Qualitative Instrument Development and Data Collection

This session is designed to describe a variety of qualitative data collection methods such as interviews, focus groups, and participatory action research.  We will address the most effective ways to facilitate focus groups and conduct interviews by detailing logistical issues and communication techniques.  We will equip participants with skills to determine the best physical settings and locations for data collection.  The value of field notes and memoing will be deduced. This session will highlight physical and verbal interactions with participants, the value of eye contact, and understanding body language.  Communication techniques that recognize when and how to probe and self-disclosure will be explored. Participants will learn how to combine other methods such as quantitative and spatial analysis with qualitative data collection methods.  This session will conclude with how to exit the study area and how to translate findings to practice and policy change.

Learning Areas:

Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Communication and informatics
Ethics, professional and legal requirements
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe qualitative data collection and mixed method data collection. Illustrate effective physical and verbal communication techniques. Determine the ways to translate findings to practice and policy change.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have taken several courses in qualitative research methods in my master and doctoral programs. I have also conducted research using qualitative methods in a variety of settings and topics including HIV/AIDS, rural nutrition environments, and among youth. I have been involved in qualitative research projects at various phases - instrument development, data collection, data transcription, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 2016.0: Qualitative Methods for Public Health Professionals--Fee: $300