Qualitative Health Research Methods (Taught)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Qualitative Health Research Methods is a part-time taught course developing skills in designing, conducting, and appraising qualitative and mixed methods research for health care contexts.

This course will suit novices to qualitative research, as well as those who have some experience but want to hone their skills. It is designed to suit busy professionals and full-time students alike.

The flexible structure of the course has been devised to fit with the structure of specialist training and to accommodate student choice. Through face-to-face and online sessions, students will develop excellence in the design, conduct and critical appraisal of qualitative research.

This course aims to provide holistic training in qualitative methods, developing students’ ability to design, conduct and critically appraise qualitative research and their ability to engage with theory and wider debates.

By the end of this course, it is anticipated that you will be able to:

• independently develop, design and conduct primary qualitative research, confidently adopting a flexible approach as per the philosophical underpinnings of this mode of naturalistic inquiry;

• critically reflect on their role (and the role of the research team) in the research process, appreciating the consequences this has on the research they conduct, whilst endeavouring to mitigate its impact;

• critically engage with all aspects of qualitative research, including various methodological approaches and quality appraisal; and

• critically engage with theory and wider debate in qualitative research (including on elements associated with rigour, such as critical appraisal).

This is a joint course between the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and Oxford Lifelong Learning. The programme works in collaboration with the renowned Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine in Oxford.

For the full description, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas