Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health

SBS 288 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

What students can expect from this course: This introductory course will provide an overview of key conceptual and practical issues in qualitative research, including a general familiarity with the design of qualitative studies and common methods. The course begins by examining the variety of potential uses of qualitative methods in public health research and diverse qualitative research approaches. The course then explores specific topics, including: developing research questions; ethics in qualitative research; community engagement; the role of theory; ensuring study rigor; selecting and implementing qualitative data collection methods (participant observation, different types of semi-structured interviews and focus groups); writing open-ended questions; sampling decisions; data management and analysis; publishing results; and considerations for choosing qualitative methods for mixed-methods studies. Students should come to class prepared to apply concepts from readings and lectures by participating in student- and instructor-led class discussions and small-group activities during every class period. In addition, students will demonstrate the application of concepts by completing written assignments that involve practicing qualitative methods.

What this course is not: As this is an introductory course on qualitative research that provides an overview of topics to foster familiarity with this qualitative research broadly, the course cannot dwell deeply on any one topic. The course also touches upon analytic techniques, but the details of those techniques will be explored in other courses, including SBS 521.