Course catalogue doctoral education - VT24

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Title Practical approaches to qualitative research - based on blended learning
Course number 2674
Programme Infektionsbiologi och global hälsa (BIGH)
Language English
Credits 7.5
Date 2021-08-23 -- 2021-11-12
Responsible KI department Institutionen för global folkhälsa
Specific entry requirements None
Purpose of the course Qualitative research is a powerful widely used methodology that allows researchers to understand why and how an event occurs in a given context. However, many health scientists are unfamiliar with theories and methods used in qualitative research. This course will contribute to fill this knowledge gap by providing the participants with practical skills to design, conduct, analyze and report qualitative studies.
Intended learning outcomes - Design a qualitative study including selecting the appropriate sampling procedure and data collection methods.
- Develop the data instruments including interview/focus groups discussions guides and observation protocols.
- Conduct the fieldwork.
- Analyze the data.
- Write up the findings.
- Critically discuss others' qualitative research, e.g. described in research proposals and manuscripts.
Contents of the course - Background on qualitative methodology.
- Theory of qualitative research.
- Sampling in qualitative research.
- Designing an interview/discussion guide.
- Ethical considerations in qualitative research.
- Writing a research protocol.
- Data collection methods (in-depth interviews, focus groups discussions and observation).
- Alternative methods of data collection.
- Analysis of qualitative data.
- Trustworthiness and validity.
- Other approaches to interpretation: Phenomenology, narrative research, oral history.
- Qualitative research in evaluation.
- Critical review of literature.
- Ongoing development as qualitative researcher.
Teaching and learning activities The course will be taught with a blended learning approach, which will combine self-study and face-to-face practical training sessions. Students will be able to access course materials and interact with each other through a common e-learning platform. Practical sessions will be conducted face-to-face where a theoretical and practical training will be provided in the three dominant qualitative data collection methods, including discussion of examples used in studies. In addition, the students will conduct individual assignments that will allow them to improve their skills.
Compulsory elements Participation in practical sessions, on-line lectures and discussions is compulsory. Non-participation will result in additional assignments at the discretion of the course tutor.
Examination Four assignments are to be done during the course. The first three assignments will take the students through a full mini research project. The first assignment will be to write a qualitative research protocol, the second to conduct two individual depth interviews and transcribe these and the third to analyze the interview transcripts. The fourth assignment will be to write a critical review of a published qualitative paper.

There will be a written examination at the end of the course, which will be emailed to the students to be returned within 48 hours.

In order to obtain a pass for the whole course, students must obtain a pass in the four assignments and in the written examination.


Literature and other teaching material RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS:
Silverman, D. (Ed) (2010) Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice (3rd ed). Sage Publications: London. [Van Schaik R489.95; Kalahari.com R454.72]
Durrheim, K., TerreBlanche, M. & Painter, D. (2010) Research in Practice: Applied Methods for the Social Sciences (2nd ed). University of Cape Town Press: Cape Town. [Van Schaik 438.95; Kalahari.com R594.22]

FURTHER RECOMMENDED READING:
Pope, C. & Mays, N. (2006). Qualitative Research In Health Care. Wiley Blackwell.
Ulin, P., Robinson, E. & Tolley, E. (2005) Qualitative Methods in Public Health: A Field Guide for Applied Research. Jossey-Bass: San Francisco.
Davies, M.B. (2007). Doing a successful research project: Using qualitative or quantitative methods. Palgrave Macmillan: London.
Silverman, D. (2005) Doing Qualitative Research. Sage Publications: London.
Cresswell, J. (2006). Qualitative Inquiry And Research Design: Choosing Among Five Traditions. Sage Publications: London.
Number of students 8 - 15
Selection of students Selection will be based on 1) the relevance of the course syllabus for the applicant's doctoral project (according to written motivation), 2) start date of doctoral studies (priority given to earlier start date)
More information The course is a blended learning course combining face-to-face and pre-recorded online lectures. Face-to-face lectures will be conducted on August 23rd (half a day) and on the practical week. The practical week will be held from September 27th to October 1st. Participation in the practical week is mandatory.
Additional course leader Dr. Donald Skinner is a Director within the Human and Social Capabilities division of the Human Science Research Council South Africa. He holds an MA in clinical psychology and a PhD in psychology from the University of Cape Town (UCT). His PhD research focused on behaviour theory in relation to HIV prevention.
Latest course evaluation Course evaluation report
Course responsible Mariano Salazar
Institutionen för global folkhälsa

mariano.salazar@ki.se
Contact person Mariano Salazar
Institutionen för global folkhälsa

mariano.salazar@ki.se