SFOK15010U NOT OFFERED SPRING SEMESTER 2016 - Advanced Qualitative Research Methods for Global Public Health

This advanced qualitative research methods course takes participants through the entire research process: from identifying a research area and the development of a research aim and objectives through to data collection, analysis, write-up and presentation of qualitative findings. With a focus on global public health, the course is structured around three themes: i) introduction to qualitative research approaches in global public health; ii) methods for the production of qualitative data in multicultural venues; and iii) developing and reporting on rigorous qualitative evidence to inform global public health practice and policy.

During the course participants will work individually or in pairs to set up and conduct a small qualitative study, drawing on the research approaches and methods introduced in the course. More information about the project will be made available at the start of the course.

The first part of the course introduces participants to qualitative research, with particular reference made to the role of qualitative research in global public health. It introduces participants to three qualitative research approaches and their contribution to global public health: The ethnographic research approach, the phenomenological research approach and the community-based participatory research approach. Also the role of theory in shaping qualitative evidence will be discussed in this part of the course. The lectures will equip the participants to develop a problem statement, a research aim and objectives, as well as connecting these with a research approach and analytical perspectives. The aim of the first part of the course is to help participants understand the instrumental role of study approaches and theory in defining and illuminating a qualitative issue.

The second part of the course introduces participants to a variety of data collection methods relevant to the research approaches introduced in part one. This includes i) individual and group interviews; ii) focus group discussions; iii) participant observation; iv) Photovoice ; v) participatory reflection and action tools; vi) the capturing of blogs, vlogs and other social media. Participants will be expected to make use of two qualitative methods in their project. The aim is to provide participants with the practical experience of using different methods and to spark reflection on opportunities, challenges and dilemmas related to each of their chosen methods.

The third and final part of the course equips participants with frameworks to critically appraise the quality and rigour of a qualitative study. It also introduces participants to thematic network analysis, which details a step-be-step procedure to reduce vast amounts of data to key and emerging themes. In preparation for the analysis of your data, participants will get the opportunity in class to thematically organize qualitative data.   

Ethical considerations will be discussed throughout the course.