Qualitative Methods in Health Systems Research (QHSR)

This course focuses on qualitative health systems research. Participants gain experience in each step of the qualitative research process and learn ways to enhance the utilisation of research results.

This course is tropEd accredited and can be followed as a stand-alone course or as part of the the Master of Public Health and Health Equity programme.

Start
06/01/2025
Duration
3 weeks
Location
KIT Amsterdam
EC
4
Language
English
Course period
from 06/01/2025 until 24/01/2025
Course fee (2025)
EUR 2.640
Discounts for alumni and more
Learn more about our discounts
KIT application deadline other funding (2025)
01/12/2024
MENA scholarship for selected countries
Application period: 8 February - 26 March 2024. Read more below
KIT academic application deadline for applicants of MENA scholarship
15 March 2024
Contact
courses@kit.nl

“I was a bit nervous when I started the health system research course. Research was definitely not a subject in my comfort zone. However, starting the course was like stepping into a train. Not only learning how you are supposed to do research, but doing! While there was enough opportunity for trial and error, co-students and tutors made sure you remained on the right track. Handing in my own research proposal at the end of the trail, made me look back for the first time, and realize what a huge distance we had been crossing in the past weeks. I feel far more secure on the subject now, and full of ideas to start my own research!”

MAARTJE HOETJES FROM THE NETHERLANDS FOLLOWED THE HSR COURSE AS PART OF THE MASTER IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH. BACKGROUND: NURSING. SHE WORKS AS MEDICAL SPECIALIST FOR MSF (READ MORE ABOUT HER EXPERIENCES)

“Before this MPH/ICHD course I have never written a study proposal. This module helped me to search for the real problem and solutions instead of hours of discussions with my colleagues where everyone was given his own beliefs, vision, solution, reality and so on. At this moment I am a policy advisor I have proposed more than once to do a ‘proper’ study in the way I have learned at KIT.”

FRIED LAMMERINK

“In our time, organizations and technology are evolving so rapidly that health care professionals must continually seek new skills and perspectives that enable them not only to respond to change, but also to anticipate it. And this is exactly what we were trained in KIT. Besides these academic competencies that are making a lot of difference in what I do now, staying and studying in Amsterdam also had positive effects in many ways; the principles of “equal opportunity for all people, irrespective of gender, age, race or religion” were visible in all aspects of the Dutch life.”

JOHN KINGSLEY KRUGU FROM GHANA, MPH/ICHD 2010, BACKGROUND IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, NOW PHD RESEARCH FELLOW AT MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY.

“At KIT I was particularly impressed about the course content, the teaching staff composed of world class public health experts and leading academics and researchers, as well as the support staff whose teaching, guidance and administrative support combined to improve my academic orientation and shape my thoughts about public health and its practice.”

FRANCIS-XAVIER ANDOH-ADJEI FROM GHANA, MPH/ICHD 2010, NOW WORKING AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR PLANNING, MONITORING & EVALUATION AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AT THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE AUTHORITY IN GHANA. HE IS ENROLLED AT RADBOUD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTRE-NIJMEGEN AS PHD RESEARCHER IN HEALTH SYSTEMS AND POLICY.

Content

In health systems policy makers, managers and service providers need to be able to select appropriate research methods to better understand and address the problems they face. This course discusses which methods to use to answer different health system research questions. The course specifically focuses on qualitative research methods.

You will gain experience in each step of the research process through the development of your own research proposal, through practical exercises, and by appraising a research proposal.
Attention is also paid to enhance the use of research results by policy makers, managers, health care providers, civil society and clients.

Objectives

At the end of the module/session the participants should be able to:

  • Explain the most important differences in concepts, paradigms and application of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in health systems research
  • Clearly formulate research objectives based on a problem statement
  • Select an appropriate mix of qualitative research methods and develop corresponding tools to investigate public health issues
  • Conduct well-structured focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with a variety of respondents
  • Formulate a feasible, consistent and logical small scale qualitative research proposal related to a public health problem in a specific low-income country
  • Propose an outline of a research report and strategies to disseminate research results to different target groups for use in practice
  • Critically assess whether a proposed research design is suitable to answer a research question
  • Application

    Admission criteria

  • Academic training or a professional qualification in a relevant field
  • Work experience in a health related area, including experience in research, management or planning in developing countries
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English
  • Application procedure

    The application package is due two months before the start of the course.

