Program Overview

Practising Qualitative Research in Child and Adolescent Health (CHLD0101)

Key Information

• Faculty: Faculty of Population Health Sciences
• Teaching department: UCL GOS Institute of Child Health
• Credit value: 15
• Restrictions: N/A

Alternative Credit Options

There are no alternative credit options available for this module.

Description

Summary

This module is designed for postgraduate students with little or no prior experience in conducting qualitative research who want to learn how to review and conduct qualitative research studies focused on children's and young peoples' health (CYP). The aim of the module is to provide participants with an understanding of the fundamentals of qualitative research and practical skills needed to conduct their own qualitative research projects focusing on CYP and to evaluate others. The module will be a mix of lectures and practical sessions and will be run face-to-face. It will also appeal to a wider audience by being offered as a short course. The module will include the following topics:

• What is qualitative research?
  • Introduction to qualitative research
  • Patient and public involvement and engagement
  • Co-design
  • Child-centred methods in qualitative research
• Methods of data collection:
  • Introduction to interviewing
  • Introduction to focus groups
  • Introduction to observation of clinical encounters
  • Introduction to mixed-methods research
  • Introduction to non-traditional methods of data collection
• Data analysis
  • Fundamentals of qualitative data analysis
  • An introduction to common approaches to data analysis including thematic analysis, framework analysis, grounded theory, IPA and narrative analysis
• The practicalities of qualitative research
  • How to write-up qualitative research
  • How to critically appraise a piece of qualitative research
  • Getting a study up and running

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Have an understanding of the fundamental aspects of qualitative research;
• Appreciate the different approaches to conducting qualitative research with CYP;
• Have insights into different methods of data collection and analysis;
• Understand how to set up and get a qualitative study through NHS ethics and R&D.

Who is this module for?

This is an optional module for all MSc Paediatrics and Child Health pathways and is an optional module for MSc Child and Adolescent Mental Health and MRes programmes. Any Level 7 students interested in taking this as an optional module, please contact the Module leader.

Teaching and Learning Methods

You will receive 5 days of in-person lectures, supplemented through self-directed study.

Assessment

A 2500-word qualitative research proposal including: background and rationale for the study; study aims and objectives; requirements for ethical approval; study design including sampling and recruitment (including participant information sheets); data analysis including justification for method chosen and an explanation of how data analysis will occur; study instruments e.g. topic guides; risks and mitigations; data handling and storage, and dissemination strategy

Reading List

Some useful accompanying texts to the course. Any one of these books would be worth dipping into:

• Cresswell J.W (2013): Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches
• Denzin, N.K. and Lincoln, Y.S. (Eds.). Handbook of qualitative research. London: Sage.
• Humble, Á. M., & Radina, M. E. (Eds.). (2019). How qualitative data analysis happens: Moving beyond "themes emerged.": Routledge
• Mason, J. (1996). Qualitative researching. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Pope, C & Mays, N. (2006). Qualitative Research in Health Care, Wiley
• Ritchie, J. and Lewis, J. (eds) (2003) Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers, Sage
• Rossman, G.B. and Rallis, S.F. (2012). Learning in the field: An introduction to qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Silverman, D. (2019) Interpreting Qualitative Data. Sage Publications Ltd
• Smith, J.A., Harre, R., Langenhove, L.V. (eds). (1995) Rethinking Methods in Psychology
• Tracey, S.J. (2021) Qualitative Research Methods: Collecting evidence, crafting analysis communicating impact

Module Deliveries for 2026/27 Academic Year

Intended Teaching Term

• Term 1
• Postgraduate (FHEQ Level 7)

Teaching and Assessment

• Mode of study: In person
• Methods of assessment: 100% Coursework
• Mark scheme: Numeric Marks

Other Information

• Number of students on module in previous year: 12
• Module leader: Dr Claire Powell

Last Updated

This module description was last updated on 10th March 2026.