Qualitative Methods in Public Health: A Field Guide for Applied Research

From Family Health International (FHI), this practical guide is intended for use by social scientists, public health specialists, and research teams who want to use qualitative methods to study sexual and reproductive health. It contains chapters focusing on the language and logic of qualitative research, study design, data collection, logistics, data analysis, writing, and research dissemination. It is written largely in non-academic language. It incorporates a focus on reproductive and sexual health examples, and other practical examples from community medicine, nursing, HIV/AIDS, and other fields.

The guide also includes:

• Examples of mixed qualitative-quantitative research design;
• Guidelines for discussions, sample budgets, and caveats for planning and implementing focus groups;
• A sample agenda for training interviewers;
• A summary of needed critical appraisal skills;
• Tips on where to publish results;
• A sample brochure to share qualitative study findings with participating communities; and
• A comprehensive index.

The final section includes oral consent forms, sample study designs, guidelines for managing focus group discussions, and a journals list.

Further information and ordering details may be obtained by clicking on the link below. Developing country researchers may request a copy from FHI; others may order from the publisher.