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Influencing policy with qualitative research skills

10 September 2024

Crawford School Executive Education asked Professor Ariadne Vromen and Dr Laura Davy, convenors of the course on Qualitative research methods, to learn more about how policy professionals can use qualitative research skills to influence policy.

Q: In a world of ‘fast’ policy making, how can policy professionals ensure rigour and trustworthiness of the process and results of doing qualitative research?

A: In this course, we talk about rigorous ways of constructing samples in qualitative research methods such as interviews and focus groups. Every individual included in a sample needs to meet set criteria for inclusion, and these inclusion criteria need to be driven by the research questions being asked. All rigorous research needs to be systematic – convenience samples or just talking with random people is akin to vox pop journalism, not good social science!

Q: What makes ‘good’ qualitative research?

A: Good qualitative research is well-designed research – a lot of preparation and thought goes into constructing answerable research questions, sample selection, research tool design (such as interview schedules), data collection, and thematic data analysis. All of these stages should be planned, transparent and discussed in analysis and write-ups.

Q: Qualitative research methods and/or qualitative inquiry are perceived as ‘data enhancers’, what are your thoughts about this statement?

A: That statement is a problem! Yes, sometimes researchers like to include quotes from interviews to provide “colour” to explain their survey data and analysis, for example. But as will become clear through our course, doing qualitative people-centred research is about using data collection and analysis to understand the meaning people give to their attitudes, experiences and behaviour. This might help us better deeply understand unique experiences, or to better unpack the context to patterns we see in quantitative data. No matter what, qualitative research should be designed and analysed well.

Q: How can participants benefit from a short course on qualitative research methods? Can they immediately apply and use the tools from this course without a need for external experts?

A: Our course is designed to be a hands-on practical introduction to doing people-centred research and to show why it’s useful. We include principles around when to choose qualitative methods, the types of data collection methods available to researchers, sampling, designing data collection tools, and analysis. It should give participants working in public policy the confidence to commission and undertake a qualitative study.

Reserve a spot for Qualitative research methods and save $300 before the early bird rate closes on 18 September 2024.

Group discounts are available. Contact csee@anu.edu.au for more information.

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Updated:  7 October 2024/Responsible Officer:  Crawford Engagement/Page Contact:  CAP Web Team