FMHU5003: Semester 2, 2025

Units FMHU5003 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

FMHU5003: Introduction to Qualitative Research in Health

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

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 ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	PUBH5505 or BACH5255 or QUAL5005
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sophie Lewis, sophie.lewis@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Evaluating quality Essay evaluating the quality of published qualitative research paper	40%	Formal exam period Due date: 17 Nov 2025 at 23:59	2000 words.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Quiz Weekly quizzes	10%	Multiple weeks	2 questions per week	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Interviewing Conduct and transcribe interview, identify skills, reflect on performance.	40%	Week 07 Due date: 21 Sep 2025 at 23:59	Transcribed interview & 3 short answers	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Participation Respond to question related to learning activities or lectures	10%	Weekly	1 brief online activity per week	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

See Canvas for detailed information about assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 been granted an extension before the assignment due date, you may lose 5% of the total possible mark for every day late. If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to arrange an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension. If you need longer than a few days then please apply for a Special Consideration.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Ongoing	Watching lecture recordings, doing set readings, completing pre-tutorial activities	Independent study (24 hr)
Week 01	What is qualitative research	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	What is qualitative research	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 03	Study design	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 04	Interviews	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 05	Observations	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 06	Focus groups	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 07	Visual methods	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 08	Research ethics	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 09	Key ideas	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 10	Methodology	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 11	Introducing analysis	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 12	Thematic analysis	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 13	Quality	Tutorial (1.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

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

ND-CC Campus students:

Enrol in appropriate 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 online 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.

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

Recommended and required readings are detailed on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Based on the feedback from 2024 we have made the following changes to the 2025 offering. 1. Added a Week 1 lecture (delivered on campus and via Zoom). 2. Tutorials will commence in Week 2 to allow students sufficient time to review pre-recorded lectures, readings and learning activities before the related tutorial. 3. There are now 13 weeks of content. Students will now receive content on both Observations and Focus Groups, rather than choosing between these two methods of data collection.

Additional information

N/A

Additional costs

N/A

Site visit guidelines

N/A

Work, health and safety

N/A

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

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