Qualitative Research Methods

The course focuses on giving a general introduction to the principles of qualitative research and a thorough practical experience with data collection and analysis with relevance for medicine and health science. Qualitative research methods are well suited in order to study personal experiences, understanding, reflections and reasoning. The course has a focus on the use of qualitative methods in a medical (natural science) research tradition where an empirical orientation is emphasised. It is therefore a strong focus on the practical aspects of conducting a qualitative study, with practical tasks in conducting interviews, doing analysis and writing method and result presentation. The lectures focus on practical tips and presentations of the steps in conducting a qualitative study. There are also lectures on what qualitative methods are, theoretical background, and different approaches used in qualitative studies.

SMED8015 trains the student in planning and conducting qualitative research studies. After passing SMED8015, the student has acquired the following skills:

Knowledge

Discuss the adequacy and suitability of different approaches to doing qualitative studies.

Skills

Conduct and lead qualitative data collection and analysis

General proficiency

Understand the role of qualitative research in medicine and health science.

Lectures and assignments, with most of the work done in groups. The course report, which is used for the assessment of the course, is done in groups. A one-day compulsory exam seminar is held approximately 8 weeks after the first week of lectures. In the time between, the students work in groups.