Introduction to Qualitative Research

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I am NOT a New York State Employee I Work for NYSDOH or a LHD in NYS

Overview

Qualitative research is “an inquiry process of understanding whereby the researcher builds a complex, holistic picture, analyzes words, reports detailed views of informants, and conducts the study in a natural setting,” (Creswell 249). In ‘Introduction to Qualitative Research,’ learners follow along with two staff members from the Huntsville Department of Health as they discuss key concepts in qualitative research and decide how to examine an underutilized program using qualitative methods. Through interactive exercises and feedback, learners will explore the most common approaches to and data collection methods in qualitative research. The following discussion was based on John W. Creswell’s Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design, a text commonly used in qualitative research methods courses. Additional resources and suggested readings are provided for those who are interested in learning more about specific topics and concept introduced in this training.

Who should take this course?

This course is designed for individuals who have a background in designing or implementing quantitative research and who would like to expand their work to include qualitative research. The course is ideal for those with a Master’s in public health or another social/behavioral or health science discipline or who have equivalent experience in the design or conduct of quantitative research.

Learning Objectives

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

  • Describe the rationale for using qualitative research to answer a particular question or to study a phenomenon of interest

  • Describe critical elements of each of the five main approaches to qualitative research

  • Describe the four main types of qualitative data collection methods including the main procedures and challenges associated with each

  • Select an appropriate data collection method(s) for a given study question or approach

  • Discuss commonly used strategies to ensure validity and reliability in qualitative research

Council on Linkages Core Competencies

  • 1B4 – Uses methods and instruments for collecting valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data
  • 1B8 – Employs ethical principles in the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and information
  • 1B9 – Interprets quantitative and qualitative data
  • 1C4 – Critiques methods and instruments for collecting valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data
  • 1C8 – Ensures the application of ethical principles in the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and information

Continuing Education Credits

1 Category I CECH in health education. This activity is sponsored by the New York City-Long Island-Lower Tri-County Public Health Training Center, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for the CHES to receive 1 Category I CECH in health education.

1 CPH credit. The New York City-Long Island-Lower Tri-County Public Health Training Center is a NBPHE pre-approved provider of CPH continuing education credits.  1 CPH CE will be awarded for participation in this activity.

Estimated time to complete

60 minutes

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