Content Overview

Research in international health is becoming increasingly complex, requiring scientists to move away from the traditional quantitative vs. qualitative methodological dichotomy.
This traditional dichotomy has proved no longer to be the most effective in providing answers to the public health problems emerging both in high income and low and middle income countries.
Mixed methods research represents an opportunity to build on the specific strengths of quantitative and qualitative research methods to foster synergies between the two which may allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the problems at stake.

Course Topics

• Analytical appraisal of quantitative and qualitative methods as applied in different areas of research in international health
• Theory and practice of mixing quantitative & qualitative research methods: answering questions why? What? When? How?
• Controversial aspect of using mixed methods in international health research
• Personal skills development in the application of mixed methods research both in high and low and middle income countries
• Case studies of mixed methods research in the fields of malaria control, HIV/AIDS, health financing, women’s health, and clinical management
• Planning, designing, and writing an individual mixed methods research protocol suitable for grant application
• Overview of epistemology of research with an emphasis on the critical assessment of theories on how knowledge is generated and retained

Learning Objectives

Focusing on the joint application of quantitative and qualitative tools and methods, this course aims to train participants to conduct mixed methods research. This course will enable participants to:

• appreciate the epistemology of research and its direct influence on the methodological choices in the everyday practice of research in international health;
• identify the most common quantitative and qualitative methodological tools used in research in international health;
• critically analyse the role and the specific contribution of quantitative and qualitative methods to research in international health;
• assess which research questions and in which situations require the application of mixed methods research;
• apply the knowledge and skills acquired in class to develop and carry out an individual research protocol using a mixed methods approach.