Title:	Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis in International Health
Keywords:	Research Qualitative methods Knowledge, attitude and practice Anthropology
Country:	Germany
Institution:	Germany - Institute of International Health, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Course coordinator:	Angel Phuti
Date start:	2026-02-23
Date end:	2026-03-06
About duration and dates:	Two weeks face-to-face (assessment submission deadline four weeks after module end) Admission deadline: 1 week prior to module begin
Classification:	advanced optional
Mode of delivery:	Face to face
Course location: Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Campus Virchow-Klinikum Augustenburger Platz 1 Campus address: Südring 3b 13353 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 (30) 450 565 752 Fax: +49 (30) 450 565 989 Email: mscih-student@charite.de Website: http://internationalhealth.charite.de/en/ tropEd representative: Dr Hans-Friedemann Kinkel Email: mscih-coordinator@charite.de
ECTS credit points:	3.5 ECTS credits
SIT: SIT: 105 hours Contact: 60 hours (46.5 hours lectures + 5 hours guided group work + 8.5 hours practical). Self-study: 45 hours (16 hours private reading during face-to-face week + 29 hours for proposal development). Self-study: 48 hours (19 hours private reading during face-to-face week + 29 hours for proposal development)
Language:	English
Description: At the end of the module students will be able to: ● Design a qualitative research proposal. ● Formulate clear and succinct research questions for qualitative research applying all theoretical knowledge. ● Appraise peer reviewed qualitative research. ● Apply ethical considerations including understanding the issues of bias (reflectivity and subjectivity) in qualitative research. ● Demonstrate the ability to collect, transcribe and code qualitative data gained through in-depth interviews, focus-group discussions and/or participants’ observation methods and appraise qualitative research findings. ● Master a qualitative report writing under guidance.
Assessment Procedures: A written assignment (1500-2500 words, accounting 100% to the overall mark) to be submitted four weeks after the end of the module. The assignment assesses the capability of the student to design a proposal for a qualitative research project of their choice. Each student will receive an individual feedback on the assignment and a grade using a rubric matrix. Students pass the assignment if they gain 60% or more of the achievable points. If a student fails the assignment, s/he is allowed to revise and resubmit the assignment considering the comments provided by the marker (grading will not be capped). Students receives two grades, one according to the German (absolute) 6-point decimal grading system (1.0 [excellent/sehr gut] – 6.0 [not sufficient/ungenügend], pass mark: ≥ 4.0 [sufficient/ausreichend] and one according to the (relative) ECTS grading system (A top 10%, B next 25%, C next 39%, D next 25%, E lowest 10%). In addition, there are two unmarked mandatory short written tests (formative assessment) at the end of each week to assess learning progress.
Content: The course will cover the following topics: Day 1: ● Research Design (Introduction) Qualitative vs. quantitative and mixed methods research (1 hr). ● Types of qualitative research e.g. IPA, Narrative Case Study, Action Research, Discourse analysis, Content Analysis, Grounded Case Studies…etc, Ethnographic (2 hrs). ● Types of qualitative research (continued) (1 hr). ● Formulating a research question in Qualitative research. (1 hr). ● Formulate groups, brainstorming practical, and research problems and questions related to international health are shared. Each small group settles for one topic (1 hr). ● Self-study (2 hrs). Day 2 ● Qualitative data collection methods e.g. Interviews, FGDs, Observations, Document analysis, IDI, PAR and importance of note taking and transcription (2 hrs). ● Qualitative data collection methods / working with qualitative data (1 hr). ● Framing a qualitative study (1 hr). ● Group Work: Write a Proposal and reflect on the following- Title, Introduction, Research Question and Objectives, Literature Review Framing (Theoretical), Methodology, Sampling (2 hrs). ● Self-study (2 hrs). Day 3 ● Discussion or feedback from group work (15 mins hrs). ● Data Collection Methods: Practical knowledge on In-depth interviews (1 hr 45 mins). ● Strengthening and Assessing Rigour in Qualitative Research- how to achieve rich and high-quality qualitative data (use role plays as examples) (lecture) (1 hr). ● Data Collection Methods: Observations- Charité Campus (Role play) (1 hr). ● Group Work: Interview guide: Formulation, test, Discussion, Feedback (2 hrs). ● Self-study (2 hrs). Day 4 ● How to select the relevant methodology and sample size to answer specific research questions (lecture) (1.5 hrs). ● Choosing the correct data collection instrument (lecture) (1.5 hrs). ● Environment, Sampling and Reflexivity in Qualitative Research proposal (lecture) (1.5 hrs). ● Declaration of ethical issues in proposal writing (lecture) (1.5 hr). ● Self-study: Proposal preparation: Part