed their PhD and three are now full Professors.
How to register your interest:
If you are able to commit to attending the masterclass, please register your interest via the link at the top of the page. Places are limited so please only register if you can participate fully.
Guest lecture:
On Friday October 16, you are welcome to attend an online lecture and Q&A with Professor Silverman [10.00-11.30 UK time] on Instances or Sequences in Qualitative Data. Details will be circulated via your schools, and you will also be able to register via the NARTI events page: Events – Northern Advanced Research Training Initiative (NARTI)