About the course

The PGCert in Qualitative Health Research Methods will inspire excellence by equipping students with the skills they need to become future leaders in qualitative health research, particularly in designing, conducting and critically appraising qualitative research.

This course will suit novices to qualitative research, as well as those who have some experience but want to hone their skills. It is designed to suit busy professionals and full-time students alike.

The flexible structure of the course has been devised to fit with the structure of specialist training and to accommodate student choice. Through face-to-face and online sessions, students will develop excellence in the design, conduct and critical appraisal of qualitative research.

This course aims to provide holistic training in qualitative methods, developing students’ ability to design, conduct and critically appraise qualitative research and their ability to engage with theory and wider debates.

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

• independently develop, design and conduct primary qualitative research, confidently adopting a flexible approach as per the philosophical underpinnings of this mode of naturalistic inquiry;
• critically reflect on their role (and the role of the research team) in the research process, appreciating the consequences this has on the research they conduct, whilst endeavouring to mitigate its impact;
• critically engage with all aspects of qualitative research, including various methodological approaches and quality appraisal; and
• critically engage with theory and wider debate in qualitative research (including on elements associated with rigour, such as critical appraisal).

This is a joint programme between the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and the Department for Continuing Education. The programme works in collaboration with the renowned Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine in Oxford.

Assessment

Assessments are conducted at the end of each module and comprise a written paper, submitted via an online portal. The length of each written assignment should not exceed 4,000 words.

Graduate destinations

This course will equip students with skills and knowledge to help them develop their careers by conducting qualitative research. As such, it will prepare students for academic or applied research.