Qualitative Research Methods for Public Health MED5436

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Health and Wellbeing
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Taught Wholly by Distance Learning: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course will enable students to explore the purpose and appropriate use of qualitative research methods in public health through recorded lectures and practical sessions. The course introduces basic orientations and epistemological research paradigms and related methodologies (including ethnography, action research and qualitative evidence synthesis), as well as methods for conducting and analysing qualitative data.

Timetable

Weekly sessions comprised of lectures, seminars, and asynchronous material.

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Written assignment (2,500; 50%; ILOs 1, 2)

Presentation (10 mins; 50%; ILOs 3, 4, 5) 

Course Aims

This course aims to enable students' developed understanding and acquisition of principle skills in relation to qualitative research methodologies and methods relevant to public health practice

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

 

1. Critically analyse the role of qualitative research in the developing evidence base of public health practice.

2. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of a range of qualitative methodologies and methods.

3. Propose qualitative research designs in response to public health knowledge gaps.

4. Code, categorise, and analyse qualitative data.

5. Effectively communicate qualitative findings

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.