Introduction/Overview

If you get off on the wrong foot, it is hard to get a project back on track. This one-day intensive course aims to equip participants with a good understanding of the planning and preparation required when conducting a qualitative research project.

Through a combination of lectures and hands-on practical sessions, it covers:

•  the nature of qualitative research – what it can and cannot deliver
•  main methods and techniques
•  developing qualitative research questions
•  choosing an appropriate research strategy
•  drawing a qualitative sample
•  designing topic guides for use in interview or focus group based studies
•  judging the ‘quality’ of qualitative research.

Anyone considering taking a course in qualitative interviewing or focus group skills would be advised to take the design course as it provides an invaluable foundation.

Course tutor

Dr Karen Lumsden is Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Leicester and has a PhD in Sociology from the University of Aberdeen. She has experience teaching qualitative research methods at postgraduate level and to academics and practitioners. This includes courses at the Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Aberdeen, University of Glasgow, University of Essex and Kingston University, and for the Social Research Association. Karen has also designed and delivered social research methods training for police officers and staff via the East Midlands Policing Academic Collaboration (EMPAC). She was lead of their Victims, Witnesses & Public Protection Network. She has authored a number of academic books and journal articles in the areas of sociology and criminology, and on research methods.

  This course contributes 6 hours to the MRS CPD programme

Cancellation policy: Full refund if cancelled 21 days or more from the course date.  No refund if cancelled 20 days or fewer from the course date.