PUB461 Qualitative Inquiry in Public Health
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | PUB461 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,104 |
| International unit fee | $4,488 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | PUB461 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Christina Malatzky | christina.malatzky@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Qualitative methods enable researchers to gain knowledge and understanding of people's lived experiences, the meanings they ascribe to them, and to the social context in which they take place. The nature and complexity of many public health problems require a mix of research methods and the contributions of qualitative inquiry are now well recognised. This unit is an integral component of the public health course because you will learn the skills and knowledge required to appreciate and apply qualitative research in your professional practice. This unit builds on the research knowledge and skills developed in previous units in the course.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically appraise qualitative research through a qualitative lens.
- Identify and consider the ethical issues in qualitative research.
- Implement a sampling strategy for collecting qualitative data.
- Interpret and analyse qualitative data for an academic public health audience.
- Persuade collaborative partners of the importance of qualitative inquiries for a public health issue.
Content
Major topics addressed in this unit include:
- Overview and foundations of qualitative research;
- Key concepts and debates in qualitative research;
- Different interdisciplinary qualitative approaches;
- Contributions of qualitative inquiry to public health research;
- Ethical issues including the relationship between the researcher and the research participants;
- Achieving methodological rigour in qualitative research;
- Sampling strategies;
- Data collection techniques including interviews focus groups and participant observation;
- Analysis of qualitative data including manual coding procedures;
- Interpreting and reporting qualitative findings to different audiences.
Throughout all aspects of this unit you will be expected to demonstrate sensitivity to, and an understanding of, cultural and social related issues as appropriate.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- lectures (delivered on-campus and recordings are available online)
- tutorials (separate online and on-campus offerings)
- online readings and learning materials
- real world examples of qualitative public health research
- peer feedback
- Library support for search skills in qualitative public health research
- Student Success Group support workshops
This unit engages you in your learning through an inquiry-based learning approach. In order to maximise your learning experience in this unit active participation in learning activities is expected of you. The unit will use a blend of synchronous and asynchronous activities to introduce relevant concepts and provide opportunities for you to practise and develop skills in the critical appraisal of qualitative research, and in the collection and analysis of qualitative data.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Formative assessment will be provided in workshops where you will have the opportunity to seek guidance and gain feedback on the unit content and assessment items. You will receive written feedback on your first assessment, which will prepare you for your final assessment. In your final assessment you will receive peer feedback.
Assessment
Overview
There are three assessments in this unit:
1. Research Proposal - This will connect to what you have learnt about qualitative approaches to research and develop a clear rationale for a research project, formulate a research question and develop a research plan.
2. An analysis of qualitative data - This will develop your qualitative analysis skills in response to specific research questions and the skills to write the findings section of a research article.
3. Pitching presentation - This will utilise your persuasive communication skills to pitch your qualitative research to a potential collaborative partner.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Research proposal
You will take on the role of a public health researcher who has identified a public health issue that you would like to research. You will develop a qualitative research proposal for potential research funding.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: An analysis of qualitative data
Following on from your research proposal, you will collect publicly available qualitative data. You will analyse the data and present it in a report for a public health academic audience.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Pitching presentation
You will prepare a short 'pitch' that highlights the findings and implications of your research to a potential collaborative partner who you wish to engage and work with in the area. Respond to the questions and/or feedback offered by the collaborative partner. You will also listen to the partner's pitch and pose a useful question and/or offer one piece of constructive feedback on the pitch.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
You are not required to purchase a textbook for this unit but if you wish to do so, these are the recommended textbooks.
There are two recommended text books for this unit:
Liamputtong, P. (2013). Qualitative Research Methods (4th ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press. $79.95. There are five copies of this book in the Kelvin Grove library.
Given, L. M. (2016). 100 Questions (and Answers) about Qualitative Research. Los Angeles Sage Publications.
Risk Assessment Statement
No risks beyond the ordinary would be anticipated in association with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.PU52 Bachelor of Public Health
- Apply public health principles and evidence to improve population health outcomes.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Research proposal , An analysis of qualitative data - Critically analyse scholarly literature and effectively conduct research to inform evidence based public health practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, Research proposal , An analysis of qualitative data - Communicate with professional, non-professional and community audiences about public health using diverse technologies.
Relates to: ULO4, ULO5, An analysis of qualitative data , Pitching presentation - Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse individuals, groups and communities, including Indigenous Australians.
Relates to: ULO2, Research proposal - Collaborate and negotiate with key stakeholders to advocate for the health and wellbeing of communities and populations.
