HLTH3102 Qualitative Methods for Social Health Research

This topic will introduce students to the relevance and implications of qualitative research to investigate contemporary and emerging social health issues.

It will equip students to evaluate and justify the use of qualitative forms of research that comprise best evidence-based practice.

This topic aims to:

• Develop and apply knowledge of the value, purpose and quality of qualitative social health research
• Promote skills in the critical evaluation of qualitative research relating to health issues and experiences, to ensure high quality evidence-based practice

1. Demonstrate innovative thinking relating to social health research and its use-value
2. Apply appropriate qualitative epistemologies and methodologies to a social health research question
3. Identify the practical applications of qualitative research methods to social health issues
4. Articulate the theoretical aspects underpinning qualitative research and address issues of validity of interpretations and generalisability of findings
5. Critically appraise qualitative health research
6. Demonstrate the value of health research in practice, using examples from social research such as: needs assessment and quality improvement for community development; policy evaluation, critical discourse analysis and understanding lay health knowledge