MF9140 – Qualitative research methods

Knowledge

After completing the course, you will be able to explain and discuss:

• Philosophies of science and epistemological assumptions foundational to qualitative methods
• Key principles of sampling and recruitment in qualitative research
• Core methods of interviewing-based research, ethnography, and document analysis
• Central qualitative analytical approaches, including thematic analysis
• Key questions of mixed methods designs
• Reflexivity and validity in qualitative research

Skills

After completing the course, you will be able to:

• Design a basic qualitative research project in health and medical research
• Develop interview guides and conduct interviews and observations
• Apply sampling and recruitment strategies appropriate to your research question
• Conduct basic coding and analysis of qualitative data using thematic analysis

General competence

After completing the course, you will be able to:

• Critically reflect on your own research process
• Position your research design within the wider landscape of qualitative methods and analytical approaches in health and medical research

PhD candidates at University of Oslo will be prioritized, and within this group the highest priority is given to PhD candidates who are working on research that entails/will entail qualitative interviewing and/or participant observation.

Applicants admitted to a PhD programme at UiO apply to this course in StudentWeb.

Applicants who are not admitted to a PhD programme at UiO must apply for a right to study before they can apply to this course. See information here: How to apply for a right to study and admission to elective PhD courses in medicine and health sciences.

Applicants will receive a reply to the course application in StudentWeb at the latest one week after the application deadline.

The maximum number of course participants is 30.

The course is organized as a five days course. The teaching consists of a combination of lectures and group work.

You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance will be registered.