Qualitative Methodology and Analysis
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| EPID4012 | Epidemiology and Public Health | 4 | 10 | Spring UK |
- Code
- EPID4012
- School
- Epidemiology and Public Health
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
Qualitative research methods are increasingly recognised as making an important contribution to understanding people’s behaviour and health.
This module introduces the language and concepts in this field, including the philosophical underpinnings of the qualitative research approach and this and how this converges with and diverges from quantitative approaches.
The focus then moves to designing and appraising qualitative studies, where concepts such as formulating research questions, sampling and bias are considered.
The module will also introduce the spectrum of data collection methods (e.g. interviews, focus groups, observations, documents) and analytical approaches (e.g. thematic analysis) that we can use to help manage, synthesise, interpret and report the data collected, including software that can facilitate this process.
The module provides students ample opportunities to learn and read about, and to undertake practical exercises relating to commonly used and emergent qualitative methods relevant to public health.
Structured participatory activities will be used to enable students to apply the concepts and knowledge areas covered.
Target Students
Primarily postgraduate students on the Master of Public Health, Master of Public Health (Global Health) and Master of Public Health (Research Methods) and MSc Health Psychology. Places will be available to new staff and PhD students in School of Medicine who require training as part of their research role.
Classes
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 12 weeks
• 24 hours of lectures with discussion and small group activities, across the Semester. • 50 hours of compulsory reading and further self-directed background reading. • Additional private study.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework 1: Coursework (2,500 words)
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The aim of the module is that students develop:an understanding of the basic concepts of qualitative research, and of the relations between quantitative and qualitative research an understanding of how qualitative research can be used to investigate matters pertinent to public healthbasic skills in appraising qualitative research papers and reportspreliminary skills in designing qualitative research – in terms of recognising the sorts of questions and areas of investigation relevant to qualitative research, and appropriately selecting methods of data collection and analysispreliminary skills in conducting and writing up collection and analysis of qualitative data.Objectives:To enable the students to understand and make sense of the purpose and methods of qualitative research To enable students to recognise and reflect on the debates and controversies within qualitative researchTo provide students with principles and a framework with which to critically appraise qualitative research reportsTo enable students to identify and describe a range of methodological approaches and research methods commonly used in qualitative research To give students practical experience of applying their learning.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding. All students must be able to demonstrate:
- recognition of the underlying concepts and philosophical underpinnings of qualitative (health related) research, and how these differ to the quantitative approach
- knowledge of the principles of critically appraising qualitative research
- understanding of the sort of topics and questions amenable to qualitative research and knowledge of public health related research issues that have been addressed through qualitative research
- knowledge of the key concepts to consider when designing a qualitative study, including sampling, bias and understanding of the role of the researcher knowledge of a range of methods of qualitative research data collection and data analysis, including the use of software to facilitate data management
- knowledge of how to search (electronically) for and identify qualitative research publications pertinent to public health
Skills and other attributes
- ability to identify topics and issues in their own area of interest that would be amenable to qualitative research
- ability to identify suitable qualitative research methods through which to investigate such topics
- ability to read and critically appraise qualitative research in a structured and systematic way
- ability to undertake interviews, transcription and organisation of data, and to perform preliminary analyses of these data using a qualitative approach
Professional practical skills. Students will be expected to be able to:
- search for and identify qualitative research relevant to public health issues
- appraise the relevance and rigour of this research
- seek, reflect upon, and utilise methodological texts and examples in order to plan and design qualitative data collection and analysis
- make in depth observations and reflections upon qualitative data
- organise and present data and observations in an organised and coherent manner
- understand and employ terminology used in this field
- work independently and to deadlines
- prepare, deliver and discuss time-limited verbal presentations and written presentations.
Transferable (key) skills. Students will be expected to be able to:
- exercise initiative, integrity and personal responsibility in conducting their professional role
- collect, organise and store data, information and analytic materials in a systematic and productive manner
- communicate simple and complex knowledge or arguments both orally and in writing, discussing appropriately
- use electronic information systems to communicate, retrieve and send information and analyse data, including email, word-processing and the WWW.
- be independent learners engaged in continuing professional development and with the ability to evaluate and assess personal abilities, reflect on individual and group performance and seek help and advice when necessary.