Entry requirements

University degree, minimum of 180 credits, in medicine, nursing, nutrition or another 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. Course in Research Methods in Global Health at Uppsala University or equivalent basic knowledge in qualitative research methods.

Learning outcomes

The goal of the course is to develop the students’ understanding of theoretical approaches and craft skills of the main qualitative methodologies of relevance to global public health. At the end of the course students are expected to be able to:



• Distinguish the theoretical basis for and key features of carrying out the main qualitative methodologies in global public health; grounded theory, ethnography and discourse analysis.
• Analyse and write up data collected for qualitative studies using one of the main qualitative methodologies.
• Propose and justify use of theories in different stages in qualitative studies.
• Formulate strategies to maximize quality in transcultural qualitative studies.
• Propose ways of enhancing reflexivity in the research process using qualitative methodology.
• Critically assess trustworthiness and ethics of qualitative studies and discuss transferability of results.

Content

The following topics will be covered:

• Theoretical basis of grounded theory, ethnography and discourse analysis.
• Principles for designing, conducting, and appraising studies using the main qualitative methodologies.
• Analytical approaches and writing up.
• The role of software in analysing qualitative data.
• Theory use and usefulness.
• Possibilities and challenges in transcultural qualitative research.
• Reflexivity throughout the research process.
• Trustworthiness, ethics and transferability.

Instruction

The course consists of a series of lectures, seminars and individual or group assignments. The assignments include analysis of qualitative data. Seminars include reports of performed analyses as well as critical reading of published research reports. Sessions are interactive. Students are encouraged to draw on their own experiences and contribute with their own experiences and perspectives.

Assessment

The assessment is based on:

• A written and/or orally presented analysis of a provided dataset departing from a given research question.
• A written examination.

All examinations are in English.