In this course, students will engage in the theory and practice of qualitative research. Students will be introduced to the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research, traditional approaches to and methods used for qualitative inquiry. This course will place specific emphasis on applied, pragmatic approaches to qualitative research. Coursework will draw upon strategies embedded within traditional approaches to qualitative inquiry and apply them alongside a design logic that has disciplinary relevance and is action-oriented for "practitioners" in a field (e.g., nursing, education, policy studies). Throughout the course a range of qualitative research approaches will be discussed with examples that draw from health, health services, and health policy research. Students will work through hands-on exercises to develop proficiencies using methodological tools that are used to conduct qualitative research.

Objectives: by the end of term, students will be able to: 1) Describe the principles of qualitative research and key qualitative research traditions. 2) Be familiar with applied, pragmatic approaches to qualitative research. 3) Describe and apply core techniques for qualitative data collection, analysis, ensuring rigour and critical appraisal. 4) Design a qualitative research project.