FRM9925 ¨C Real World Research - Qualitative Methods

Course content

This course entails qualitative real world research methods at an advanced scientific level for research within the Social and Clinical Pharmacy area. The course contains both theoretical lectures and practical assignments. You will learn how to apply qualitative methods and reflect upon your research findings.?

Learning outcome

After completing this course you should:?

• Have an understanding of the foundations for qualitative methodology and methods.
• Have a broad understanding of a range of qualitative methods: focus groups, interviews, covert and overt observation and documentary analysis and different approaches for analysis.
• Have an understanding of how to use theory in qualitative research (inductive and deductive approaches).
• Be able to discuss the role of the researcher when using qualitative methods, including how preconceptions affect the research.
• Have an understanding of concepts such as different sampling strategies, saturation of data, and research ethics and quality of qualitative research.
• Have first-hand experience with interviews/observations, and be able to reflect upon them.
• Have a specific experience of a chosen method of analysis (will be chosen based on needs/wishes of participants).

Admission to the course

PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations by?contacting the study administration, studieinfo@farmasi.uio.no.

If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers¡¯ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.

PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must?apply for a position as a visiting student?within a given deadline.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

It is a prerequisite that the students are presently doing a PhD which include qualitative real world research methods.

Teaching

This course has three parts.

Part 1. Online lectures on e-Learning Platform and individual preparation

In Part 1, we expect participants to do individual work online on the eLearning platform, and read the course literature. It includes lectures and individual preparations. You will also meet other participants and have an opportunity to present yourself online. The structure is as follows:

Internet podcast lectures which you can watch in your own time.

1. Welcome. Structure of the course.
2. Theory, epistemology and methodology.
3. Focus groups and interviews.
4. Observation studies.
5. Sampling and recruitment.
6. Interview guide, development and transcription.
7. Ethics and informed consent.
8. The use of theory in scientific qualitative papers.
9. Data sources for document analysis.
10. Qualitative research in a quantitative environment.

Individual preparations:

a. You will tape a 2-minute presentation of yourself on who you are, your research interests, and what you hope to learn from the course.

b. You will make an interview relevant to your research field, and transcribe this. The transcript must be ready before the seminar in Oslo, where you will analyze them with other students.

Part 2. Workshop in Oslo (2 days)?

In Part 2, you will attend a two-day workshop in Oslo. We expect active participation from you both days. You will learn about how to use theory in qualitative research and how to analyze qualitative data using different approaches. We will discuss ethical issues performing qualitative research. You will get practical experience in observation methods, and will analyze your? interviews. You must be prepared to give others feedback, and you will also get feedback from fellow students and teachers.

Part 3. Webinar,?and written report

In Part 3, you will submit a written report about learning outcomes, where you reflect upon your own qualitative interviews and the use of qualitative theory and methods. You will be expected to give feedback comments to one fellow student. The written reports and feedback comments will be discussed in an online webinar in small groups with one of the teachers.

The webinar will take place online. Date will be decided with participants.

Mandatory student activities throughout the course:

• Watch 10 lectures and submit a 2-minute film on the e-Learning Platform
• Read the course material
• Perform one-two interviews and transcribe them prior to the workshop in Oslo
• Attend both days at the workshop in Oslo
• Submit written report after the workshop
• Give written feedback comments to one fellow student
• Attend an online webinar in small groups after the workshop

Examination

• Submit written report about learning outcomes after the workshop
• Attend online webinar in small groups after the workshop

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:

• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Withdrawal during an examination / Resitting an examination

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.