Course – Introduction to qualitative research. Theoretical framework and data collection

Traditionally, in the field of health and healthcare, especially in medicine, quantitative research has been the most widely used method for generating knowledge. In this sense, epidemiology based on statistical techniques has played a fundamental role, focusing on identifying events, describing frequencies, relating them, assigning probabilities of occurrence, establishing causal relationships, and so on. However, in recent decades, qualitative research has acquired an increasingly important role, demonstrating its usefulness in addressing health problems where the socio-cultural component is crucial. In this respect, qualitative methodologies are an intrinsic part of the social sciences.

Despite the importance of social factors as determinants of health and healthcare, training in qualitative research is often relegated to a secondary role in undergraduate and postgraduate health sciences programs, with quantitative and epidemiological research training predominating. However, the Aragon Health Plan 2030 (http://plansaludaragon.es), specifically in Area 4: Information, Research, and Training for Health, and more precisely in Objective 2.2, Action 3, addresses the need to identify the healthcare system's needs and the experiences and expectations of citizens and professionals regarding health. To define and develop lines of research that can further this objective, training professionals in qualitative research is a real necessity.

(*) This course is aimed at professionals who wish to begin research work. Since it involves the mandatory reading of an article in English, a sufficient level of English reading comprehension is recommended.