Relates to: ULO5, Pitching presentation
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Online
| Unit code: | PUB461 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
Qualitative methods enable researchers to gain knowledge and understanding of people's lived experiences, the meanings they ascribe to them, and to the social context in which they take place. The nature and complexity of many public health problems require a mix of research methods and the contributions of qualitative inquiry are now well recognised. This unit is an integral component of the public health course because you will learn the skills and knowledge required to appreciate and apply qualitative research in your professional practice. This unit builds on the research knowledge and skills developed in previous units in the course.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically appraise qualitative research through a qualitative lens.
- Identify and consider the ethical issues in qualitative research.
- Implement a sampling strategy for collecting qualitative data.
- Interpret and analyse qualitative data for an academic public health audience.
- Persuade collaborative partners of the importance of qualitative inquiries for a public health issue.
Content
Major topics addressed in this unit include:
- Overview and foundations of qualitative research;
- Key concepts and debates in qualitative research;
- Different interdisciplinary qualitative approaches;
- Contributions of qualitative inquiry to public health research;
- Ethical issues including the relationship between the researcher and the research participants;
- Achieving methodological rigour in qualitative research;
- Sampling strategies;
- Data collection techniques including interviews focus groups and participant observation;
- Analysis of qualitative data including manual coding procedures;
- Interpreting and reporting qualitative findings to different audiences.
Throughout all aspects of this unit you will be expected to demonstrate sensitivity to, and an understanding of, cultural and social related issues as appropriate.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- lectures (delivered on-campus and recordings are available online)
- tutorials (separate online and on-campus offerings)
- online readings and learning materials
- real world examples of qualitative public health research
- peer feedback
- Library support for search skills in qualitative public health research
- Student Success Group support workshops
This unit engages you in your learning through an inquiry-based learning approach. In order to maximise your learning experience in this unit active participation in learning activities is expected of you. The unit will use a blend of synchronous and asynchronous activities to introduce relevant concepts and provide opportunities for you to practise and develop skills in the critical appraisal of qualitative research, and in the collection and analysis of qualitative data.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Formative assessment will be provided in workshops where you will have the opportunity to seek guidance and gain feedback on the unit content and assessment items. You will receive written feedback on your first assessment, which will prepare you for your final assessment. In your final assessment you will receive peer feedback.
Assessment
Overview
There are three assessments in this unit:
1. Research Proposal - This will connect to what you have learnt about qualitative approaches to research and develop a clear rationale for a research project, formulate a research question and develop a research plan.
2. An analysis of qualitative data - This will develop your qualitative analysis skills in response to specific research questions and the skills to write the findings section of a research article.
3. Pitching presentation - This will utilise your persuasive communication skills to pitch your qualitative research to a potential collaborative partner.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Research proposal
You will take on the role of a public health researcher who has identified a public health issue that you would like to research. You will develop a qualitative research proposal for potential research funding.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: An analysis of qualitative data
Following on from your research proposal, you will collect publicly available qualitative data. You will analyse the data and present it in a report for a public health academic audience.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Pitching presentation
You will prepare a short 'pitch' that highlights the findings and implications of your research to a potential collaborative partner who you wish to engage and work with in the area. Respond to the questions and/or feedback offered by the collaborative partner. You will also listen to the partner's pitch and pose a useful question and/or offer one piece of constructive feedback on the pitch.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
You are not required to purchase a textbook for this unit but if you wish to do so, these are the recommended textbooks.
There are two recommended text books for this unit:
Liamputtong, P. (2013). Qualitative Research Methods (4th ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press. $79.95. There are five copies of this book in the Kelvin Grove library.
Given, L. M. (2016). 100 Questions (and Answers) about Qualitative Research. Los Angeles Sage Publications.
Risk Assessment Statement
No risks beyond the ordinary would be anticipated in association with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.PU52 Bachelor of Public Health
- Apply public health principles and evidence to improve population health outcomes.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Research proposal , An analysis of qualitative data - Critically analyse scholarly literature and effectively conduct research to inform evidence based public health practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, Research proposal , An analysis of qualitative data - Communicate with professional, non-professional and community audiences about public health using diverse technologies.
Relates to: ULO4, ULO5, An analysis of qualitative data , Pitching presentation - Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse individuals, groups and communities, including Indigenous Australians.
Relates to: ULO2, Research proposal - Collaborate and negotiate with key stakeholders to advocate for the health and wellbeing of communities and populations.
Relates to: ULO5, Pitching presentation