MEDFL5140 – Qualitative reseach methods

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

In this course you will learn key methods and analytical approaches in qualitative research. Based in the social sciences and using examples from clinical settings, health systems, and illness experiences, the course provides a broad introduction to the epistemological foundations and the diversity of qualitative methods in health and medical research. Throughout an intensive teaching week, you will learn about interview-based research, ethnography, and document analysis. The course is both theoretically and practically oriented. Through group work, you will develop skills in thematic analysis and one additional analytical approach, culminating in a group presentation on the final day of the course that critically compares these approaches and their uses.

Learning outcome

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

Admission to the course

The course is reserved for students at the Medical Student Research Programme at the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry, UiO.

Students sign up for classes and exam to this course in StudentWeb.

Students will upon registration receive an immediate reply in StudentWeb as to whether a seat at this course is granted or not.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

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.

Examination

Home exam.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Nov. 6, 2026 1:58:19 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
5
Teaching
Spring and autumn

Autumn 2026: StudentWeb opens for registration 1.6.

Teaching dates and sign-up deadline is posted on the semester page.

Examination
Spring and autumn
Teaching language
English

Contact

Faculty of Medicine