Aim and Content

This is an in-depth course in qualitative methods for international public health professionals to develop skills in the use of different qualitative research methods. The course aims to prepare the students for the use of qualitative research in cross-cultural work dealing with sensitive public health issues.

The course gives an overview of qualitative research designs and presents various qualitative research methods and approaches. The course will demonstrate the use of these methods in the planning of health promotive and preventive interventions. Different approaches in coding and analysis of data obtained from qualitative research will be demonstrated and practiced in exercises. The strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research approaches will be discussed. The course includes both taught and practice sessions. Students will design a mini research project, will apply qualitative methods in a fieldwork research exercise and will report on the findings in groups. At the end of the course students will write an individual paper.

The main topics covered in the lectures/seminars:

• Characteristics of qualitative research
• Strategies of inquiry
• Data collection methods: In-depth interview, Focus Group Discussion and Participant observation
• Participatory research and rapid rural appraisal
• How to design a qualitative research project
• How to develop interview guides
• How to report data: thick descriptions
• Confidentiality issues and informed consent
• Qualitative data analysis with particular emphasis on content analysis
• Rigour and trustworthiness in qualitative research

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students should be able to:

• Explain the characteristics of qualitative research
• Discuss the main qualitative research methods (in-depth interview, focus group discussion, participant observation) and the rationale for their use in enhancing practical international health work
• Recognise the strengths and limitations of qualitative research methods
• Design a qualitative research project using one or more of these qualitative research methods
• Apply the principles for coding and analysis of data obtained through the use of qualitative methods.
• Assess the quality of qualitative research (rigour and trustworthiness)
• Plan a study using qualitative research or mixed methods design and critically discuss methodological and analytical challenges in an individual paper.

Course offered (semester)

Spring

Course Unit Level

Master and PhD

Access to the Course Unit

Open to all registered students at Master and/or PhD level at the University of Bergen.

Students admitted to a Master´s Degree Programme may also join this course (e.g. tropEd European Network).

Pre-requirements

Good working knowledge of English (TOEFL score of at least 550 points paper-based or 213 points computer-based, or an equivalent approved test). This course is mainly for PhD candidates, but students admitted to a Master¿s Degree Programme may also join the course (e.g. tropEd European Network).

Teaching Methods

• Taught and practice sessions in the classroom: An interactive seminar-like approach. Students will participate in discussion, exercises and role play
• Individual interview exercise: Students will prepare an interview guide, interview a peer and write one page on reflections.
• Individual thick description exercise: Students will write a one page description of a given phenomenon.
• Group assessment of qualitative research: Students will assess and present a research articles based on qualitative research methods
• Mini research group exercise: Students will study in small groups to formulate, develop and carry out a small qualitative research project using one or more of the methods discussed in the course. Students will analyze the results and present the project.
• Students will write an individual paper on the use of qualitative research methods in their planned research project including a critical appraisal of methodological challenges

Compulsory Requirements

Attendance of all sessions

Assessment methods

• Group mini research project report presented in class and submitted on MySpace (weighted 25%)
• Individual reflection on the group mini research project (max 1000 words) (weighted 25%)
• Individual paper on the use of qualitative research methods in a planned research project with a critical appraisal of methodological challenges (weighted 50%)
• Students or groups who do not pass the course requirements will get the opportunity to hand in a revised version of 1) the mini-research exercise 2) the individual reflection or 3) the individual essay within 2 weeks.

Grading Scale

ECTS credits A-F (F = fail)

Place of Teaching

Centre for International Health, University of Bergen

Course Unit Evaluation

Students evaluate the teaching according to the quality assessment requirements of the University of Bergen. The evaluation method is through an online questionnaire (My Space).