course-details-portlet

SMED8015

Qualitative Research Methods

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Doctoral degree level
Course start Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Approved report

About

About the course

Course content

The course focuses on giving a general introduction to the principles of qualitative research and a thorough practical experience with data collection and analysis with relevance for medicine and health science. Qualitative research methods are well suited in order to study personal experiences, understanding, reflections and reasoning. The course has a focus on the use of qualitative methods in a medical (natural science) research tradition where an empirical orientation is emphasised. It is therefore a strong focus on the practical aspects of conducting a qualitative study, with practical tasks in conducting interviews, doing analysis and writing method and result presentation. The lectures focus on practical tips and presentations of the steps in conducting a qualitative study. There are also lectures on what qualitative methods are, theoretical background, and different approaches used in qualitative studies.

Learning outcome

SMED8015 trains the student in planning and conducting qualitative research studies. After passing SMED8015, the student has acquired the following skills:

Knowledge

Discuss the adequacy and suitability of different approaches to doing qualitative studies.

Skills

Conduct and lead qualitative data collection and analysis

General proficiency

Understand the role of qualitative research in medicine and health science.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and assignments, with most of the work done in groups. The course report, which is used for the assessment of the course, is done in groups. A one-day compulsory exam seminar is held approximately 8 weeks after the first week of lectures. In the time between, the students work in groups.

Compulsory assignments

  • Two written assignments and transcribed interwiew
  • Comment on exam seminar

Further on evaluation

Details about mandatory activities:

  1. Submission of 2 assignments and transcribed interviews: The two assignments are to write a reflection note based on conducted interviews and one based on experiences with interview analysis. These are assessed as approved/not approved, and if not approved, there is an opportunity to resubmit. The submission of interviews involves delivering a transcript of one individual interview and one group interview.
  2. Commentator at the exam seminar: The student must participate as a commentator at an exam seminar. This involves providing constructive feedback on fellow students' work and actively participating in discussions.

To participate in the exam seminar, the student must have all mandatory activities approved.

Details about the exam:

The exam consists of submitting a written group assignment that receives a preliminary assessment before a final oral exam seminar is held. This seminar is used for the final assessment of the assignment as passed/not passed. If not passed, a revised written group assignment must be submitted, which will be assessed without an oral component.

Required previous knowledge

Completed Master's degree. Persons admitted to a PhD program at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences have priority.

Course materials

Kirsti Malterud (2017). Kvalitative metoder i medisinsk forskning (4.utgave). Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. 256 sider. ISBN: 9788215028286.

Kirsti Malterud (2012). Fokusgrupper som forskningsmetode for medisin og helsefag. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. 168 sider. ISBN: 9788215020464.

The set books has to be read before the start of the course due to the course being held during one week. In addition to the set books, there will be some articles provided at the start of the course.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
HLS3004 2.5 sp Autumn 2010
KLH3015 5 sp Autumn 2015
MH3004 5 sp Autumn 2019
PH3001 5 sp Autumn 2019
MH3008 5 sp Autumn 2022
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Health Science
  • Medicine

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Public Health and Nursing

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Approved report
Grade: Passed / Not Passed

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Approved report
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code B Exam system Inspera Assessment