PHCA9502 Qualitative Research Methods

The perfect introductory topic for anyone interested in gaining real life experience in collecting, producing and analysing qualitative data!

The topic introduces students to qualitative research methods and assumes no prior knowledge or skills. It begins by asking ‘What is qualitative research” and exploring its strengths, its contribution to knowledge, its philosophical underpinnings and its methods.

This includes ethnography (participant observation), interviews, focus groups and other observation methods, some of which students get to practice through role playing in tutorials.

We also explore several key theoretical perspectives that can be used to inform and analyse qualitative research, and pay close attention to research ethics and the importance of maintaining quality, rigour and critical reflection in the research process.

We welcome all students from Flinders and other universities to enrol in this online topic.

Who will teach the topic?

The topic is taught by a social anthropologist with more than 20 years experience as a qualitative researcher in Australia and internationally.

How to apply

This subject is taught by Darlene McNaughton.

Fast facts

Face-to-face and online

3^rd year undergraduate - postgraduate

Late July to November (semester 2)

18 hours per week

9 units (.5 EFSL)

English

Why study this subject at Flinders?

This topic will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills in qualitative research and to understand and apply the theoretical and methodological foundations of qualitative approaches to research.

Who is this topic for?

Anyone studying a third-year undergraduate degree, diploma, honours or postgraduate degree.

Anyone interested in Qualitative Research or Cultural Anthropology (no prior experience in these fields is required).

What will I study?

Participation·

6 x 2 hour lectures
6 x 1 hour tutorials

Assignments

The assignments build skills in the critical assessment of qualitative research, and uniquely provide opportunities to undertake qualitative data collection and analysis - with the support and guidance of the tutor and topic coordinator.

This is rarely offered in standard qualitative topics, but is actually critical to the development of knowledge and skills in this field, where learning by doing is essential.

Assignment 1 - Assessing quality in qualitative research.

Assignment 2 - Data collection, description and analysis.

Assignment 3 - Design a research proposal using the findings from your focus group.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this topic, students will be expected to:

demonstrate awareness of the kinds of questions best addressed by qualitative methods
critique examples of qualitative research in terms of such issues as credibility and rigour
analyse, interpret and report qualitative data
articulate an understanding of theoretical considerations underpinning qualitative forms of research
understand the role of qualitative research methods in social research
design a qualitative study addressing a specific health issue.

Study program

Lecture 1:

Introduction to qualitative research methods ethics
Responsibility and research

Lecture 2:

Research design and rigour
Generalisability and triangulation
Reflexivity, informants and researchers

Lecture 3:

Interviewing styles and techniques focus groups
Surveys and other methods
Developing an interview guide or schedule

Lecture 4:

Jottings, field notes and descriptive writing
Transcribing, coding and data analysis

Lecture 5:

Participant observation
Naturalistic and unobtrusive observation
Gender, language, power and discourse

Lecture 6:

The politics of representation
Post-colonialism and postmodernism research with ‘vulnerable’ groups

How to apply

Flinders students

If you are enrolled at Flinders in any course, request enrolment into PHCA9502 via the Ask Flinders website or email askflinders@flinders.edu.au.

Current public health postgraduate students can enrol in PHCA9502 via the Student System.

Request enrolment now