Qualitative research

Qualitative research uses an interpretive, naturalistic and holistic approach to the world. Their objects of study are the values, beliefs, representations, habits, attitudes and opinions of individuals in their social context. In this area, objects and issues are addressed in their natural context, trying to understand the phenomena concerning to the meaning that people give to them.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this curricular unit, students should be able to:

Describe the historical background and theoretical foundations of the qualitative research methods;

Explain the scope and importance of qualitative research methods in health care;

Characterize the main methodological approaches to qualitative research;

Perform studies design, sampling and data collection in qualitative research;

Implement methods of qualitative data analysis;

Apply the concepts of generalization, validity, reproducibility and precision in qualitative research

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Not applicable.

Program

Historical background and theoretical foundations of the qualitative research methods;

Scope and importance of qualitative research methods in health care;

Methodological approaches to qualitative research;

Study design, sampling and data collection in qualitative research;

Methods of qualitative data analysis;

Validity, reproducibility and precision in qualitative research

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical exposition of each topic;

Practical assignments individual and in group;

Critical analysis;

Evaluation: multiple answer theoretical test (50%) presentation of a work (50%).

Evaluation Type<br />

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Eligibility for exams

Presence in 75% of the classes.
To be approved the student will have to obtain a minimum grade of 9.5 (in a scale 0-20) in the the final grade of the course (50% Final Written Examination + 50% Practical Work).

Calculation formula of final grade

Evaluation: multiple answer theoretical test (50%) presentation of a work (50%).

Mandatory literature

Green, J. & Thorogood, N. ; Qualitative Methods for Health Research (3rd Edition, Sage Publications, 2014
Merriam S. B. ; Qualitative research: a guide to design and implementation, John Wiley & Son, 2009
Goertz G., Mahoney J. ; A Tale of Two Cultures: Qualitative and Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences, Princeton University Press, 2012