Qualitative Methods for Public Health

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Critically appraise qualitative studies.
• Design an effective qualitative proposal.
• Design effective qualitative studies and be able to understand and interpret interview talk.
• Present research findings appropriately.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Develop practical skills in conducting interview and focus group research, and in the utilisation of thematic analysis.
• Appraise, review and report qualitative research
• Explain the philosophical foundations of qualitative research and how methodological considerations influence the research process.
• Discuss when and how to use a variety of qualitative approaches to data collection, with an in-depth understanding of interviews and focus groups.
• Explain when and how to use a variety of qualitative approaches to data analysis with a focus on thematic analysis.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Manage and analyse qualitative data.
• Discuss the ethical considerations that relate to different types of qualitative data collection methods
• Orally present research ideas.

• Introduction and approaches to qualitative methods
• Data collection decisions in qualitative research
• Data collection methods in qualitative research
• Planning focus groups and in-depth interviews
• Qualitative data analysis
• Thematic analysis
• How to report qualitative findings
• Qualitative synthesis and systematic reviewing
• Writing a qualitative proposal
• Philosophy & principles of ethics and rigour in qualitative research
• Critical appraisal

Teaching and learning methods

A variety of methods will be used including lectures that may include synchronous live sessions and/or asynchronous non-live sessions, active participatory methods, presentations by health researchers, e-learning/interactive tools for learning and self-assessment, guided reading, group study and individual study.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Silverman D. (2011). Interpreting Qualitative Data. Sage.

Bowling A. (2001). Research methods in health: Investigating health and health services. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Green J, Thorogood N. (2018). Qualitative Methods for Health Research. Sage.

Braun and Clarke (2013). Successful Qualitative Research. Sage.

Holloway I. (2008). A-Z of qualitative research in nursing and healthcare. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Assessment strategy

There will be three components to the assessment i) a formative multiple choice question (MCQ) examination, ii) a formative elevator pitch presentation, and iii) a written qualitative research strategy.

The pass mark for the formative MCQ quiz is set at 90%. You must pass the online MCQ quiz by achieving the pass mark or more to pass the module. If you fail the MCQ quiz you are allowed to take it again until you pass. You must deliver an elevator pitch oral presentation outlining your research proposal.

The pass mark for the written element module and module is 50%.

If you have failed the module, you will have the opportunity to submit work at the next referral (re-sit) opportunity. On passing your referral, your final module mark will be capped at 50%.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External