Qualitative Methods for Global Health Research
This interactive training introduces graduate students to the fundamentals of qualitative research methods and their application within the context of global health. The session will cover the importance of qualitative approaches to these methods, including the role of researcher reflexivity.
Participants will learn how qualitative approaches—such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, and observations can be used to explore lived experiences, cultural beliefs, and health system barriers that shape health outcomes across diverse populations. The training will also cover foundational aspects of study design, including developing qualitative research questions and applying purposive sampling strategies. Emphasis will be placed on the role of researcher reflexivity, particularly when working in cross-cultural and resource-constrained settings.
With a particular focus on interviews, students will practice core data collection skills, including open-ended questioning and rapport-building. An overview of data analysis will introduce coding and thematic analysis as iterative processes for identifying patterns in qualitative data. The session will also incorporate real-world case studies, enabling participants to critically engage with how qualitative evidence has shaped health policies and interventions, and to reflect on the practical challenges of conducting research in complex, dynamic settings, including ethical considerations in qualitative research.
About the Speaker:
Professor Dr Melissa Withers is an Associate Professor of Clinical Preventive Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) and Director of the Online MPH Program. She also leads the Global Health Program of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), a network of over 60 leading research universities across the Asia-Pacific region. Her research focuses on global reproductive health, HIV/AIDS prevention, gender-based violence, and community-based participatory research, with extensive field experience across Asia and Latin America. She has authored over 70 scientific publications, edited two books in global health, and serves on multiple international journal editorial boards, bringing together strong academic leadership with real-world global health practice.
Dr Mellissa Withers
Professor,
University of Southern California.
Visiting Professor,
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine,
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya.
Registration:
