A qualitative research design is often used when the research focus is on exploration, description, and understanding of a social phenomenon from the perspectives of those being studied. In using qualitative research, we are able to answer the question `Why do certain phenomena happen?’ instead of the question ''Does or doesn’t it happen?'. Qualitative research originated in cultural anthropology is now used in very different areas, such as health care, psychology, criminology, sociology, political sciences, nursing, and educational sciences.

This course is an introduction to qualitative research with a ‘how-to’, practical focus. The structure of the course reflects the research process starting with the generation of a research question, the design, data collection, data-analysis and the writing of a report. In this course you will have the opportunity to dive into the experiences and perspectives of people in a scientific fashion.