The purpose of this course is to provide graduate students with an introduction to qualitative inquiry and its application in special education. Students will learn about the different types of qualitative research designs including narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study, and the philosophical assumptions and interpretive frameworks. Students will learn about the process of designing a qualitative study as well as the process of conducting qualitative research. Students will learn and practice collecting and analyzing qualitative data through an interview and observation. Students will also learn how to establish rigor in qualitative studies; discuss strategies for ensuring quality, credibility and trustworthiness; and practice writing and presenting qualitative research.