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The University of Oxford's expert-led programme of short courses in qualitative research methods aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to design, conduct, and interpret qualitative research. Through these short courses we share the experience, knowledge and enthusiasm of our research-active tutors

Our courses are particularly suited to those who are planning or working on projects with a qualitative research component, our aims are to:

  • Equip health and care professionals, researchers and policy makers with an understanding of the different approaches to qualitative research
  • Support the development of core skills such as interviewing, ethnographic observation, running focus groups (whether virtual or face-to-face), conversation analysis, meta-ethnography, and qualitative data analysis.

This highly-regarded programme is delivered in online and face-to-face formats to suit a range of learners.  We use a mixture of lectures and small group work, delivered by our team of qualitative researchers from the University of Oxford’s Medical Sociology and Health Experiences Research Group. Our group has run these successful courses for almost twenty years alongside active involvement in qualitative research on a variety of different topics, ranging from studies of personal experiences of health conditions and of healthcare practice, to evaluations of organisational change. Our group also includes qualitative methodologists at the forefront of developing qualitative methods including conversation analysis and evidence synthesis.

Findings from our group’s research on patient experiences, together with supported video, audio and text extracts, have been compiled to form the multi-award winning heathtalk.org website and its sister site socialcaretalk.org. Our portfolio of research and expertise informs current local, national and international healthcare policy and research. 

The syllabuses of our qualitative courses draw on a wide range of expertise from within our research group, including the disciplinary areas of medical sociology, anthropology, and public policy. 

 

Teaching team

Our courses are led by a highly experienced and research-active teaching team. Our team have a range of specialities and skills spanning the breadth of qualitative research methods, ensuring that each session is led by a knowledgeable expert in the field. As well as being accomplished researchers, our team are skilled at communicating qualitative research methods to people in an accessible and clear way. Our team are friendly and approachable and will be available to offer tailored feedback during the course. Our participants regularly emphasise that our teaching team are a highlight of our courses.

Who are OUR courses for?

Our courses are suited to a wide range of professions, including:

  • Health and care professionals
  • Undergraduate and postgraduate students
  • Academics and researchers interested in health research
  • Marketing and communications professionals
  • Health and care advisers