EPN-V2

PHVIT9200 Qualitative Methods Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Kvalitative metoder
Study programme
Health Science Research Programme
PhD Programme in Health Sciences
Ph.D. programme in Health Sciences - Individual Courses
Weight
5.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
Course history

Introduction

This course is based on PHVIT9100, Health Sciences II: Philosophy of Science, Research Ethics and Research Methodology. The course takes a critical perspective of key methodological traditions in qualitative research, focusing particularly on phenomenology, hermeneutics, and discourse analysis. Topics covered include research design, research interviews and different forms of interviewing methods, and observation as a research method. Emphasis is placed on the application of advanced strategies for analysing complex data material within the respective research traditions.

Required preliminary courses

Admission to the PhD programme.

The course can also be offered to students who have been admitted to the "Health Science Research Programme, 60 ECTS", by prior approval from the supervisor and based on given guidelines for the research programme.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the PhD candidate has achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The PhD candidate:

  • is at the forefront of knowledge in selected qualitative research designs and their theoretical basis, and related methodological considerations
  • has in-depth knowledge and understanding of interviews and observation as methodological research tools in the phenomenological, hermeneutic, and discourse-analytic research traditions
  • can evaluate the usefulness of different forms of analysis, interpretation, and documentation within the relevant traditions

Skills

The PhD candidate can:

  • plan a health science research project with relevant qualitative designs and methods
  • analyse, interpret, and disseminate the results of qualitative research
  • address complex scientific issues and challenge established knowledge and practice in qualitative methodology

General competence

The PhD candidate can:

  • argue in favour of particular qualitative approaches based on scientific theory
  • identify relevant ethical issues and conduct research based on qualitative methodology with professional integrity
  • participate in discussions on qualitative methodology

Teaching and learning methods

Work and teaching methods consist of lectures, seminars, self-study, practical exercises in pilot interviews, and analysis of authentic interviews and observation notes. The outcomes of the seminars are presented and discussed in plenary sessions.

Course requirements

None

Assessment

Individual home examination based on specific questions. To be submitted no more than 2 weeks after the end of the course. Answer papers must consist of up to 3,500 words.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All

Grading scale

I dette emnet blir studentene introdusert for vitenskapelig publisering. En vitenskapelig publikasjon inneholder en analyse av et bestemt vitenskapelig problem, metoder og resultater av undersøkelsen, og vitenskapelig underbygde konklusjoner. Vitenskapelige artikler gjennomgår fagfellevurdering før det avgjøres om de skal tas inn i et vitenskapelig tidsskrift. Hovedfokuset i dette emnet vil være å lære hvordan man skriver og publiserer en vitenskapelig artikkel, regler for medforfatterskap, samt finne et passende tidsskrift.

Examiners

Opptak til studiet.

Admission requirements

Etter gjennomført emne har studenten følgende læringsutbytte definert i kunnskap, ferdigheter og generell kompetanse:

Kunnskap

Studenten

  • kan gjøre rede for kvalitetskravene og prosessene for publisering av vitenskapelig forskning
  • har avansert kunnskap om regler for forfatterskap: Vancouver-reglene
  • kan gjøre rede for innholdet i Helsinkideklarasjonen
  • kan gjøre rede for ulike sjekklister for vitenskapelig publisering og kanalregisteret

Ferdigheter

Studenten

  • kan vurdere hensiktsmessig valg av tidsskrift
  • kan vurdere og anvende retningslinjer for hvordan rapportere ulike studiedesign
  • kan vurdere retningslinjer til forfattere i et tidsskrift
  • kan skrive cover letter
  • kan vurdere og gi tilbakemelding på fagfellevurdering for vitenskapelig tidsskrift

Generell kompetanse

Studenten

  • kan kritisk vurdere egne og andres forskningsresultater/publikasjoner
  • har oversikt over nasjonale og internasjonale formidlingskanaler innenfor sitt forskningsområde
  • kan anvende grunnleggende prinsipper for vitenskapelig publisering nasjonalt og internasjonalt