Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Qualitative methods enable researchers to gain knowledge and understanding of people's lived experiences, the meanings they ascribe to them, and to the social context in which they take place. The nature and complexity of many public health problems require a mix of research methods and the contributions of qualitative inquiry are now well recognised. This unit is an integral component of the public health course because you will learn the skills and knowledge required to appreciate and apply qualitative research in your professional practice. This unit is placed at this point in the course because you have acquired a sound knowledge and understanding of the fundamental and complex public health concepts to be able to develop specific research knowledge and skills. Even for those practitioners and professionals who are not directly involved in research, the ability to appraise qualitative research is a necessary skill for effective evidence-based public health practice. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of qualitative methods is therefore essential to all public health practitioners.

Aims

This unit aims to provide an understanding of the qualitative research paradigm and to develop basic skills in conducting and appraising qualitative research.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Critically appraise the soundness and trustworthiness of qualitative research.
   
2. Identify and consider the ethical issues in qualitative research.
   
3. Demonstrate skills in the collection of qualitative data.
   
4. Identify the most appropriate data analysis technique for a given research project.
   
5. Demonstrate skills in the analysis of qualitative data.
   
6. Interpret and report the findings of qualitative research

Content

Major topics addressed in this unit include:

• Overview and foundations of qualitative research.
  
• Key concepts and debates in qualitative research.
  
• Different qualitative approaches, for example, phenomenography, ethnography and grounded theory.
  
• Contributions of qualitative inquiry to public health research.
  
• Integrating qualitative and quantitative methods.
  
• Ethical issues including the relationship between the researcher and the research participants.
  
• Achieving methodological rigour in qualitative research.
  
• Sampling strategies.
  
• Data collection techniques including interviews focus groups and participant observation.
  
• Analysis of qualitative data including manual coding procedures.
  
• Introduction to software packages, including NUD*IST and NVIVO
  
• Interpreting and reporting qualitative findings.

Throughout all aspects of this unit you will be expected to demonstrate sensitivity to and an understanding of cultural and gender related issues will be demonstrated as appropriate.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit is available for internal study. Lectorials will introduce relevant concepts and provide opportunities for you to practise and develop skills in the critical appraisal of qualitative research, and in the collection and analysis of qualitative data.

Assessment

There are three assessments to be completed throughout the semester.

Formative assessment will be provided in weekly tutorials where you will have the opportunity to seek guidance and gain feedback on the assessment items.Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points. You will be provided with feedback on each assessment item as you progress through the unit.

Assessment name: Portfolio Part A
Description: As the first part of your portfolio, you will be required to develop a research proposal and collect qualitative data.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3,4,5,6
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Portfolio Part B
Description: As the second component of your portfolio will consist of qualitative data analysis of your research findings.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 10

Assessment name: Portfolio Part C
Description: The final component of your portfolio will be the oran oran and printed presentation of your research findings.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,4,5,6
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

You are not required to purchase a textbook for this unit but if you wish to do so, these are the recommended textbooks.

There is one recommended text book for this unit:

Liamputtong, P & Ezzy, D. (2005). Qualitative Research Methods (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Risk assessment statement

No risks beyond the ordinary would be anticipated in association with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 14-May-2012