Qualitative Research Methods in Medicine and Health Sciences

The course introduces qualitative methodology. During the course, students learn about when and how qualitative methods are relevant to answer research questions. The course addresses questions of theoretical perspectives, design, sampling, data collection, analysis, reporting results, and evaluation of study quality. The aim of the course is to give students practical experience with data collection, analysis and writing up results.

Knowledge:

The student

• Is familiar with, and able to refer to theory of science fundamental for qualitative methods?

• can discuss strengths and weaknesses of different methods for data collection and analytical approaches

• has substantial knowledge on validity and reliability in qualitative studies

• is familiar with the history, traditions, and characteristics of qualitative methods

• inherits substantial knowledge on ethical guidelines for qualitative methods in health science research

Skills

The student is able to

• design a qualitative study under supervision

• carry out different qualitative methods for data collection

• analyze and present the results from a qualitative study

• consider and evaluate ethical issues for a qualitative study

General competency:

The student

• is familiar with terminology used in qualitative methods

• is able to use their knowledge and skills on new areas in order to carry out research with qualitative methods

• can communicate about qualitative methods with professionals and lay people

• can critically read journal articles using qualitative methods and make use of knowledge from articles with qualitative methods

Intensive lectures. Lectures, seminars, exercise-assignments, also in groups.