Title:	Qualitative Methods in Health Systems Research (QHSR)
Keywords:	Research Qualitative methods Health systems
Country:	Netherlands
Institution:	The Netherlands - KIT Institute, Amsterdam
Course coordinator:	Elaine Rabello
Date start:	2026-01-05
Date end:	2026-01-23
About duration and dates:	2.5 weeks.
Classification:	advanced optional
Mode of delivery:	Face to face
Course location: KIT Amsterdam (Royal Tropical Institute) PO Box 95001, 1090 HA Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel: +31-20-5688256 Website: www.kit.nl tropEd representative: L. Gerstel (l.gerstel@kit.nl)
ECTS credit points:	4 ECTS credits
SIT: Student Investment Hours: total of 112 hours Contact time: total of 48 hours (23h of plenaries + 9h of tutorials + 16h of practical exercise) Self-study hours: 64 hours
Language:	English
Description: At the end of the course the participants should be able to: • Explain the most important differences in concepts, paradigms and application of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in health systems research. • Formulate clear and feasible research objectives based on a problem statement. • Select an appropriate mix of qualitative research methods and develop corresponding tools to investigate public health issues and critically assess whether a proposed research design is suitable to answer a research question. • Formulate a feasible, consistent and logical small-scale qualitative research proposal related to a public health problem in a specific low and middle income settings. • Propose an outline of a research report and strategies to disseminate research results to different target groups for use in practice. • Conduct well-structured focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with a variety of respondents.
Assessment Procedures: ● Summative Individual Assignment to be submitted on the last day of the course (80% of final mark): Develop a 2,000-word qualitative research proposal on a public health issue relevant to a low- or middle-income country. Home work with tutorial sessions. (Pass mark 6/10) ● Summative Group Assignment (20% of final mark): Collaboratively conduct a critical assessment of a qualitative research proposal. Group assignment done in class.(Pass mark 6/10) Participants receive written feedback and a grade for each summative component. ● Evaluation of individual participation in group work. (pass/fail, not contributing to the final grade) In order to pass the course, students have to pass the individual assignment. In case of failing on the individual assignment, participants are eligible for a one-hour tutorial session with a facilitator and may resubmit the assignment as a resit. The resubmission is due within two weeks of the results being announced. 90% attendance is required.
Content: ● Introduction to and role of Health Systems Research; appropriate use of research methodologies, focusing on the process of qualitative research. ● Problem analysis: development of problem statement, formulation of research objectives for qualitative research. ● Study types and research variables/issues for qualitative research. ● Qualitative data collection techniques. ● Sampling/selection and recruitment of respondents for qualitative research. ● Quality assurance and ethical considerations in qualitative health systems research. ● Knowledge management approach to engage users of research results and better assure the link between research, policy and practice. • Introduction to HSR: Role of HSR; appropriate use of quantitative qualitative research methodologies; process of qualitative research • Review of problem analysis and problem statement, formulation of research objectives, variables/issues, study type, data collection techniques, sampling/selection and recruitment of respondents for qualitative research • Quality assurance and ethical considerations in health systems research • Practical exercise on the full research cycle • Qualitative data analysis (manual and NVivo) • Report writing, use of research for policy and practice • Critical reading of research proposals
Methods: The QHSR course uses a practical, interactive approach to guide participants through the entire qualitative research cycle, from formulating a research question to conducting a small study and analysing data. Participants engage on plenary sessions, that combine theory with practical exercises, group activities that foster collaboration, and an individual assignment developed with weekly tutorial support, where participants can discuss their research proposals, share challenges, and receive feedback to improve clarity, rigor, and overall quality. In addition, participants gain experience in critically reviewing and giving constructive feedback on the work of others, strengthening both analytical and reflective skills.
Prerequisites: ● Bachelor’s degree or equivalent academic training in either medicine or another field related to health care, such as health sciences, health economics, social sciences, or nursing ● A minimum of three years of health-related work experience in health systems, not limited to (organisation of) individual patient care ● English proficiency at the level of TOEFL 5.5 or IELTS 6.5 (certificate is not required) ● Computer and internet literacy; the participant should be able to use a computer access to wifi networks, and working-level understanding of Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe (PDF). Students will be introduced to the e-learning platform.
Attendance: Maximum 60 (split in groups) No maximum for tropEd students No minimum
Selection: See prerequisites above, first come first serve
Fees: € 2.640
Scholarships: Please look at www.kit.nl/study/scholarship-information/
Major changes since initial accreditation: The course coordination has transitioned from Anke van den Kwaak to Elaine Teixeira Rabello. The course now expands for 3 full weeks (before 2.5), though the ECTS remains the same (to better balance time investment per day). The course objectives, major contents, and learning methods remain unchanged. In line with KIT's Assessment Policy, we introduced a component for the group assignment to evaluate the individual contribution to the group output. The optional session on NVivo, previously included in the programme, has been replaced by optional sessions on participatory methods and digital strategies. This change reflects participant feedback from recent editions and better aligns with current needs in the public health field. Finally, we have placed greater emphasis on practical components, including tutorials and hands-on exercises. To support this, plenary sessions have been shortened to allow more time for practical learning.
Student evaluation: Students evaluate the QHSR course as relevant, as it addresses key learning needs. Tutorials and group assignments were appreciated, and the course structure was seen as improved compared to other modules/courses they follow. However, plenary lectures are often considered too long (even with 2h max duration, and only 6 in total), with recommendations to make them shorter, more participatory, and focused on case studies or interactive elements. Students also felt that methodology sessions – particularly on sampling and validity/reliability – needed more depth, and that the experience of participants could have been better integrated into discussions. Optional sessions, such as the one on innovative methods, were well received and will be kept as regular component. Overall, the study load and balance between self-study, assignments, and contact time were appropriate, and students appreciated having a consistent tutor during tutorials. Key suggestions for improvement included reducing lecture time, expanding practical exercises and methodology content, and enhancing the use of participant experience in sessions as the group has up to 20 nationalities and great diversity in experience
Lessons learned: Increasing participatory methods and practical exercises, while reducing lengthy lectures, better supports student engagement and learning in qualitative research.
tropEd accreditation: Accredited in Bordeaux 2002 with 3 ECTS. Accredited in Edinburgh 2004 with 4 ECTS. Re-accredited in November 2010 and in Basel, September 2015, and in September 2020 in Munich. Reaccredited in Amsterdam, Sept. 2025. This accreditation is available until September 2030.
Remarks: Key reading ( to be received in the course): Hardon A et al, 2005 Applied health research; anthropology of health and health care, Amsterdam; Aksant.
Email Address:	courses@kit.nl
Date Of Record Creation:	2015-09-14 15:59:46 (W3C-DTF)
Date Of Record Release:	2015-09-14 20:36:45 (W3C-DTF)
Date Record Checked:	2021-03-18 (W3C-DTF)
Date Last Modified:	2025-10-28 09:49:40 (W3C-DTF)