course-details-portlet

MH3013 - Qualitative methods 1

About

New from the academic year 2024/2025

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
School exam 100/100 4 hours E

Course content

The course provides a basic introduction to qualitative methods at Master's level with an emphasis on approaches in use within medicine and health sciences. Central themes include design, selection, data collection, analysis, reporting, research ethics and quality assessment of qualitative studies. It is emphasised which research questions are suitable to be answered with qualitative methods. Students are given practical experience in carrying out qualitative studies, with particular emphasis on design, data collection, analysis and presentation of results. Data collection will include individual and group interviews, observation and documents. Analysis emphasizes the common features and differences in different approaches to provide a basis for understanding and evaluating different analytical approaches.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing and passing the course, the student has

  • In-depth knowledge of qualitative research methods' history, characteristics and theoretical foundation of knowledge
  • Knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of different qualitative methods
  • In-depth knowledge of validity and reliability in qualitative studies
  • Knowledge of the usual research ethics principles and in-depth knowledge of research ethics in qualitative research
  • Knowledge of how a protocol for qualitative studies can be designed
  • Knowledge of how to make a simple critical assessment of review articles that include qualitative studies

Skills

After completing and passing the course, the student can:

  • Apply their knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of different qualitative methods in planning a qualitative study
  • Collect qualitative data in different ways
  • Analyse and present the results of a qualitative study
  • Make regular research ethics assessments for qualitative studies
  • Present an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of common methodological choices

General competence

After completing and passing the course, the student can:

  • Read and make a simple critical assessment of articles that use qualitative methods and make use of knowledge from qualitative studies
  • Master common forms of expression and terminology used in qualitative research
  • Apply their knowledge and skills about qualitative methods to plan a qualitative study under supervision
  • Communicate what qualitative methods are to the general public

Learning methods and activities

The teaching activities consist of lectures, group-based exercises including a compulsory course assignment, and presentation of and feedback on the exercises in larger groups. On days with timetabled teaching, there is an alternation between lectures, work with exercises in groups, and review of exercises. There will also be work on the exercises between days of timetabled teaching. One exercise is to give feedback on other groups' compulsory coursework. The work in the groups is self-organized.

Compulsory assignments

  • Course work - Compulsory group based written task

Further on evaluation

The compulsory group-based course assignment (compulsory 1) is the completion of a simple qualitative study with data collection, analysis of collected data, and a written presentation of method, results and method discussion designed as a scientific article. It is required that the compulsory course assignment has been approved before you can sit the exam. Approved compulsory activity is valid for three consecutive semesters after approval. It is a school exam and a letter grade is given. Aids are not allowed on the exam (Code E: No aids are allowed).

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Advanced Clinical Nursing (MAKALLMSP)
Advanced Nursing (SPVAKSPL)
Ageing and Elderly's Health (SPVIDAEHS)
Clinical Health Science (MKLIHEL)
Clinical Nursing (MKLISP)
Global Health (MSPUHE)
Health Care Management (MHLED)
Healthcare Informatics (MHI)
MH - Subjects on scientific methods at master's level (MHMETODE-H)
Master of Science in Specialised Nursing (MSPL)
Medical Imaging Technologies (MMEDBT)
Medical studies (CMED)
Mental Health (MPHLS)
Midwifery (MJORDMOR)
Miscellaneous Courses - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (EMNE/MH)
Molecular Medicine (MSMOLMED)
Neuroscience (MSNEUR)
Nursing education in cardiology (SPVKAR)
Pharmacy (MFARMASI)
Physical Activity and Health (MSPAHE)
Postgraduate Ultrasound Education for Midwives - Continuing Education (MDULTRALYD)
Public Health (MFHLS)
Public Health Nursing (MHELSP)

Required previous knowledge

Completed bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Course materials

An introductory book on qualitative methods, which is provided at the start, a compendium with complementary material and slides used in the lectures.

More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Second degree level

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2024

Language of instruction: English

Location: Ålesund , Gjøvik , Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Health Science
  • Public Health
Contact information
Course coordinator: Lecturer(s):

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Public Health and Nursing

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD School exam 100/100 E 2024-11-22 09:00 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD School exam 100/100 E 2025-04-04 09:00 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
SL311 lyseblå sone Sluppenvegen 14 1
M433-Eksamensrom 4.etg Mustad, Inngang A 1
C218 Ankeret/Hovedbygget 1
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

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