Qualitative Health Research – The Essentials
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will:
- understand fundamental principles of qualitative research, including epistemological and methodological assumptions and selected traditions in qualitative research
- be able to identify, distinguish and apply BIG Q vs. small q principles
- know different approaches to qualitative data collection and analysis
- know where to find and how to identify and use relevant resources on qualitative health research
- be able to critically assess the quality of qualitative research
Topics/Content
Contents covered:
- How to think differently (big Q vs. small q approaches)
- Data generation (interviews, group discussions, observations)
- Data analysis (reflexive thematic analysis, grounded theory, codebook analysis)
- Markers of qualitative health research (rigor, quality, reflexivity, positionality, ethics, theory)
Activities / Program
The course follows a flipped-classroom design. During February and March, participants study materials provided (videos, podcasts, book chapters, and articles) to acquire basic knowledge in qualitative health research. During the morning sessions of the 4 days-block seminars, each participant will (co-lead) a session, with the support of a lecturer who is experienced in qualitative research, to critically reflect upon knowledge gained. Afternoon sessions will be for practical training of skills in conducting qualitative research
The morning sessions are to gain knowledge about and reflect upon essential elements of qualitative health research, will be student-led and supported by experienced lecturers
The afternoon sessions are to train skills and competences as qualitative researchers. Working with own materials is highly welcome but materials can also be provided. Sessions will be guided by a team of lecturers experienced in qualitative health research
Basic information
| Number | E046.214.26 |
|---|---|
| Dates | Preparatory work: starting mid-January 2026 Registration is open |
| Times | 09:00-17:00 |
| Course location | Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine ISPM room 216, second floor Situation plan |
| Lead | Professor Annika Frahsa, Professor Sofia Zambrano (shared coordination) |
| Seats max. | 20 people |
| Course language | English |
| Registration deadline | 13.01.2026 |
| Format | Individual event from Public Health Sciences Course Program You will receive a certificate of attendance. |
| Governing Unit |
Faculty of Medicine University of Bern Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) |
| ECTS info |
2 ECTS: January and February:
March 9-12:
3 ECTS: requirements as for 2 ECTS + until March 19:
For an accreditation of the ECTS, full attendance and active participation incl. completion of assignments and assessments are required.
root number KSL: 484099 |
Target audience
All PhD students, priority is given to Phd Students from Uni Bern
Application and admission procedure
A tertiary education degree is required. The program manager decides on the final admission. Priority is given to PhD students.
Application process: You are requested to enroll online. Seats will be allocated according to date of enrolment. Three weeks before the course/workshop at the latest, the administration will decide and inform about running or cancelling the course/workshop.
Costs
Amount still open
Administrative / Payment modalities
Registration fees are waived for PhD students of the University of Bern who commit to the whole course attendance. To avoid being invoiced, it is mandatory that you indicate your institute and the matriculation number upon registration for the course. Please note cancellation regulations below.
Course fees for other participant categories:
PostDocs Uni Bern CHF 200/300
Other participants Uni Bern CHF 600/900
Participants other academic institutions 1200/1800
Other participants CHF 1680/2520
Participants completing the entire PHS Course Program benefit from a reduction; overview course fees here.
Cancellation regulations
After the closing date for registrations, the organisers will decide whether the course can take place. The decision is based on the number of registrations.
After the closing date for registrations, the organisers will decide whether the course can take place. The decision is based on the number of registrations.
These cancellation rules apply to PhD students of the University of Bern.
Processing fee of CHF 100 will be applied for:
- Cancellations after 2 weeks before the first course day (late cancellations)
- Participants with course attendance of less than 80% of the on-site course time
- Absence on the first day of the course (considered as a late cancellation)
Course attendance cancellations and short absences must be reported at the latest 2 weeks before the first course day.
Write an email to phs-admin.ispm@unibe.ch. The cancellation or approval of short absences has to be confirmed by the course coordination.
For your registration the General Terms and Conditions of the PHS Course Program apply.
Contact
University of Bern
Public Health Sciences Course Program
c/o Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Mittelstrasse 43
3012 Bern
Switzerland
Tel: +41 31 684 34 04