TM5524:03
Qualitative Research Methods
| Cairns | HECS Band 2 |
April/May block mode.
Staff: Dr P d’Abbs (Coordinator).
The subject will introduce students to the uses and conduct of qualitative research, with an emphasis on health-related research. Main topics covered will include: nature and purposes of qualitative research; planning and designing qualitative research; ethical issues in qualitative research; qualitative sampling; methods of qualitative data collection, including in-depth interviews, focus groups, observation; analysing qualitative data; the use of computers in qualitative research; writing qualitative research reports; criteria for assessing qualitative research reports.
Qualitative research methods are presented both as a set of research methods in their own right and as methods to be combined with quantitative methods. The premise underlying the subject is that research methods adopted should be governed by the nature and demands of the inquiry, rather than by any prior preference for qualitative over quantitative methods or vice versa.
Students will be expected to participate in practising the techniques of data collection and analysis introduced during the subject.
Learning Objectives:
- understand the contexts and purposes for which qualitative research is particularly well suited, either on its own or as a complement to quantitative research;
- be familiar with the main approaches to qualitative research design;
- understand the principles of qualitative sampling;
- have gained introductory experience in some main forms of qualitative data collection;
- understand the principles of qualitative data analysis;
- be able to write qualitative research reports;
- be able to critically assess qualitative research reports.
Assessment by written assignment due during the block (50%); written assignment due after completion of the block (50%).