Introduction:
Qualitative research continues to enjoy increasing interest and use within a range of disciplines. In line with this increase, there are more demands to ensure that the quality of qualitative research is high. This means ensuring that such research is theoretically and conceptually supported; that analysis is thorough; and that it is well documented and disseminated appropriately. This workshop will focus on strengthening skills in qualitative research for behavioural medicine, for beginners and those who have some experience. In particular the focus will be on assessing the quality of qualitative research and how to design effective studies that are matched to an appropriate research question.
Attention is also paid to the process of analysis and how best to articulate this in written reports.
Objectives:
To establish when it is appropriate to use qualitative methodology
To understand data collection methods and analytic techniques and relevant distinctions between them
To describe and critique writing qualitative reports
To explain how to maximise quality in qualitative research
Workshop activities
Designing and practising interview questions
Practising qualitative analysis & documenting methods
Personal reflections
Description of the intended participants: The workshop is suitable for participants who are new to qualitative research and those who wish to enhance their existing skills or learn about a new analytic technique.
Brief information on the presenters/facilitators; Sally Sargeant is an Assistant Professor in Behavioural Sciences in the School of Medicine at Bond University, Australia. She has advised on many qualitative projects which have led to successful grant applications. She is an editorial board member of Qualitative Health Research and is committed to promoting good practice in qualitative data analysis.