Course Coordinator: Dr Jaklin Eliott
Phone: +61 8313 3855
Email: jaklin.eliott@adelaide.edu.au

Learning and Teaching Team
Phone: +61 8313 2128
Email: postgrad_enq@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Level 7, 178 North Terrace

1	Outline the contribution to, and characteristics of, qualitative research in public health
2	Demonstrate the ability to make informed ethical decisions about the conduct of public health research
3	Critically evaluate the use of qualitative methods in public health research
4	Recognise and describe some of the major theoretical perspectives which inform qualitative research
5	Identify the major research methods used to collect data in qualitative research, and critique the advantages and disadvantages of each
6	Demonstrate capacity to appropriately collect, analyse, and report on qualitative data
7	Use terminology for the field of qualitative research correctly and contextually with appropriate referencing
8	Demonstrate ability to work effectively in teams and participate constructively in tutorials and practicals

Liamputtong, P. (2013) Qualitative research methods, 4th edn. Oxford University Press: Melbourne.

The prescribed text is integral to the course and may be purchased from Unibooks:
Unibooks
The University of Adelaide
ADELAIDE SA 5005
Phone: +61 8 8223 4366 Toll free: 1800 182 003
Fax: +61 8 8232 7315
Email: bookshop@unibooks.com.au
Website: www.unibooks.com.au

Other essentials readings will be available in electronic format through MyUni.

Hansen, E. (2006). Successful Qualitative Health Research. New York: Open University Press Quinn Patton M. (2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Crotty, M. (1998). The Foundations of social research. Meaning and perspective in the research process. Sydney, Allen and Unwin. [Note that this can be accessed as an e-text through the library catalogue, but you must use Internet Explorer – it cannot be viewed using Mozilla Firefox]

3.3.1 MyUni
All students enrolled in a postgraduate coursework program have access to a Postgraduate Coursework Student Centre on MyUni. This course is available on MyUni at www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/.
Please check the website regularly as it may contain announcements that are relevant to your study in the course. If you would like the opportunity to network with other students, you can use the Communication features in the site:
Discussion Board – Users can post discussion items and reply to other posts. Note: If you would like to have a specific Discussion Board Forum created, please send your request to jaklin.eliott@adelaide.edu.au
Send Email – This feature enables users to send email to fellow students.
Group Pages – Groups enable Users to collaborate with each other. Groups usually consist of a smaller group of Users in a course or organisation, such as study groups or project groups. From a Group Page, users may send email, exchange files, enter discussion forums or enter collaboration sessions.
Note: Only members of a particular Group can access the Group communication features (discussion forums, email, etc.). If you would like to have a specific Group Page created, please send your request to jaklin.eliott@adelaide.edu.au . For example, Group Pages can be created to include students living in the same geographical area or students working for the same organisation.
Please note that you also have access to individual MyUni sites for EACH course you are enrolled in. Please check the sites regularly as they may contain important announcements that are relevant to your study in the course.

3.3.2 Access Adelaide
Access Adelaide is the name of the online service that allows you to access and, in some cases, amend your records. It can be found at: https://access.adelaide.edu.au/sa/login.asp .
You can log into Access Adelaide to view:
your enrolment details for any term
your academic results
your unofficial academic transcript
your personal details
the fees, charges and payments on your University account
your exam schedule
your graduation eligibility details.
As a student you can:
change your address and telephone details (please inform the Discipline as well) change your password
set a password clue to help you remember your password.

3.3.3 Student email
It is important that you set up your student email and check it regularly. Information from your course coordinator and student administration will be sent to you at your University of Adelaide email address. It is your responsibility to check your email. You will need your student number located on your student card to log in. http://webmail.adelaide.edu.au/

3.3.4 Computers
Where can I use a computer in the University?
Computing facilities are provided to students by the University, and there are several suites of computers available, including at the Barr Smith Library and in Hub Central. The University web site has a list of computer labs at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/its/student_support/labs/

3.3.5 Internet access
The University provides a free dial-up service to students without the need for a commercial ISP account. This service is available at the cost of a local call to students residing within Adelaide (please refer to your telecommunications provider for confirmation of call costs). Students residing outside these numbers can dial into the University at STD call rates (www.adelaide.edu.au/its/desktop/dialup/).
Postgraduate Coursework students will receive a University Funded Quota of 500Mb.

This course focuses on the research methodologies and methods used to collect and manage qualitative data. Typically, sessions are scheduled as combined lecture/tutorials including readings that explain the philosophical or theoretical underpinnings of each methodology are coupled with papers reporting on a piece of research where the particular methodology has been used.
Students are given practical work each week that will help them understand the theory and principles underlying qualitative research, how to conduct qualitative research (including data collection and analysis) and they will have the opportunity to explore specific issues and dilemmas associated with using qualitative research. The following qualitative research topics will be covered:
The role of theory
Qualitative methodologies
Critical appraisal
Ethics
Data collection methods
Managing and analysing data
Cross cultural research and working with vulnerable/special populations
Dilemmas in Qualitative Research

The course comprises three hours every week, which will be a mixture of lectures and interactive exercises, and it is compulsory for all students to attend. Essential readings will be set every week, and we expect that all students will have read these before each session. If students do not do the essential reading/s, they will find it difficult to follow the theory section of the session. We will also provide further readings, for those students who would like more information on a particular topic.
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Face to Face lectures and practicals 3 hours / week
Core/background readings 2 hours / week
Preparation of assignments 2 hours / week
Group activities for assignments 1 hour / week (when required)

