Introduction to Qualitative Observation
This one-day course is delivered face-to-face in Oxford by the Oxford Qualitative Courses team. Through a series of lectures, discussions, and interactive practical exercises, the course provides an introduction and guides you through how to effectively undertake qualitative observation, within ethnographic research studies in health and social care settings.
COURSE DELIVERY
This course is particularly suited to those wishing to undertake in-depth studies of health and care settings or the everyday lives of health and social care service users. This may include observing clinical practice or organisational behaviour. Whilst this course is aimed at the needs of health professionals, researchers, academics and postgraduate students, the skills developed here may apply to many settings – so everyone is welcome, regardless of their research or professional background.
The course will be led by Catherine Pope, Professor of Medical Sociology. Catherine has 30+ years’ experience of conducting qualitative observational research, largely in NHS settings that include operating theatres, outpatient clinics, General Practices, ambulances and 999 and NHS 111 call centres.
Whilst there are no prerequisites for this course, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of qualitative research. An intention to conduct qualitative research is desirable, as it is useful to apply the learning to your own work. The course will be relatively small and discussion-based, to preserve the flexibility of small-group teaching in responding to the needs and interests of the particular class.
The course also involves a ‘field trip’ within Oxford so people with additional accessibility requirements should discuss with us before booking.
Please note, this course does not cover broader qualitative methodology and methods – these are covered by our other courses.
This course aligns with a number of other courses in the Oxford Qualitative Courses programme. It complements our Qualitative Case Study Research course. Please note that the course focuses on design and data collection, those wishing to learn about how to analyse qualitative data could consider taking our Introduction to Analysing Qualitative Data course.
CONTENT
The course will include:
- An overview of the origins of ethnographic research, use of qualitative observation and its application to the study of health and social care.
- Interactive sessions about practical considerations and challenges, researcher roles, and ethical practice
- Practical exercises to develop your observation and note taking skills (this will include a fieldtrip to a setting in Oxford)
- Discussion of published ethnography/exemplar and consideration of the limitations and advantages of these methods
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, participants will:
- Understand what ethnography is, and when and why qualitative observation is useful in health and care research
- Have experience of doing observation in a real world setting and making fieldnotes
- Be able to reflect on researcher roles and how presence, background, and assumptions as a researcher may impact data collection
- Be able to consider the strengths and limitations of qualitative observation and ethnographic research
IN-PERSON COURSE
Course date: 22 April 2027
Duration: 1 day
Course fee: £572
Total places: 24
Type: In-person course
Venue: St Anne's College, Oxford, UK
If you have any questions and queries please email us
Receive our termly bulletin:
Our courses are popular and often sell-out quickly. To receive a termly bulletin of upcoming course dates, please register here.
We may be able to offer in-house training, please contact us to discuss your needs.
Got a question? Contact us:
Our friendly team are on-hand to answer your questions and queries.
Course tutors
Oxford Qualitative Courses
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 over twenty years alongside active involvement in qualitative research on a variety of topics, ranging from studies of experiences of health conditions and of everyday healthcare practice, to evaluations of organisational change. Our group also includes qualitative methodologists at the forefront of developing qualitative methods including applied conversation analysis and evidence synthesis.
Findings from our group’s research on patient experiences, together with supported video, audio and text extracts, can be found on the HEXI.ox.ac.uk website. 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, social psychology, anthropology, and public policy.