Qualitative and Participatory Research Methods for Development

Course objective:
Qualitative research has much to offer to the practical work of development organizations. This course will provide an overview of the principles and practice of qualitative research and illustrate ways in which qualitative research can be incorporated into the programme cycle. Participants will learn to collect data using qualitative methods such as observation, interviews and focus group discussion, and will become familiar with the techniques of qualitative data analysis and the communication of results. The course aims to build the skills of development practitioners in using qualitative methods confidently, including the ability to communicate findings to different audiences.

Key topics:

• The qualitative research approach
• Qualitative research methods, including interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation
• Designing and planning qualitative studies
• Qualitative data analysis and interpretation
• Reporting of qualitative results
• Embedding qualitative research within a project cycle

ECTS points:
1