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Unit outline_

FMHU5003: Introduction to Qualitative Research in Health

Semester 2, 2023 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study introduces you to qualitative research in health. It is designed for beginners and people who want an advanced level introduction. We will examine core concepts like methodology and reflexivity; consider approaches to research design (including sampling and developing research questions), data collection (including interviewing, focus group, observation, visual methods) and analysis; and discuss frameworks for thinking about research ethics and research quality. You will get practical experience in research design, data collection, data analysis and evaluating published qualitative literature. Throughout we will consider the value of qualitative approaches for constructing knowledge about health and hear from working qualitative researchers about how they use qualitative methods in their work.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
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None
Corequisites
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None
Prohibitions
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PUBH5505 or BACH5255 or QUAL5005
Assumed knowledge
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None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sophie Lewis, sophie.lewis@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Sophie Lewis, sophie.lewis@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Evaluating quality
Essay evaluating the quality of published qualitative research paper
40% Formal exam period
Due date: 13 Nov 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Interviewimg
Conduct and transcribe interview, identify skills, reflect on performance
40% Week 07
Due date: 11 Sep 2023 at 11:59
Transcribed interview & 3 short answers
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3
Online task Participation
Respond to question related to learning activities or lectures
10% Weekly 1 brief online activity per week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Quiz
Weekly quizzes
10% Weekly 2 questions per week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

See Canvas for details

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per the University policy, unless you have be granted an extension (in writing) by your Unit Coordinator before the assignment due date, you may lose 5% of the total possible mark for every day late. If you think you will not meet the deadline, it is ALWAYS worth asking the Unit Coordinator for an informal extension. If you need longer than a few days then please apply for a Special Consideration.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 What is qualitative research Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1
Week 02 Study design Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO2
Week 03 Interviews Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO3
Week 04 Observation / Focus groups Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO3
Week 05 Visual methods Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO3
Week 06 Research ethics Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO4
Week 07 Key ideas Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO4
Week 08 Methodology Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO4
Week 09 Introducing analysis Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO5
Week 10 Thematic analysis Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO5
Week 11 Quality Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO6
Week 12 Value Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1

Attendance and class requirements

Each enrolment mode has a different way to engage over the 12 weeks of semester:

ND-CC Campus students:

  • Enrol in approrpiate face to face tutorial group
  • Watch pre-recorded lectures
  • Complete required readings
  • Attend an in-person tutorial every week to undertake individual and group learning activities under the guidance of a tutor, discuss questions arising from lectures and readings, and prepare assessments
  • Complete a brief ASSESSED participation activity in the tutorial
  • Complete a brief ASSESSED quiz after completing lecture and readings

OL-CC online students:

  • Enrol in appropriate onine tutorial group
  • Watch pre-recorded lectures
  • Complete required readings
  • Attend a Zoom tutorial every week to undertake individual and group learning activities under the guidance of a tutor, discuss questions arising from lectures and readings, and prepare assessments.    
  • Complete a brief ASSESSED participation activity in the tutorial
  • Complete a brief ASSESSED quiz after completing lecture and readings.

OL-CC online students unable to commit to live/synchronous engagement:

  • Enrol in appropriate asyncronous tutorial group
  • Watch pre-recorded lectures
  • Complete required readings
  • Self-directed weekly learning activities and assessed participation activities and quizzes
  • Watch a recording of a live Zoom tutorial

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Required readings are detailed in Canvas

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand the value of qualitative research;argue for the value and usefulness of qualitative research
  • LO2. Understand and apply the principles underlying qualitative study design
  • LO3. Understand and apply qualitative data collection principles, and evaluate personal data collection skills
  • LO4. Understand the principles shaping qualitative research practice, and justify research practice decisions in relation to these principles
  • LO5. Understand qualitative data analysis principles, and analyse qualitative data at an introductory level
  • LO6. Evaluate the quality and contribution to knowledge of published qualitative literature

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Based on the feedback from last year we have made the following changes to the 2023 offering. 1) We have added additional content on qualitative evaluation. 2) More flexibility for students who choose the asynchronous mode of delivery to have the option to drop in to an online tutorial if they wish to. 3) For students who choose the online mode of delivery, we have included more clarity around expectations for engagement in online tutorials. We have also included more flexibility for these students to attend a different online tutorial if they are unable to attend their 'home' tutorial time.

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Additional costs

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Disclaimer

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