Research Enhancement

Courses:

• How to write a research proposal

• An Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

• Foundations of Qualitative Research

• Introduction to Qualitative Interviewing

• Research project management: (Stan Oliver)

• How to write highly cited papers

• Knowledge on critical thinking

• Research design and methodologies

• Literature review and library methodologies

How to write a research proposal

Description:

1. Introduction. It is also sometimes termed as ‘need for study’ or ‘abstract’.

2. Review of literature. It refers to all sources of scientific evidence pertaining to the topic in interest.

3. Aims and objectives.

4. Research design and method.

5. Ethical considerations.

6. Budget.

7. Appendices.

8. Citations.

An Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

Description:

This short course aims to provide students with an understanding of the purpose and appropriate use of qualitative research methods. The course is intended to be both practical and accessible and aims to equip students with the skills to undertake their own qualitative research. Course tutors will provide examples from their own work to illustrate the application of qualitative research in the mental health field. Different theoretical approaches to data collection and analysis will be explored, including the Grounded Theory approach and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Methods to be described will include individual interviews, focus group discussions, observation and content and thematic analysis.

Foundations of Qualitative Research

Description:

This live online course provides participants with an introduction to the key principles and benefits of qualitative research..  It runs in one day and uses Zoom software.

Introduction/Overview

This one-day foundation course provides participants with an introduction to the key principles and benefits of qualitative research. This includes the main methods and techniques employed in qualitative studies such as interviews, focus groups and observations. It outlines how to design an effective qualitative research question, how to design research instruments, how to sample and recruit participants, data analysis, and related ethical considerations. It also considers how to assess a qualitative research project’s quality and rigour.

Qualitative research seeks to understand people’s lived experiences and to answer questions about meaning and perspective, including from the standpoint of the participants themselves. It is particularly effective in obtaining culturally specific information about the values, views, behaviours, and contexts of particular groups. This foundational course provides an introduction to qualitative research tools and techniques which help us to answer these questions. It will equip participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to begin their own qualitative investigations.

The course is delivered online via Zoom. It includes a combination of presentations, discussions and practical activities. It is designed to equip participants to confidently implement their own qualitative design in research projects in a range of contexts.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the principles and functions of qualitative research

• Understand how qualitative research differs from quantitative research

• Understand the type of questions which qualitative research addresses

• Have knowledge of methods and techniques of qualitative research

• Understand how to sample and recruit in qualitative projects

• Have awareness of how we assess and evaluate qualitative research for quality and rigour

• Have awareness of the importance of reflexivity and ethics in qualitative design

• Understand the pros and cons of qualitative research

Topics

• Principles and theories of qualitative research design

• Functions of qualitative research

• The types of questions which qualitative research addresses

• Qualitative research methods and techniques (i.e. interviews, focus groups, observation, and mixed methods)

• Qualitative sampling and recruitment

• Qualitative research instruments

• Ethical considerations and reflexivity in qualitative research

• Assessing the quality of qualitative research​

Who will benefit?

This introductory course will be of value to researchers who are new to qualitative research and qualitative methods, and who wish to delve into the principles of designing a qualitative study. It provides a basic overview of qualitative research, what this entails, and how to design a qualitative study.

Keywords:

• Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis

Introduction to Qualitative Interviewing

Description:

This introductory level course introduces participants to the method of qualitative interviewing. This includes its benefits, examples of effective interviewing, and the key ethical and practical issues to be considered. It runs in one day and uses Zoom software.

Introduction/Overview

Qualitative interviewing is a popular method in social research and it is often described as a conversation between interviewer and interviewee. It allows us to collect detailed and rich information about individuals’ lives, their experiences, behaviours, and how they understand and make sense of the world. The rich insight it provides into people’s lives is one of the benefits which the method offers over standardised surveys or questionnaires.

This introductory level course introduces participants to the method of qualitative interviewing. This includes its benefits, examples of effective interviewing, and the key ethical and practical issues to be considered. We look at types of qualitative interview which include structured, unstructured and semi-structured interviews. In particular, we explore the benefits of semi-structured interviewing which involves a combination of pre-set open ended questions with room for the exploration of other (sometimes unanticipated) topics. Participants gain experience of designing their own interview schedule and of conducting a semi-structured interview.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have knowledge of various forms of qualitative interview and theories of interviewing. They will be able to distinguish between various types of interviews and questioning. They will be aware of practical and ethical issues which must be considered prior to interviews. They will also be able to design their own semi-structured interview schedule and conduct a semi-structured interview.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the principles of qualitative interviewing

• Have knowledge of the structuring of interviews

• Be aware of the factors to be considered when designing a qualitative interview

• Be able to design a qualitative interview

• Be aware of the importance of building rapport with interviewees

• Have an awareness of the ethical and practical issues which must be considered.

Topics

• The benefits of qualitative interviews

• Types of qualitative interview including structured, unstructured and semi-structured interviews

• Designing and structuring a semi-structured interview schedule

• Conducting a semi-structured interview

• Questioning: open and closed

• Practical considerations (i.e. recording and transcription)

• The ethics of interviewing

• How to build relationships and rapport with interviewees. 

Who will benefit?

This introductory course will be of value to researchers who already have a basic understanding of qualitative research methods but who wish to delve into the method of qualitative interviewing in more depth.

Keywords:

• Qualitative Interviewing

Research project management:
Description:

• Introduction to research management.

• Project management tools and processes.

• Strategic project management.

How to write highly cited papers
Description:

‘Writing a Research Paper’ focuses on how to write an effective, clear and concise article that will appeal to a broad audience as well as attracting the attention of your peers.

What you will learn

• What editors look for in a great paper.

• How to write clearly, develop a great title and abstract, and structure your paper.

• How to manage and present your data.

Content

• What makes a great paper?

• Elements of writing style

• Titles and abstracts

• From introduction to conclusion

• Data management

• Data presentation

Knowledge on critical thinking

Description:

• Introduction to science.

• Philosophy.

• Key concepts to build critical thinking.

Research design and methodologies

Methodologies for research data collection and analysis (qualitative)

• Introduction to qualitative research method: thematic analysis

• Experimental Design & Power Analysis for in-vivo scientists

• Research Methods for Multilevel Data

• Software for success: Survey tools

• Introduction to qualitative research method: thematic analysis

• Introduction to qualitative analysis: Interviewing

Literature review and library methodologies

Building literature review and library handling skills.

• Essential search skills for Business and Management

• Searching for systematic reviews: introduction

• Critical appraisal of qualitative research

• Referencing and avoiding plagiarism – self-paced online tutorial

• Getting started with your systematic review

• Introduction to finding research literature

• Referencing: Questions and answers

• Search strategies for literature searching

• Evaluating information for essays, assignments and research

• Introduction to referencing

• Introduction to finding research literature

• Critical appraisal of a journal article

• Introduction to Library (Databases): demonstration

• Referencing: Questions and answers

• Getting started with your systematic review

• Search strategies for literature searching