About This Course

Qualitative research provides richness, contextual understanding and great depth to any research question. Researchers tend to veer away from qualitative research as a method because of its seemingly complicated research approach in data collection, analysis and interpretation. But it doesn’t have to be. Qualitative research is important because it seeks to describe, understand and explain human behaviour. It is especially powerful for understanding complex concepts such as health, power, gender or race in a more nuanced way.

Qualitative research can be used to understand the research setting, improve design and tools, as well for triangulation: better understanding, insight and interpretation of research findings. Including qualitative component in research studies is of significant essence. Qualitative research can be used to answer many research questions or paired with quantitative methods. Therefore researchers, including quantitative researchers, should become skilled at qualitative methods.

The course objectives include helping participants achieve the overall understanding of qualitative research methodology, when to use qualitative research, key data-gathering methods in qualitative research, drafting of data tools, ensuring data quality in qualitative research, data synthesis and analysis using Nvivo software.