II-designing research proposal continued (3 hrs). Day 5 ● Reflection and feedback (Content from day 1-4) and revision lecture in the class (1 hr). ● Data Collection Methods: Focus Group Discussions ● (Role play) (2 hrs). ● Field work (3 hrs). ● Self-study (3 hrs). Day 6 ● Feedback on fieldwork (15mins). ● Participatory Action Research (45mins). ● Introduction to Qualitative Data Analysis (1 hr). ● Overview of data collection software and traditional methods (2 hrs). ● Field work: interviews / qualitative data collection (ps. Interviews to be recorded and transcribed) (3 hrs) ● Self -Study: (1 hr). Day 7 ● Class & Group work creating nodes/themes from transcripts- Feedback (1 hr). ● Data Analysis lecture from day 6 continued (2 hrs). ● Class & Group work creating nodes/themes from transcripts- Feedback (1 hr). ● Group work creating nodes/themes from transcripts- Feedback (2 hrs). ● Self-study (3 hrs). DAY 8 ● Reporting of qualitative findings (1 hr). ● Writing for publication /peer review: Tips from Journal Editor (1 hr). ● Introduction: Reporting guidelines and critique in Qualitative research (1 hr). ● Group task: Critical appraisal of articles (1 hr). ● Group work: Prepare for Friday morning presentation and individual report writing (2 hrs). ● Self-study: Start designing report writing for final examination (3 hrs). Day 9 ● Qualitative Research in Global Health: Impact & Lessons to be learnt (2 hrs). ● Spotlight session: Three Former MScIH -Alumni present their qualitative research work (2 hrs). ● Group work: Prepare for Friday morning presentations and general report writing (2 hrs). ● Self-study: Start designing report writing for final examination (3 hrs). Day 10 ● Class Work: Presentations-15 minutes each (1.5 hrs). ● Questions and answer lecture session for missed opportunities (1.5 hrs). ● Feedback & Evaluation (1 hr). ● Self-study: Assignment Preparation (5 hrs).
Methods: The learning method is a combination of teacher centered (lecture based with discussion, 30%) as well as learner centered (groupwork, practicals, self-study and assignment, 70%) methods.
Prerequisites: ● Successful completion of the core course. ● English TOEFL test 550 or 213 computer-based or 79/80 internet-based or IELTS band 6.0. ● Laptop and basic computer skills. ● Software NVivo (30- day trial version for free). ● Voice recording device (e.g. mobile phone). ● Notepad and pen (practice note taking in qualitative research).
Attendance: Max. number of students: 25. Min. number of students: 7. Students have to attend 85% of the face-to-face week.
Selection: Participants are selected on a first come first served basis
Fees: 1.225 € tropEd MScIH students and alumni. 1.531,25 € for non tropEd guest students.
Scholarships: None available
Major changes since initial accreditation: ● The content has been restructured and the flow of the time-table throughout the 10 day course has been improved. ● The recommended readings have been updated. ● Module fees have increased.
Student evaluation: Student evaluations request that repetition and duplication on content from the core course be minimized. The focus of the Advanced Module should be on the application of qualitative research methods in a research context to maximize skill building. This assessment was confirmed by the core course coordinator and the lecturer on qualitative research methods in the core course.
Lessons learned: The application of methods and giving students the opportunity to gain practical experience in qualitative research is an important learning opportunity.
tropEd accreditation: First accredited at Online tropEd GA (“Hamburg”), 11 - 12 June 2020 (EC TelCo, July 2020). Reaccredited in EC telco Dec. 2025. This accreditation is valid until Dec. 2030.
Remarks: 22. Remarks: Recommended readings: Creswell, JW., Creswell, JD. (2022). Research Design. Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, Sixth Edition. Sage Publications Inc, London. Mason, J. (2018). Qualitative Researching. 3rd Edition, Sage Publications Inc, London. Sinha, P., Paudel, B., Mosimann, T., Ahmed, H., Kovane, G. P., Moagi, M., & Phuti, A. (2024). Comprehensive Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (CCQR): Reporting Guideline for Global Health Qualitative Research Methods. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(8), 1005. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081005 Tong A., Sainsbury P., Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. Int J Qual Health Care. 2007;19(6):349-357 Collaço N, Wagland R, Alexis O, Gavin A, Glaser A, Watson EK. Using the Framework Method for the Analysis of Qualitative Dyadic Data in Health Research. Qualitative Health Research. 2021;31(8):1555-1564. doi:10.1177/10497323211011599 Additional list of reads recommended by the Qualitative Applied Health Research Centre (QUAHRC) at King’s College London (KCL) https://www.quahrc.co.uk/quahrc-services/recommended-reading
Email Address:	mscih-coordinator@charite.de
Date Of Record Creation:	2020-07-28 03:35:39 (W3C-DTF)
Date Of Record Release:	2020-07-28 09:02:10 (W3C-DTF)
Date Record Checked:	2020 (W3C-DTF)
Date Last Modified:	2025-12-12 09:54:26 (W3C-DTF)