Author Description

This course provides an overview of two types of qualitative data collection methodologies: semi-structured interviews and focus groups. These techniques are commonly used in policy research and are applicable to many research questions. The course does not aim to cover all the aspects of interviewing and focus groups, but rather it is designed to provide an overview of these methods, as well as some practical tools that will allow readers to improve their qualitative data collection. We acknowledge that different disciplines often speak about these research methods in different terms. For example, while some disciplines and professions may use the term "active data collection," these materials use the terms more traditionally associated with qualitative research.