On-demand courses
Learn qualitative research methods and analysis properly, at your own pace, whenever you have the time.
Self-paced video courses covering the techniques and methods researchers most often need. Watch in your own time and come back to the difficult parts.
What is included with all courses
- Recorded video sessions, broken into manageable parts rather than one long block
- Downloadable slides, worksheets and reading lists
- Practical exercises with examples, so you can test your understanding
- 60 days access, including any updates I make to the course during this time
- A certificate of completion, if you need one for a training record
Coming Soon
Introduction to Qualitative Research
It provides guidance on the design of effective qualitative research questions and research instruments, sampling in qualitative research, data analysis techniques, and ethical considerations...
We also consider the importance of reflexivity and how to evaluate and ensure quality in your qualitative work.
This course walks you through how qualitative inquiry differs from quantitative logic, what makes for rigorous design, and how to start thinking like a qualitative researcher (rather than just cherry-picking popular methods or approaches). It helps you to reflect and consider the kind of qualitative researcher you would like to be.
We cover:
- The principles and functions of qualitative research;
- Research and question design: the types of questions which qualitative approaches address;
- Common methods and techniques of qualitative research: i.e. interviews, focus groups, and observations;
- Sampling in qualitative research;
- Mixed methods: what qualitative research can add;
- Key qualitative data analysis techniques;
- Ethics, rigour and reflexivity in qualitative research.
4 hours · £135 (including VAT)
Qualitative Interviewing
Interviews are a popular method in qualitative research. They allow 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 provided into people’s lives is one of the benefits which the method offers over, for example, standardised surveys or questionnaires.
For those new to qualitative research or who wish to revisit and refresh their knowledge: We cover the principles of qualitative research design; the various methodological paths you can take; and the methods we use for the types of questions which qualitative research frequently seeks to answer and explore...
This course introduces you to the qualitative interview method. This includes their benefits, effective interviewing, and the key ethical and practical issues to be considered. We consider different types of qualitative interview which include unstructured and semi-structured interviews, and their design and conduct both in person and online. You will receive advice on the design of a semi-structured interview schedule and questions, and how to build rapport and trust.
We cover:
- The principles and benefits of qualitative interviews;
- Types of qualitative interview including unstructured and semi-structured;
- Designing and structuring a semi-structured interview schedule (including question design);
- How to conduct a semi-structured interview online and in person;
- Power relations and how to build rapport with interviewees;
- Effective interview skills;
Practical considerations (i.e. recording and transcription); - The ethics of interviewing and reflexivity.
4 hours · £135 (including VAT)
Focus Group Design & Facilitation
Focus groups are one of the most widely used qualitative methods – and one which is often used in the wrong way. Getting them right means understanding what makes focus group data distinct: it isn’t a stack of individual interviews conducted at the same time. Instead, it is data built through group interaction. Without that interaction, you’re not really doing a focus group at all.
This course walks you through the full process of designing and facilitating focus groups that generate rich and useful data...
You’ll cover the core principles of focus groups as a method, the key design decisions that shape the quality of your data (including composition and levels of comparison), and the facilitation skills needed to moderate discussions confidently – both in person or online.
We cover:
- Designing data collection tools: focus group guides, questions, focusing activities, and stimulus material;
- Group composition, and how it shapes what you can (and can’t) compare across your data;
- Building rapport and trust between participants, and between participants and moderator(s);
- By the end, you’ll be equipped to independently design, run, and moderate focus group discussions — with a clear grasp of the group dynamics that make this method work;
- Tips and strategies on improving group interaction, dealing with tricky situations and supporting participants.
4 hours · £135 (including VAT)
Observational & Ethnographic Methods
Ethnography and observational methods are among the richest tools in the qualitative toolkit, letting you get beneath the surface of what people say and into how they actually live, work, and act. Rather than asking people to describe their world, these approaches let you understand the meanings, views, behaviours, beliefs, and actions of a particular culture, group, organisation, or community as they unfold.
Ethnography classically involves extended time 'in the field', but participant observation and observational techniques can be used far more flexibly, over shorter periods, and alongside a range of qualitative and creative tools for exploration and data collection...
This course gives you a grounded overview of ethnography from classic approaches through to contemporary variants — i.e. sensory, virtual, go-along, and focused/applied ethnography – and helps you apply this method to your own work while navigating the practical realities, constraints, and ethical considerations that come with it. Throughout, we highlight the inductive and reflexive principles that underpin solid ethnographic research.
We cover:
- The history of ethnography and decolonising the field;
- To participate, observe, or do both;
- Defining the field and multi-sited ethnography;
- Negotiating access, building rapport, and gatekeeper dynamics;
- Recording and taking field notes;
- Interviews in ethnographic research;
- Reflexivity and inductive ethnography;
- Contemporary approaches, i.e. virtual, visual, sensory ethnography, go-along methods, and applied/focused ethnography;
- We also draw on Dr Lumsden’s, and other ethnographers’ own reflections on fieldwork across a range of contexts, to show what these approaches offer and where their limits lie.
4 hours · £135 (including VAT)
Qualitative Surveys
Qualitative surveys are a useful exploratory method in qualitative research. Despite the rich insights they are able to generate, and the possibilities they offer researchers in a variety of online settings, they are often under-utilised or poorly designed and executed. However, if designed effectively, they can create empowering and engaging opportunities for diverse populations to be included in qualitative research.
They can also help us to overcome some of the practical barriers often encountered with other qualitative methods such as face-to-face interviews and focus groups, in terms of, for example, time constraints, power dynamics, and accessibility. They often also help us collect a large amount of qualitative data rapidly, efficiently, and (relatively) cost effectively....
