course in qualitative research methods

Course details

Advanced qualitative research methods.

Advancing skills and knowledge of complex issues in qualitative research

This module will provide students with the knowledge, insights and techniques relating to the more advanced aspects of qualitative research. This will include providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical perspectives within qualitative research designs, specific qualitative methodologies and analyses, advanced data collection methods and complex issues in qualitative research (e.g. critical appraisal). Students will be taught the knowledge and skills needed to critically engage with complex concepts relevant to the more advanced aspects of qualitative research.

By the end of this module, students will be able to understand and deal with complex issues associated with qualitative research. They will demonstrate critical engagement with theoretical concepts, methodological approaches, and critical challenges in conducting and appraising qualitative research, and be able to apply this knowledge within their research or practice. They will be able to:

Appraise a range of different methodological approaches in qualitative research to evaluate quality and to aid in the design of a qualitative research study
Discriminate between and compare a range of different methodological approaches to choose an approach most suited to a qualitative research question
Understand the challenges and complexities associated with qualitative research and recognise their implications for conducting qualitative research
Describe epistemological stances and how these inform the design of a qualitative research study
Understand how theory informs the analysis in a qualitative research study
Describe and apply advanced methods of qualitative data collection
Determine the different types of bias in qualitative research and how they impact on the findings
Understand the challenges associated with reflexivity and how it impacts on qualitative research
Develop the critical skills required to publish written reports of qualitative research

Students will need to have basic prior knowledge of:

Sampling and recruitment in qualitative research
Data collection methods (interviews, focus groups, ethnography)
Thematic analysis or another methodological approach
The ethical issues raised in undertaking qualitative research

If you do not have these pre-requisites, the Qualitative Research Methods course is recommended.

For a detailed comparison of these two courses please click here.

Programme details

This accredited short course is run over an eight week cycle where the first week is spent working on introductory activities using a Virtual Learning Environment, the second week is spent in Oxford for the face to face teaching week (this takes place on the dates advertised), there are then four weeks of lower intensity learning activities (delivered through the VLE) which are designed to help you write your assignment. You then have a week of personal study and you will be required to submit your assignment electronically the following week (usually on a Tuesday at 14:00 UK Local Time).

The last date for receipt of complete applications is 5pm Friday 14th March 2025. Regrettably, late applications cannot be accepted.

Dr Marta Wanat

Module coordinator.

Marta Wanat is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford. She works in the Oxford Infectious Diseases Research Group where she specialises in synthesising qualitative research with quantitative data.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be based on submission of a written assignment which should not exceed 4,000 words.

Academic Credit

Applicants may take this course for academic credit. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for this course. Participants attending at least 80% of the taught course and successfully completing assessed assignments are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 20 CATS points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification.

Applicants can choose not to take the course for academic credit and will therefore not be eligible to undertake the academic assignment offered to students taking the course for credit. Applicants cannot receive CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points or equivalence. Credit cannot be attributed retrospectively. CATS accreditation is required if you wish for the course to count towards a further qualification in the future.

A Certificate of Completion is issued at the end of the course.

Applicants registered to attend ‘not for credit’ who subsequently wish to register for academic credit and complete the assignment are required to submit additional information, which must be received one calendar month in advance of the course start date. Please contact us for more details.

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

Application

This course requires you to complete the application form and to attach a copy of your CV. If you are applying to take this course for academic credit you will also be required to provide a reference. Please note that if you are not applying to take the course for academic credit then you do not need to submit a reference.

Please ensure you read the guidance notes which appear when you click on the symbols as you progress through the application form, as any errors resulting from failure to do so may delay your application.

Short Course Application Form
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Selection criteria

To apply for the course you should:

Be a graduate or have successfully completed a professional training course
Have research or professional work experience in the health service or health-related field
Be able to combine intensive classroom learning with the application of the principles and practices of evidence-based health care within the work place
Have a good working knowledge of email, internet, word processing and Windows applications (for communications with course members, course team and administration)
Show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and an employer's commitment to make time available to study, complete course work and attend course and university events and modules.
Have completed an introductory course in qualitative research methods or have experience of conducting qualitative research projects. This course will not provide teaching on how to conduct fundamental aspects of qualitative research (e.g. sampling, data collection and analysis). For an introductory module on qualitative research apply for Qualitative Research Methods . For information on how these two courses compare, click here .
Be able to demonstrate English Language proficiency at the University’s higher level .

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre , within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms have been rated as 4-Star Campus accommodation under the Quality In Tourism scheme , and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme. Accommodation is not included in the course fee.

IT requirements

Please ensure that you have access to a computer that meets the specifications detailed on our technical support page.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support

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This is a an accredited short course and is part of the Evidence-Based Health Care portfolio of courses.

Scholarships are available (see fees and funding sections below for more information)

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Berkeley Global

Qualitative Research: Design, Implementation and Methods

DESIGN X440.2

Get an introduction to what qualitative research is, the types of qualitative research methods, the appropriate situations to apply qualitative methods, and how to conduct your own qualitative research. You learn to build a research protocol and use various techniques to design, conduct, analyze and present an informative research study.

At the end of the course, you are expected to conduct your own qualitative research study . To that end, you develop a research plan based on the given situation, collect data using qualitative methodologies , engage with various techniques for coding and analyzing qualitative data effectively, and present the data and insights in a manner that is best aligned with the goals of the research.

Prerequisites: None.

Course Outline

Course Objectives

Understand what constitutes qualitative research, how it differs from quantitative research and when to apply qualitative research methods
Identify and formulate appropriate qualitative research plans
Apply qualitative research data collection techniques
Develop coding schemes for analysis of qualitative data
Present qualitative data to inform and influence

What You Learn

Developing qualitative research questions
Building a research protocol
Observing, listening and probing: the core skills of a qualitative researcher
Qualitative sampling and participant recruitment
Understanding an overview of the qualitative data analysis process
Communicating your findings, from summary to interpretation
Presenting qualitative results

How You Learn

We are online! All of the design classes are conducted online and include video classes, mentor-led learning and peer-to-peer support through our student online platform, Canvas.

Reading assignments
Quizzes at instructor’s discretion
Small-group activities
Homework assignments
Capstone project

Is This Course Right for You?

This course is intended for students in the Professional Program in User Experience (UX) Design , or anybody interested in obtaining skills in qualitative research. You do not need preexisting research experience for this course. Our experienced instructors provide practical information, leverage their qualitative research skills and monitor your development along with peer-to-peer support on our student online platform.

Section 007

Type: Live Online

Instructor:

Melissa Schmidt

Cost: $1,107.00

See section 007 Details

Type Live Online

Schedule and Location

Instructional Hours

Live Online

Delivery Options

Available for Credit

Section Notes

Enroll early to secure a space in course. Enrollment will not be accepted after the second class meeting.

This course will be taught "Live-Online" where the instructor will lecture through the Zoom remote-learning platform at the same designated time every week.

The following minimum recommendation for UX Design:

Apple MacBook or PC

8 to 16GB RAM

Section Materials

(Mandatory)

UX Research: Practical Techniques for Designing Better Products by David Farkas

Spring 2025 enrollment opens on October 21!

Session Time-Out

Design x440.2 - 007 - qualitative research: design, implementation and methods, privacy policy, cookie policy.

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