Module manager: Rebecca Hawkins
Email: r.hawkins@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
As per student's parent programme
This module is not approved as an Elective
Qualitative methodology and methods play an essential role in health and social care research. This module will provide you with a strong foundation in the design and conduct of qualitative research. Our interactive and seminar-style teaching is designed to facilitate your learning. You will be supported by a team of active researchers with expertise in qualitative health and social care research. You will learn how to design qualitative research questions; employ an appropriate qualitative methodology; design strategies for sampling, data collection and analysis; employ techniques to ensure your research is ethically sound and inclusive; and critically appraise qualitative research. Working in small groups, you will have the opportunity to gain hands on experience in analysing qualitative data using a range of techniques. By the end of this module, you will be able to design a small-scale qualitative research project; critically appraise qualitative health and social care research; and apply your knowledge in practice to collect and analyse qualitative data.
This module aims to provide you with a thorough understanding of the role and application of qualitative approaches in applied health and social care research. You will learn how to design and carry out qualitative research, analyse data and critically evaluate existing research in this field. This module will also show you how to ensure research is inclusive, ethical and reflective of diverse populations.
We will use a mix of lecturers and group-based activities.
- Through lectures, you will be introduced to key qualitive research methods, including different approaches to designing a study, collecting qualitative data and analysing findings. You will also learn about ethical considerations in qualitative research and how to ensure research is high-quality and meaningful.
- Through group-based activities, you will apply what you have learnt in a practical way. You will discuss real world examples in health and social care, undertake qualitative analysis, and develop skills in designing and critically assessing qualitative research.
On successful completion of the module, you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes aligned with the Leeds Skills Matrix:
1) Critically evaluate and use information sources to develop knowledge, support arguments and draw informed conclusions regarding qualitative research design and practice.
This maps onto the Leeds Skill Matrix: Academic skills: critical thinking and information searching.
2) Communicate and present research ideas clearly and backed up with appropriate knowledge
This maps onto the Leeds Skill Matrix: Work ready skills: communication and creativity. Academic skills: presentation skills, information searching and critical thinking.
3) Apply knowledge of qualitative research to real world research and practical examples.
This maps onto the Leeds Skill Matrix: Work ready skills – critical thinking.
Subject specific learning outcomes (SSLO)
On successful completion of the module and associated assessment, you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1) Design a qualitative health and/or social care research question and identify an appropriate methodology, sampling strategy, data collection and analysis method(s), ethical approach to address the question
2) Apply your knowledge to analyse qualitative data
3) Critically appraise published qualitative research
4) Engage critically with the processes of demonstrating quality in qualitative research
5) Design qualitative research that employs techniques to enhance equality, diversity, inclusion, and public and patient involvement (PPI) in applied health and social care research
The module will include topics on:
1. The role and contribution of qualitative approaches in applied health and social care research
- Understanding the importance of qualitative research in health and social care.
- The key differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches.
2. Qualitative study design
- Different approaches to qualitative approaches (e.g. ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory)
- Sampling in qualitative research
- Ethical considerations in qualitative research
- Demonstrating quality in qualitative research (e.g. trustworthiness, reflexivity, transparency).
3. Generating qualitative data
- Designing and facilitating interviews/focus groups
- Observational methods in qualitative research
- Creative methods
4. Analysing qualitative data
- Approaches to qualitative data analysis including grounded theory, phenomenology, and discourse analysis.
- Coding, interpretating and presenting qualitative data.
5. Conducting qualitative research in a health and social care research context
- Practical considerations when applying qualitative research in health and social care settings
- Public and patient involvement (PPI) in qualitative research
- Addressing challenges in applied qualitative health research
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 4 | 0.5 | 2 |
| Practical | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Seminar | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Seminar | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Seminar | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Seminar | 7 | 1.5 | 10.5 |
| Independent online learning hours | 5 | ||
| Private study hours | 124 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 21 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Small group work with regular tutor support will take place throughout the module taught sessions providing you with regular opportunities for formative feedback with experts on the topics being covered. You will engage in group work throughout the module, including designing a hypothetical research study, devising an interview topic guide, analysing qualitative data, and critiquing published qualitative research. There will be opportunities to discuss topics and ask questions with tutors throughout the module, as well as during a Q&A session on the last day. In addition, a group presentation of a hypothetical qualitative research study on the final day of the module will provide opportunity for further feedback from peers and tutors (forming the module’s formative assessment).
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Critique | Critical appraisal of proposal | 60 |
| Presentation | Presentation of qualitative data analysis | 40 |
| Presentation | Formative - Group presentation of a hypothetical qualitative health research study design (in-class) | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Compensation is not permitted across summative components (e.g. a pass mark in all components of the assessment is required to pass the module). Resits will be in the same format as the original failed piece of coursework. Module marks will be capped at 50% on successful resit of any failed assessment in the module.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team