Entry requirements

University degree, minimum of 180 credits, in medicine, nursing, nutrition or other area relevant to international health. All applicants need to verify English language proficiency. This is normally attested by means of an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course the participants will be able to:

Compare the theoretical foundations and the principles of analysis in qualitative content analysis, ethnography, anthropology, grounded theory, phenomenology and hermeneutics

Differentiate research questions in Global Health requiring qualitative research methodology

Construct a research plan for a small study on a topic for relevance in low income countries using qualitative research methodology

Formulate ethical considerations in relation to qualitative studies on sensitive topics in low income countries

Collect, record and assess quality of data according to sound methodological and ethical principles using qualitative research interviews and focus group discussions

Prepare collected data for analysis by transforming audio recorded data to texts including transcription, translation and evaluation of the quality of the data transformation

Employ qualitative content analysis of manifest messages in a text, identify latent messages and appraise methodological limitations and strengths in such analysis

Estimate the impact of different socio cultural understanding of a studied topic between the researchers and the participants and within the research team and propose ways to handle such differences

Differentiate ways of presenting results from qualitative studies depending on the methodological/theoretical approach employed

Critically read and analyse publications using qualitative methodology on topic related to Global Health in low income countries and debate various aspects of trustworthiness

Content

The content of this course covers theoretical basis as well as considerations and practical steps of planning, carrying, present and critically analyse qualitative studies in Global Health in low resource settings. Throughout the course examples will be given from research projects in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, India, the Congo, Nicaragua and other low income countries and conflict zones.

The following topics will be covered:

Theoretical foundations and principles for analysis in phenomenology, hermeneutics, ethnography, anthropology, grounded theory, and qualitative content analysis

Rational for using qualitative methods in Global Health research

Research questions in Global Health that need qualitative methodology

Combining qualitative and quantitative studies in Global Health

Organising fieldwork in low income countries

Qualitative research interviews

Analysing interview technique using video recording

Focus group discussions

Transcription, translation and quality check of textual data

Analysing using; qualitative content analysis, ethnography, and anthropology approaches

Soft ware as devise in analyses of texts

Manifest and latent messages in texts

Pre-understanding and interpretation in qualitative research

Ethics in cross-culture qualitative studies

Ethical clearance application

Measures to achieve trustworthiness; validity and reliability

Writing up qualitative research

Critical reading of publications using qualitative methodology

Cross cultural challenges when carrying out qualitative studies

Instruction

Students' learning is facilitated by lectures, individual literature studies, seminars, as well as individual and group assignments.

Assignments include data collection, transcription, analysis, presentation and evaluation of the process as well as application for ethical clearance of a fictive or planned study.

Seminars are held on theoretical modules and analysis of publications.

Sessions are interactive and all lectures, readings, assignments, and examinations are in English.

Participants' activities are vital and teachers strive to integrate their previous knowledge and experiences from low income settings or conflict zones.

Participants bringing own data can partly use them in assignments provided that there are no ethical hindrances and permission is given by the original research team.

Assessment

Assessment is done based on:

One written (1000 words) and oral presentation (20 minutes) of assignment on data collection, transcription and analysis (20%)

One written research plan (2000 words) (20%)

One written analysis (500 words) of a chosen published article (10%)

One individual 2-hours written test will conclude the course (50%)

Participants who do not receive a passing grade have the right to redo their course work, including examinations and assignments.

Other regulations

This is an optional course within the Master's program in International Health. Other students may join this course. Priority will be given to applicants who take this course as part of the Master's Programme in International Health or within the TropEd network.