    Please upload your application online. The following documents should be uploaded:

  • A one-page letter of motivation
  • Copies of your diplomas and grade reports
  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae and a list of publications if applicable
  • What we expect from your motivation letter:
    Please indicate in your motivation letter why you want to follow this specific course, why you want to follow the course at KIT Amsterdam, what do you expect to learn and how you will apply your newly gained competencies from the course in your work, what kind of benefits will it bring to your future career, etc. Describe a relevant problem you have experienced in the last two years that you would like to discuss during this specific course. Your motivation should be about ½-1 page. Please do not repeat your CV again.

    This course can be taken on its own or as advanced module of the Master of Public Health or Master in International Health (MIH) programme.

    FAQ Online Application System

    Do you have a question about our Online Application System? Then you can find the answer in our FAQ Online Application System:

    Go to our FAQ Online Application System-page 

    Discounts and Fees

    We offer discounts for alumni and groups for this course. See below the discounts and fees the course Qualitative Methods in Health Systems Research. See for more information about our discounts for groups and other short courses on our exclusive discount page.

    Regular course fee€2.640,-Start date: 6-1-2025
    Alumni discountto be confirmed
    tropEd feeto be confirmed

    Practical information

    Location

    Classes are held at KIT’s training facilities in Amsterdam.

    Accommodation

    There is a severe shortage of student accommodation in Amsterdam and participants are advised to contact KIT for information. KIT will endeavour to assist participants in their search for housing.

    Visa requirements

    Citizens of most EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries do not need a visa to enter the Netherlands. Visit the Nuffic website for the latest information on visa requirements.

    Participants from other countries must obtain a short-stay visa (for up to three months) through the Netherlands embassy or consulate covering the applicant’s country. Applicants will need a letter of admission to the course and proof of sponsorship or sufficient funds to cover the course fee, travel and accommodation costs. Applicants should take into account that in some countries this procedure can take several months.

    Insurance requirements

    Course participants and accompanying dependents are required by Dutch law to have health, accident and third party insurance. Unless their current insurance policy covers their stay abroad, participants must insure themselves and their dependents in the Netherlands. Dutch insurance companies offer reasonable rates to foreign students. KIT can assist with arranging insurance.

    Funding

    The arrangement of financial support to cover all study costs is the responsibility of the applicant. KIT does not offer financial support or scholarships.

    Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP)

    Unfortunately the OKP programme has ended. For 2024 there are no scholarship rounds. 
    Read more on the OKP page.

    MENA MSP Scholarship

    We are happy to inform you that for the course in summer 2024 there are MSP MENA Scholarships available for participants from the following countries: Algeria • Egypt • Iran • Iraq • Jordan • Lebanon • Libya • Morocco • Syria • Oman • Tunisia • Mauritania
    (Syria: Syrians can apply for a scholarship if they are living and working in one of the other countries listed above)
    Application period for the scholarship: 8 February-26 March 2024.
    If you are eligible please apply as soon as possible for academic admission but at the latest by 15 March 2024 to be ready when the application period opens.
    Read more on our MENA scholarship page

    European Credit

    The European Credit Transfer System (EC) facilitates the transfer of course credits between different institutions of the same academic level. A course comprising 28 hours of formal teaching and private study is equivalent to one EC credit point.

    Accreditation

    This course is also accredited for the Master in International Health programme organised by tropEd, a network of European institutions for higher education in international health.

    Why study at KIT?

    • Up-to-date approach to complex public health issues

    • Practice-oriented

    • Exchange between disciplines

    • Interactive Education

    • Development of personal and professional competencies

    • Network building

    • Participants from diverse backgrounds and countries

    • Personal tutoring

    • Teaching by highly qualified specialists

    • Positively reviewed by tropEd

    • KIT: international centre of excellence in international health and development

    • Accredited by NVAO

    Coordinators & Support

    Photo of Elaine Rabello

    Elaine Rabello

    Master’s Programme Coordinator

    Read more
    Photo of Meta Willems

    Meta Willems

    Course Administration Officer

    Read more