Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
Now available as an online course for 2021
This highly-regarded course will provide you with a good introduction to qualitative research methods using a combination of practical video workshops, online group discussions, expert tutor feedback and formal video lectures.
Delivered by qualitative experts over five days online via blended learning, this training course will introduce you to a broad range of skills in qualitative research methods.
Designed to follow the research process, this course offers delegates a blend of online lectures and interactive practical sessions on how to prepare to begin collecting qualitative data, consider and work to ethics guidelines, underpinning philosophy, and how to conduct literature searches. Course participants will gain hands-on practical experience of different data collection methods. Participants are actively supported to develop their skills in qualitative data analysis, with a strong focus on thematic analysis. Throughout the course we consider core concepts underpinning all stages of the research process such as reflexivity, the iterative nature of data collection and analysis, and how to recognise and conduct ‘good quality’ qualitative research.
We think the best way to learn new skills is for you to be well supported and have a good opportunity to practice. Therefore, this course is very much weighted to provide as many virtual practical sessions as we can, and participants will have the opportunity to present a research proposal online to the delegate group, practise their interviewing skills, and analyse their data. To ensure all participants have good opportunity to ask questions, and receive individual feedback from tutors our class size is limited to 24 delegates, who will regularly work in smaller breakout groups wih a dedicated expert tutor.
This course is particularly suited for people who are starting work on a project with a qualitative dimension, doctoral students at the beginning of their projects, and those who are thinking about using qualitative research methods for the first time. Our course also provides a useful introduction or refresher for researchers, academics, managers who are supervising students, or those currently doing qualitative research projects. While this course is aimed at health professionals, researchers, academics and postgraduate students, the skills developed on our course can be useful in many settings - so everyone is welcome, regardless of their professional or research background.
Teaching team
This course is 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 in an accessible and clear way. Our tutors are friendly and approachable and will be available to offer delegates tailored feedback.. Our participants regularly emphasise our teaching team as a highlight of this course.
Content
This course will include:
- Practical sessions focussing on data collection methods, including qualitative interviewing.
- Expert-led lectures on research ethics, underpinning philosophy, sampling, recruitment, and how to find and use theory in your qualitative research.
- Expert-led lectures and small group sessions on data analysis with a focus on thematic analysis
- Large group workshops to identify and address common challenges that occur throughout the research process
- Small group sessions, facilitated by tutors, to identify the skills needed for conducting your own project
- Specialist practical sessions on literature searching, and using NVivo 12 software to support qualitative research.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Have an understanding of different methodological approaches to qualitative research
- Be able to search effectively for online resources using sensitive or specific search filters
- Understand the key issues around recruitment and sampling in qualitative research
- Have developed skills to write an interview schedule
- Have practical experience of conducting in-depth interviews
- Be able to discuss some of the ethical issues associated with conducting qualitative research
- Have developed skills to analyse qualitative data using a thematic approach
- Be able to appraise the quality of qualitative research
We provide
- Online access to slides and materials
- Access to our online learning platform
- All data for you to work on whilst developing your skills
- Experienced, approachable tutors who are research-active
- An optional virtual social programme throughout the week, including a team competition and a guest speaker.
Booking:
Next course: 1–5 March 2021
This course is fully booked, but you can add your name to our waiting list by visiting the link below.
Course details:
Course fee: £1570
Duration: 5 days (01-05 March 2021)
Total places: 24
Venue: Online Course
Note: This course contains content from our 1 and 2 day courses, Introduction to Qualitative Interviewing, and Analysing Qualitative Interviews.
If you have any questions and queries please email us
Social programme:
This course includes an optional social programme, encouraging participants to socialise with each other online, and to make the most of their time whilst attending our online course. Optional social events include: A team quiz, a guest speaker event, and a team meme competition.
Find another course:
“This has been the most enjoyable course / conference I have ever done…the clarity, structure, notes, examples, practical sessions were brilliant. I came away inspired and happy”
“This has been a fantastic week, an excellent combination of theory and practice. I feel much more confident to go back to work on my project. This should be an example to others of how to run a course.”
“There have been several Eureka moments this week – it has brought clarity to many areas I had previously found opaque and scary. Similarly, it has injected a huge, massive amount of enthusiasm into my attitude to my PhD and career. Also, the social element was brilliantly handled; felt very much that this group gelled well. Looking forward to working with and seeing many people here again. A brilliant course.”
Course tutors
This highly-regarded programme, led by Dr Charlotte Albury is delivered by a team of qualitative researchers from Oxford’s Medical Sociology and Health Experiences Research Group. The group have run successful interviewing and analysis courses for over ten years alongside their qualitative research focusing on personal experiences of health conditions. Many of the findings from this research, together with supported video, audio and text extracts, form the multi-award winning patient experience website heathtalk.org. The group has expanded to include qualitative researchers studying health services and care delivery, and methodologists at the forefront of developing qualitative methods. Our portfolio of research and expertise in methods informs local, national and international healthcare policy and research.
-
Margaret Głogowska
Senior Researcher
-
Tanvi Rai
Health Researcher
-
Catherine Pope
Professor of Medical Sociology
-
Charlotte Albury
Research Fellow in Health Behaviours and Teaching Lead in Qualitative Research Methods
-
Sara Ryan
Associate Professor
-
Caitlin Pilbeam
Postdoctoral Researcher & Tutor in Qualitative Research Methods
-
Ruth Sanders
Research Delivery Project Manager
Receive our termly updates:
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