Qualitative Health Research Methods

This course will suit novices to qualitative research and those who have some experience, but want to hone their skills. It is designed to suit busy professionals and full-time students alike.

The programme has teachers with significant experience in research and teaching. The flexible structure of the course has been devised to fit with the structure of specialist training and to accommodate student choice. Through face-to-face and online sessions, students will develop excellence in the design, conduct and critical appraisal of qualitative research. All sessions are led by expert tutors with significant experience in research and teaching.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Qualitative Health Research Methods is a part-time course. The course comprises three modules:

• Qualitative Research Methods
• Advanced Qualitative Research Methods; and
• Mixed Methods in Health Research.

Each module runs for eight weeks. The majority of learning is conducted online with three face-to-face teaching weeks held in Oxford. Assessments are conducted at the end of each module and comprise a written paper, submitted via an online portal.

Further details about the course modules can be found on the course page on the Department for Continuing Education website (see Further Information and Enquiries).

Assessment for each module will be based on a written assignment of not more than 4,000 words.

This course aims to provide holistic training in qualitative methods, developing students’ ability to design, conduct and critically appraise qualitative research and their ability to engage with theory and wider debates.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• independently develop, design and conduct primary qualitative research, confidently adopting a flexible approach as per the philosophical underpinnings of this mode of naturalistic inquiry;
• critically reflect on their role (and the role of the research team) in the research process, appreciating the consequences this has on the research they conduct, whilst endeavouring to mitigate its impact;
• critically engage with all aspects of qualitative research, including various methodological approaches and quality appraisal; and
• critically engage with theory and wider debate in qualitative research (including on elements associated with rigour, such as critical appraisal).

This is a joint programme between the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and the Department for Continuing Education. The programme works in collaboration with the renowned Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine in Oxford.

The allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and/or the Department for Continuing Education and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the department.

This course will equip students with skills and knowledge to help them develop their careers by conducting qualitative research. As such, it will prepare students for academic or applied research.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

Courses suggested by the lead department

Health Research PGDip
Health Research PGCert
Evidence-Based Health Care MSc
Evidence-Based Health Care (Medical Statistics)MSc
Evidence-Based Health Care (Systematic reviews) MSc
Evidence-Based Health Care DPhil
Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care PGCert

All graduate courses in this area offered by the Department for Continuing Education

Cognitive Behavioural Studies PGCert

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy MSc

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGDip

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGCert

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy DPhil

Continuing Education DPhil

Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGCert

Evidence Based Health Care (Medical Statistics) MSc

Evidence Based Health Care (Systematic Reviews) MSc

Evidence-Based Health Care DPhil

Evidence-Based Health Care MSc

Experimental and Translational Therapeutics MSc

Health Research PGDip

Health Research PGCert

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy MSt

Paediatric Infectious Diseases MSc

Paediatric Infectious Diseases PGDip

Patient Safety PGCert

Psychodynamic Counselling PGCert

Psychodynamic Practice MSt

Psychodynamic Practice PGDip

Qualitative Health Research Methods PGCert

Surgical Science and Practice MSc

Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care PGCert

Translational Health Sciences MSc

All graduate courses offered by the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences

Evidence Based Health Care (Medical Statistics) MSc

Evidence Based Health Care (Systematic Reviews) MSc

Evidence-Based Health Care DPhil

Evidence-Based Health Care MSc

Health Research PGDip

Health Research PGCert

Primary Health Care DPhil

Qualitative Health Research Methods PGCert

Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care PGCert

Translational Health Sciences MSc

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Entry requirements