Week	Topic	Lecture
Week 1	Definitions & Ethical Aspects	What is Qualitative Research Ethics of Qualitative Research
Week 2	The role of Theory Theoretical Approach 1	Why use Theory in Qualitative Research? Phenomenology / Hermeneutics
Week 3	Issues in Qualitative Design	Sampling, Rigour and Validity Critical Appraisal
Week 4	Student Group Presentations 1	Controversies in Qualitative Research
Week 5	Theoretical Approach 2	Critical Approaches: Actions Research, Feminist & Discursive Analysis
Week 6	Research with special populations	Cross-cultural & indigenous research Research with vulnerable populations
Week 7	Theoretical Approach 3 Methodology 1	Ethnography & Critical Ethnography Focus groups
Week 8	Methodology 2	Interviews Transcription
Week 9	Methodology 3	Coding Thematic Analysis
Week 10	Student Group Presentations 2	Researching with Vulnerable Population
Week 11	Theoretical Approaches 4 Methodology 4	Grounded Theory Mixed Methods & Health Services Research
Week 12	Proposing and presenting research	Developing a Qualitative Research Proposal Writing up your research Summing up

Assessment Task	Assessment Type	Due	Weighting	Learning Outcome(s) being addressed
Group Assessment 1	Summative	Tuesday 25th March	10%	1, 2, 7, 8
Assignment 1	Summative	Monday 7th April	20%	1, 2, 7, 8
Group Assessment 2	Summative	Tuesday 20th May	10%	3, 5, 6, 7
Assignment 2	Summative	Monday 2nd June	30%	1, 3, 7, 8
Assignment 3	Summative	Monday 21st June	30%	1-8

Group Assessment 1 (10%).
Presenting current controversies in Qualitative Research.
Students will be divided into groups and will be given a current controversy in qualitative research. Each group will develop detailed and specific information around the nominated subject and will provide a short minute presentation in Week 4.

Group Assessment 2 (10%). Issues surrounding research with a specific special/vulnerable populations
Students will be divided into groups and each group will nominate a specific “special population group”. They will then identify the issues associated with conducting research (and any issues specific to conducting qualitative research) with this group (hint: think about the ethical sensitivities that might be involved, and consider the NH&MRC guidelines, as well as the practicalities involved). Each group will make a short minute presentation to the class in Week 10.

Assignment 1: (20%).
Critical Appraisal of a provided article:
Each student must submit a written critical appraisal of the nominated article (max 1000 words). There will be time to discuss the critical appraisal of the article in small groups in class.

Assignment 2: (20%)
Coding, thematic analysis and a summary of a short piece of data
Students will be required to code and thematically analyse a transcript that will be provided (max 2000 words).

Assignment 3: (30%)
Developing an Ethics Application for a nominated research project
Assignment 3 requires you to complete an ethics application to the University of Adelaide Human Ethics Research Committee for one of nominated provided research projects:
Forms for the application can be found at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/ethics/human/guidelines/applications You must consider the requirements of the "National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007)": http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e72syn.htm which has sections on both Qualitative Research and researching with particular populations.
If you are researching with Indigenous communities, the NHMRC (and hence all Ethics Committees) also requires you to consider "Values and Ethics - Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research":
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e52syn.htm

5.4.1 Submission of Assignments
Assignments should be submitted through the “Assignments” section of MyUni. Instructions on how to submit an assignment in this way can be found at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/tutorials/
Assignments must be submitted by 11.59 pm on the day that they are due. (note that MyUni will accept your assignment after this time but it will be marked Late.
Feedback on assignments will be provided to students within 4 weeks of completion of the task so that students can take advantage of this feedback.

5.4.2 Extension of Time for Assessment Items
Up to one week
It is expected that all assessments will be submitted by the specified time on the specified due date.
However, students may apply for an extension of time to submit an assessment, if they are experiencing difficulty. Applications for extension must be made to the Course Coordinator Jaklin.eliott@adelaide.edu.au in writing (e.g. email) prior to the due date lodgement of the assignment. Anticipate that it may take a few days to receive a reply. The grounds for granting an extension include health problems, compassionate reasons and other extenuating circumstances. Extensions will usually only be granted for a maximum of one week, but can be longer at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Academic Progress Committee if substantiated with evidence such as a medical certificate. Only original documents or certified copies of originals will be accepted.
You will be notified by email to your University of Adelaide student email account of the outcome of your application. If your extension is granted then it is your responsibility to keep in contact with the course coordinator and to hand in the assessment with a copy of the email (or other document) approving the extension. Failure to submit an assessment item on time without an approved extension will incur a penalty as detailed under ‘Late Submission of Work’.

Longer than one week
If you require an extension for longer than one week, please contact the Course Co-ordinator Jaklin Eliott on Jaklin.eliott@adelaide.edu.au to discuss your request. If you require an extension for longer than a week due to illness, a medical certificate will be required.
Failure to submit an assessment item on time without an approved extension will incur a penalty as detailed under ‘Late Submission of Work’.


5.4.3 Late Submission of Work
All assignments should be submitted by 11.59pm on the due date.
Late submission without an approved extension will be penalised at the rate of 10% of available marks for each day after the due date. Work submitted more than ten days after the due date may be returned unmarked. This action will be taken to prevent students who do get their work in on time being disadvantaged.

5.4.4 Word Limit
You are advised to comply with word limits. You are, of course, not expected to achieve exactly the required length and a 10% leeway on either side is acceptable. However, a penalty of 5% of available marks will apply for word limit in excess of the 10% leeway.

5.4.5 Presentation
It is essential that you reference all written work accurately and consistently. We ask that use the American Psychological Society Referencing Format (APA 6) and information regarding this system can be found at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ .

A Guide to APA 6th Edition, developed by Monash University will also be provided in MyUni.

EndNote bibliographic software is a very useful tool for managing your references and it is provided free of charge through the university. Information about EndNote can be found at:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/gen/bibsoft/

Be aware that marks will be deducted for incorrect referencing in all assignments.