Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

In this introductory course participants learn about fundamentals of the theory and practice of qualitative research. The course consists of seven sessions, in subsequent weeks: four full-day educational course sessions and three half-day assignment meetings, in subgroups.

The participant will learn about:

• theoretical & methodological backgrounds of qualitative research
• designing a qualitative study, including ethical issues and participant recruitment
• conducting data collection, using three methods, i.e. in-depth interviewing, focus group discussions and participant observation
• analysis and reporting of qualitative data & conclusions
• management of aspects of the process (e.g. recruitment, data-management, soft-ware use)

Participants can, eventually, work on self-chosen topics.

Level / assumed knowledge
In this course the idea of ‘level’ concerns interest in research questions that (may) need a qualitative research design.

Basic knowledge concerning principles of scientific research, based on paradigms and methods of qualitative research, e.g:

• development of a relevant research question in a general psychosocial/ health care context or other (sub-)cultural domain (concerning human or other species)
• designing and performing a method of research
• using adequate processes to study, analyse and describe the results
• addressing conclusions and discussion based on the qualitative research question

Assessment

• Participation is required in in-class educational course days (4 days) and groupwork practicals, concerning assignments (3 half-days) 
• Following a schedule: on tour, participants prepare and present parts of the literature
• Absence: max 1 course day (6 hrs) or max 1 half-day groupwork (3 hrs)