This course covers the principles of online qualitative surveys. We focus on: their benefits and limitations, the type of qualitative data they generate, sampling and sample size, the design of online surveys (i.e. structure and questions), recruitment, ethical and practical issues, and the risks of online data collection (including how to mitigate issues such as imposter participants).
Crucially, we consider the importance of aligning our planning, design, facilitation, and analysis of qualitative surveys with qualitative methodologies and principles such as interpretivist approaches, instead of quantitative paradigms. We also consider examples of qualitative online surveys in fields such as public health, social sciences, and psychology.
We cover:
- The principles and benefits of qualitative surveys;
- The type of qualitative data they generate
- Survey design: structure and open-ended questions;
- Creating clear guidance and information for participants;
- Sampling and recruitment;
- The importance of piloting;
- Ethical considerations (i.e. anonymity, confidentiality and data privacy);
- Risks and issues with online qualitative surveys (i.e. imposter participants);
- Moving to analysis: preparing the dataset and coping with a large volume of data;
- Examples of online qualitative surveys from, i.e. public health, social sciences and psychology.
4 hours · £135 (including VAT)
Analysing Qualitative Data
This course provides you with the basic knowledge and skills required to analyse qualitative data. It provides an overview of the principles of qualitative analysis and how it differs from quantitative analysis techniques.
We discuss inductive and iterative approaches in qualitative work. We cover the main types of qualitative data analysis including, for example,: grounded theory, (reflexive) thematic analysis, framework analysis, interpretive phenomenological analysis, conversation analysis, discourse analysis, and narrative analysis....
While we won’t delve into any of these in great depth, we consider how they differ from one another and the type of research questions, methodologies, and data they are suitable for analysing. We then cover the foundational steps of many qualitative approaches such as: familiarising ourselves with our data, organising data, and coding. We then consider definitions and differences between codes, themes, categories, topics, summaries, and concepts, and explore the role these can play in analysis. Crucially, we consider what interpretation looks like in qualitative data analysis – a key aspect we must build in if we want to move beyond mere description of findings. Finally, we also consider the importance of reflexivity in analysis our analysis and tips for how to put this into practice.
We cover:
- Dealing with different forms of qualitative data;
- The challenges faced when writing up qualitative data;
- Explanation in qualitative research;
- How to clearly display qualitative evidence in various outputs;
- Structuring and organising a qualitative report or article;
- Conventions and language when presenting and writing up qualitative data – i.e. dealing with quotes and the ‘numbers question’.
4 hours · £135 (including VAT)
Narrative Analysis
Narrative analysis is a valuable data analysis technique in qualitative research. It is typically used in studies which have already employed narrative inquiry as a qualitative method.
Narrative knowledge is created and constructed through the stories of lived experience and sense-making, the meanings people afford to them, and therefore offers valuable insight into the complexity of human lives, cultures, and behaviours...
Narrative analysis uses the ‘story’ as the unit of analysis, in contrast to thematic and other forms of qualitative analysis. Narrative analysis is useful for practitioners and researchers who wish to focus on individual experiences, e.g. via collected stories and unstructured interviews.
We cover:
- What is narrative analysis?;
- Dealing with different types of narrative data;
- Narrative conventions and structure;
- The different models of narrative analysis;
- Narrative meaning and narrative smoothing;
- Interpretations of faith and suspicion;
- Composite narratives;
- Ethics and rigour in narrative analysis and write ups;
- The role of reflexivity.
Important note: this is an advanced course and is only suitable for qualitative researchers who are familiar with the principles of narrative inquiry and/or have collected narrative data that they wish to analyse using narrative analysis. It is specifically focused on the analysis of narrative data. If you are unsure if it is suitable for you please email karen@qualitativetraining.com to check.
4 hours · £135 (including VAT)
Autoethnography and Writing the Self
This course provides you with an introduction to autoethnography and writing the self. Autoethnography is a powerful methodological approach which combines autobiography and ethnography to explore personal experiences within broader social and cultural contexts.
This course serves as an introduction to the theory, practice, and application of autoethnography, inviting participants to engage deeply with their own lived experiences while critically examining the intersections of self and society...
Participants will develop the skills necessary to begin their own autoethnographic inquiries and produce meaningful narratives that contribute to personal growth and scholarly inquiry. Or, to supervise their students who are keen to take on autoethnography, with confidence.
We cover:
- Principles of autoethnography;
- Autoethnography: methodology and method
- Types of autoethnography: e.g. critical, evocative, analytical, performative;
- Examples of autoethnography and its application;
- Autoethnographic practice: from writing the self to crafting the self;
- Autoethnography and reflexivity;
- Ethics in autoethnography;
- Debates and critiques of autoethnography.
4 hours · £135 (including VAT)
Who these are for
Doctoral researchers working through analysis without much methods support. Postdocs and academics who trained in something else and now need qualitative methods. Practitioners in health, policy, charity and industry research who are doing this work without a research degree behind them. Supervisors who want to brush up on a method or approach before advising their student.
No prior training is necessary.
Taught by someone who does this work
Pricing
Common questions
How long do I have access?
60 days access from purchase date. During this time you will also receive access to any updates or additions I make.
Do I need to have collected data already?
No. Several of the courses are more useful before you collect, because they will advise you on the principles, design and practice of the i.e. methods.
Can my department buy several places?
Yes. Get in touch if several places are required and I will invoice directly rather than sending you through checkout, which can be easier for procurement.
Is there any live contact?
Not within the on-demand courses. If you want live teaching or feedback on your own work, the masterclasses and bootcamps are a better fit. You can, however, add on the option of a 1:1 session with me, when purchasing the course. This option will be shown to you.
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