Applied Qualitative Methods for Health Research

3 units

This course will introduce students to the most commonly used qualitative methods for medical-related research. By the end of this course, students will learn applications of qualitative methods to health-related research, focusing on practical skills while laying the foundation for understanding why we make certain methodological decisions. The course addresses descriptive research, methods to develop or refine survey measures, formative and impact evaluation, implementation science, and mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative together). Topics will include uses of qualitative data, designing studies, sampling strategies, collecting data, and qualitative analysis. A variety of methods will be discussed, with an emphasis on using focus groups and interviewing techniques. Students will learn the best practices in qualitative research and how to critically evaluate qualitative studies and articles. The culminating project is qualitative research proposal; assignments are planned throughout the semester to intentionally build the skills toward that proposal. Students may integrate the activities with their research interests, but a pre-identified project is not required. Class-time includes interactive learning to reinforce lessons and work through common challenges encountered in qualitative research. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to plan, conduct, and analyze a qualitative study.