Outline

Overview

This unit of study introduces you to foundational concepts and skills in qualitative research in global health. It is designed for beginners and people who want an advanced-level introduction. The unit emphasises community-based participatory methods and co-design principles and how these are applied in practice in a range of settings, for example how do we understand a problem locally from a range of perspectives and collaborate with stakeholders to design solutions. Over the course of the unit, we address: What is qualitative research and how can it contribute to addressing health inequities? How is qualitative research different from quantitative research, and how can they complement one another? What research problems can it address? How do I design a qualitative study? What are the different (and best) ways to generate data to ensure that the voices of affected communities get heard? How do you start to analyse qualitative data? What are the ethical issues? How can we ensure qualitative research aligns with community objectives? What is good quality qualitative research? How can I use qualitative evidence in policy or practice to maximise impact and centre community knowledge? You will gain practical experience and skills through carrying out an observation, participating in or facilitating a focus group, conducting an interview, analysing data, arguing for qualitative research in health, and appraising the quality of published literature. You will learn how to use qualitative methods in implementation science, including how to conduct health programme process evaluation, to support the delivery of interventions which are responsive to and elevate local health systems and contexts. You will be introduced to the principles and contributions of peer research. You will hear from working qualitative researchers about how they use qualitative methods in their work. This unit will give you the skills and confidence to begin conducting and using qualitative research.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Public Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	PUBH5500 or QUAL5005 or QUAL5006 or PUBH5505 or FMHU5003
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Joni Lariat, joni.lariat@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Sarah Bernays, sarah.bernays@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Joni Lariat, joni.lariat@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Assessment #1: Weekly Reflective Summaries Weekly reflections on the readings, lecture content, tutorial and LiveTalk discussions.	40%	Multiple weeks Due date: 28 May 2025 at 23:59	12 x 300 word summaries (total: 3600)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment #2: Interviewing Conduct and transcribe interview, reflect on performance	25%	Week 08 Due date: 17 Apr 2025 at 23:59	Transcription of 20 minute interview
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment #3: Evaluating quality Essay evaluating the quality of a published qualitative research paper	35%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2025 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Indicates work of an exceptional standard
Distinction	75 - 84	Indicates work of a very high standard
Credit	65 - 74	Indicates work of a good standard
Pass	50 - 64	Indicates work of an acceptable standard
Fail	0 - 49	Indicates work that hasn’t met the learning outcomes of the unit to an acceptable standard

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

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
Weekly	The unit's core content is delivered weekly via Canvas. Every week, students individually complete the week's assigned readings, watch pre-recorded lectures and videos, and preparatory tasks. This ensures students are prepared to fully engage in the tutorials and LiveTalks. [NB: The amount of time required to complete the week's content varies by student, but is typically 3-4 hours per week.]	Individual study (4 hr)
	After students have individually completed the week's core content on Canvas, we come together for a compulsory tutorial (Online tutorials are held on Zoom). The tutorials are designed for in-depth engagement with the weekly topic and readings, and for qualitative research skills development through a range of practical hands-on activities.	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Each week's contact concludes with a 1-hour LiveTalk. The LiveTalks, held every Wednesday, are an opportunity to have an interactive conversation with an invited guest who will share their insights and experiences of qualitative research as they relate to the week’s topic. On-campus students attend face-to-face LiveTalks (with some weeks held virtually via Zoom instead) and online students attend virtual LiveTalks via Zoom or asynchronously.	Seminar (1 hr)

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.

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. describe the characteristics and value of qualitative research and 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 your data collection skills
LO4. understand qualitative data analysis principles and analyse qualitative data at an introductory level
LO5. understand the principles shaping qualitative research practice and justify research practice decisions in relation to these principles
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.

We have adjusted assessment weighting to give more emphasis to a new participation activity designed to improve student engagement with weekly content, and to develop reflective and critical thinking skills. We have removed the quizzes and short answer participation activity in response to student feedback and low engagement.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

GLOH5201: Global Qualitative Health Research

Semester 1, 2025 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links