Program Overview

Qualitative Methods in Public Health

Course Information

• Dates: 13 January – 14 April 2026, every Tuesday
• Time: 6pm – 9pm (SGT)
• Venue: MD1 Tahir Foundation Building, National University of Singapore

Overview

This course will familiarize students with various data collection and analytic methods in qualitative research, allowing them to apply appropriate methods with relevant ethical considerations. Students will be guided through each step of the qualitative research process starting with the underlying principles of qualitative approaches and moving on to study design, sampling, data collection, and analysis. Students will have hands-on practical experience applying the various data collection methods; as well as learning practical techniques on how to conduct and write the analysis.

Course Objectives

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Describe and apply qualitative methods in public health research, including interviews, focus groups, and observation techniques.
2. Understand the debate between qualitative methods and other public health research approaches, and discuss social science traditions in healthcare.
3. Design research questions and identify appropriate sampling frames.
4. Discuss the role of theory in health research and the ethical considerations, responsibilities, and values involved.
5. Collect and manage qualitative data, and prepare it for thematic analysis.
6. Critically review qualitative methods, addressing reflexivity, validity, reliability, and approaches to generalisation.
7. Perform thematic analysis using deductive and inductive approaches, and write up and present findings clearly and creatively following the COREQ statement.

Who Should Attend?

• Healthcare providers
• Analysts/researchers
• Programme evaluators from private and public agencies who work in the health and social sectors.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Relevant public health-related work experience
• Candidates with other qualifications and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval

Assessment & Certification

This is a SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) approved course. As part of SSG funding requirements, participants have to achieve at least 75% attendance and pass all assessment(s)/examination(s). An electronic certificate will be issued to all participants who complete the course:

• Certificate of Competence – Attain a ‘C’ grade or above and meet a minimum of 75% attendance.
• Certificate of Participation – Attain a grade lower than ‘C’ and meet a minimum of 75% attendance.

Course Instructor

• Assistant Professor Tan Kay Jin Rayner Dr. Rayner Kay Jin TAN is a sociobehavioral researcher by training. His research interests revolve broadly about the social determinants of health, community engagement, implementation science, and health equity of vulnerable communities.

Course Fee

• All enrolled candidates will also be required to pay a Student Services Fee of S$25.70.
• Self-Sponsored participants can use their SkillsFuture Credits to pay for or offset course fees. SkillsFuture Credit claim has to be submitted to SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) within 60 days before course commencement. SSG will not allow claims to be made after the first day of the course.
• The University reserves the right to review and adjust the course fees and make changes to the programme structure and requirements as necessary and accordingly without prior notice.
• Prices stated above are inclusive of 9% GST.