Title:	Qualitative Research Methods for Global Public Health (Online)
Keywords:	Qualitative methods
Country:	Norway
Institution:	Norway - Centre for International Health, Universitetet i Bergen
Course coordinator:	Karen Marie Moland Andrea Melberg
Date start:	2025-02-03
Date end:	2025-02-28
About duration and dates:	Regarding admission, please visit here: http://www.uib.no/en/cih/71970/courses-cih (annual application date 1 November)
Classification:	advanced optional
Mode of delivery:	Distance-based
Course location: Delivered electronically from Centre for International Health, University of Bergen
ECTS credit points:	5 ECTS credits
SIT: SIT: 125 hours ● Pre-course reading (10 hours) ● Contact hours (lectures and seminars) (35 hours) ● Developing a group project proposal (15 hours) ● Conducting the research (10 hours) ● Developing a group mini research report (40 hours) ● Developing a written individual reflection report (15 hours)
Language:	English
Description: By the end of the course, the student will be able to: ● Formulate a research question in global public health that needs a qualitative approach ● Develop tools for data collection for a qualitative public health research project ● Practice the main qualitative research methods (in-depth interview, focus group discussion, participant observation) ● Apply the principles for coding and analysis of the qualitative data obtained ● Assess the strengths and limitations of qualitative research
Assessment Procedures: Portfolio assessment with two group submissions and one individual submission: Group assignments (60% of the total grade) A mini research project proposal of minimum 400, maximum 600 words submitted on the UiB learning platform (MittUiB). This counts 20% of the total grade. Oral presentation in class (commented, not graded) and a written report (to be graded) of minimum 1500, maximum 2500 words submitted on the UiB learning platform (MittUiB). Counts 40% of the total grade. Individual assignment (40% of the total grade): a written home assignment on methodological challenges related to the group mini research project - minimum 1000, maximum 2000 words. Submitted on the UiB learning platform (MittUiB) ECTS Grading Scale: A-F (F = Fail) If the group fails in a group-based assignments, they will be allowed to resubmit assignment in the same semester. If a student fails the individual assignment , he/she can resubmit in the same semester. If the student fails a second time, he/she will be advised to take the whole course one more time.
Content: The course gives an introduction to the knowledge tradition in which qualitative research is embedded and to the concepts that are integral to qualitative research. It gives an overview of qualitative research designs and presents various qualitative research methods and approaches. Coding and analysis of data obtained from qualitative research will be demonstrated and practised in exercises. The strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research approaches will be discussed. The course includes both taught and practice sessions. Students will design a mini research project and will apply qualitative methods in a fieldwork research exercise. The main topics covered in the lectures/seminars: ● Theoretical foundation of qualitative research methodology ● Characteristics of qualitative research, their strengths and limitations ● Research designs/Strategies of inquiry ● Data collection methods: In-depth interview, Focus Group Discussion and Participant observation ● How to design a qualitative research project ● How to develop interview / topic guides ● How to code and analyse qualitative data ● How to report findings ● Ethical issues, including clearance and informed consent ● Qualitative data analysis ● Rigour and trustworthiness of qualitative research
Methods: ● Pre-course preparatory reading – 10 hours ● Lectures, discussions in classroom - 20 hours ● Practice sessions in classroom – 15 hours ● Group mini research exercise: - total 65 hours --formulate research questions and develop a mini research proposal (15 hours) --carry out the planned research using one or more qualitative data collection methods, analyze the results and prepare an oral presentation and written report (50 hours). ● Students will reflect on their group-based research experience in an individual home assignment -15 hours
Prerequisites: Students admitted to a master’s degree programme in global health or related topics may join this course. Good working knowledge of English (TOEFL score of at least 550 points paper-based or 213 points computer-based, or an equivalent approved test).
Attendance: Total maximum 25 students Total minimum 15 students Maximum number of tropEd students:15
Selection: Priority is given to Master students enrolled at the University of Bergen and master students from institutions within tropEd. Other students will be enrolled based on-first-come-first-serve.
Fees: No fee.
Scholarships: None available.
Major changes since initial accreditation: In addition to an oral presentation students must hand in a written report on the research exercise, including a statement of the contribution of each student. The individual assignment is given more weight (40%) in the final grade.
Student evaluation: The students appreciate and gain a lot from applying the knowledge in planning, conducting, analyzing and reporting research in the mini research group exercise, but each student’s contribution needs to be given more weight.
Lessons learned: The course has not been offered on campus since 2019 due to the pandemic. A major change since 2017 is that students, in addition to giving an oral presentation, are required to hand in a written report on the research exercise including a statement of the contribution of each student. This gives a better foundation for the grading, and increases the commitment to the assignment by all students. Furthermore the individual assignment is given more weight.
tropEd accreditation: Accredited in Antwerp GA in October 2017. Re-accredited at October GA 2020, and Hamburg GA in September 2022, valid until Oct 2027.
Remarks: Preparatory reading will be made available by email two weeks before the onset of the course.
Email Address:	Karen.moland@uib.no
Date Of Record Creation:	2017-10-22 15:57:54 (W3C-DTF)
Date Of Record Release:	2019-10-25 07:27:32 (W3C-DTF)
Date Record Checked:	2017-10-22 (W3C-DTF)
Date Last Modified:	2024-09-04 08:56:15 (W3C-DTF)