This course provides the student with the principles of qualitative approaches to health research. A core component of this course is training in analytic thinking as it is applied to qualitative methodologies and health research more generally. Students will acquire knowledge in the foundations of qualitative research as well as practical qualitative methods, such as interviews, observation, document analysis and focus groups. Students will be expected to participate in exercises designed to enhance skills and techniques throughout the course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the qualitative approach in health research;
2. Evaluate qualitative and mixed methods research;
3. Explain the relationship between research design and research methods;
4. Conduct their own qualitative research;
5. Develop a detailed qualitative research proposal.

Research-Led Teaching

This course explores the foundations of qualitative research design and provides students with the core concepts and techniques for qualitative fieldwork and applied interdisciplinary health research. Students will acquire knowledge and practice in qualitative theory, research design, collection, management, and analysis. A central component of the course is training in analytical thinking via the development of a research proposal.  Students will be expected to participate in a series of exercises designed to enhance skills and encourage reflective exploration of the research process. In addition to readings and lectures, students will design and pilot a research project during the semester.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments on assignments.
• Verbal comments.
• Feedback to the whole class.
• To groups; and
• To individuals.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

This class will be taught as a flipped classroom. Students are expected to complete the lectures and readings before class. Class (face-to-face and online) will include activities, discussion and questions.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Social and Cultural Understandings of Health and Wellbeing
2	Qualitative Research in Health
3	Research Design in Qualitative Methodologies
4	Sampling Strategies and Ethics
5	Interview Method
6	Interview Method
7	Focus Group Method
8	Observational Method
9	Text and Visual Methods
10	Data Management and Analysis
11	Data Management and Analysis
12	Writing a Proposal

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Research Journal	20 %	1,2,3
Interview assignment - pilot research proposal assignment (interview)	30 %	1,3,4,5
Research Proposal	50 %	1,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are expected to complete the weekly lectures and readings before the tutorial each week and contribute to class.

Assessment Task 1

Research Journal

Your engagement in this class depends entirely on you. I will do my best to make the lectures and class activities a thought-provoking and engaging experience. It is up to you to engage with the lectures, activities, WATTLE site and assignments. You will benefit from engagement because you’ll enjoy the class a great deal more, develop your understanding and learn from your peers.

Students will engage regularly through weekly memos posted on the WATTLE site. These reflections should provide critical reflection on the themes and issues covered in the required readings, lectures, class activities and your fellow classmate’s posts.

 

The memos should demonstrate a critical engagement with the course rather than merely summarizing content from the week. Students are encouraged to share thoughtful reflections on the weekly activities and readings to demonstrate that you have completed them. This includes things that you have learned, things you still want to learn, and any questions you have. Taking a conversational tone, as you would discussing these topics in class, can help you to demonstrate the ways in which you have considered the material in light of your developing research expertise and life experiences. This includes not only posting your own reflection but showing that you are reading and responding to ideas presented by your classmates.

Value: 20%

Word Limit: 250-450 words

Due Date: The journal is weekly and is expected to be completed before the next week’s tutorial. The date range for this task comprises weeks 1-6 and weeks 7-12. Submit on WATTLE. 

Return Date: Weekly

Assessment Task 2

Interview assignment - pilot research proposal assignment (interview)

This assignment allows students to begin structuring their research proposal (Assessment Task 3), design and pilot the interview method, and receive feedback. Students will design a project and data collection methods in order to pilot the project with consenting participants.

In developing a qualitative project and piloting the data collection methods students will be required to produce for this assignment:

• a preliminary research proposal including a research question and method of data collection (interview)
• consider ethical requirements of the proposed study
• draft an interview schedule
• conduct a pilot interview
• reflect on the research design in light of the pilot

Value: 30%

Word Limit: Approximately 3000 words in length. 

Due Date: 18 April. Submit via Turnitin on the class WATTLE site.

Expected Return Date: 3 May

Assessment Task 3

Research Proposal

This assignment builds on Assessment Task 2. Students will receive formative feedback from the lecturer on Assessment Task 2 which should be incorporated into Assessment Task 3. 

Using skills developed throughout the semester students will write a research proposal including five main sections:

• a brief introduction/literature review
• study rationale
• pilot findings
• research design
• ethics

Value: 50%

Word Limit: Approximately 3000 words in length. 

Due Date: 24 May. Submit via Turnitin on the class WATTLE site.

Expected Return Date: Final course grades will be available from ISIS

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned approximately two to three weeks after the submission date.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission is not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students