SDSU Center for Qualitative Research

Director:
Paul Sargent, Ph.D.
Department of Sociology
(619) 594-2783
sargent@mail.sdsu.edu
For Dr. Sargent's Courses, Click HERE

The Center for Qualitative Research, located within the Department of Sociology at San Diego State University, was created to promote the use of ethnographic and other field research methods in the quest to understand and explain important aspects of social organization.
Ethnography is the holistic study of social meanings, social relations, and social institutions through intensive field research involving both observation of, and close interaction with, the people studied. Ethnographers utilize a wide range of methods to gather data including participant observation, in-depth interviews, focus groups, photography, film, and videography. The primary objectives of the Center are to:

Create and sustain an interdisciplinary community of ethnographic scholars-those whose principle research focus is qualitative rather than quantitative.
Organize and facilitate workshops and colloquia focusing on the key issues facing researchers who engage in ethnographic projects such as methodological, epistemological, and ethical issues.
Provide a forum for the dissemination of the products of ethnographic research across all disciplines. In particular, the Center sponsors several symposia each academic year where faculty and students can showcase their work to an appreciative audience. In addition, the Center archives and publicly displays samples of ethnographic work.
Furnish a connection between the intellectual community of San Diego State University and surrounding communities by promoting locally relevant research