Qualitative Methods in Evaluation of Public Health Programs, a Curriculum on Intermediate Concepts and Practices: Facilitators Guide

Qualitative Methods in Evaluation of Public Health Programs, a Curriculum on Intermediate Concepts and Practices: Facilitators Guide
Download Document:
  ms-17-121b-3.pdf (1 MB)
Qualitative Methods in Evaluation of Public Health Programs
Citation: Fehringer, J.A., Pilar Torres-Pereda, P., Dako-Gyeke, P., Archer, E., Mejia, C., Millar, L., Schriver Iskarpatyoti, B., Bobrow, E.A. (2018). Qualitative Methods in Evaluation of Public Health Programs, a Curriculum on Intermediate Concepts and Practices: Facilitators Guide. Chapel Hill, NC, USA: MEASURE Evaluation, University of North Carolina.
Abstract: Health organizations around the globe regularly make evidence-based decisions for effective health programming. Qualitative evaluation fulfills an important role in rigorous evaluation of programs. The strength of qualitative evaluation is its ability to provide valuable insight into complex issues, which quantitative methods may not provide. Qualitative data sources can answer the why behind program successes or challenges. Additionally, qualitative data illuminate the uniquely human side of health programming and bring to light important contextual factors, such as culture, gender, or societal norms. Qualitative evaluation may be used to complement quantitative data, answer a question not accessible quantitatively, or provide a cost-effective data source when one would not otherwise be available.

This course is meant to assist health professionals in using qualitative evaluation skills in sound and rigorous evaluation of their programs. The sessions go beyond basic concepts to explore important considerations of qualitative methods in the context of rigorous evaluation. Through session content and participatory exercises, participants will gain basic skills in rigorous qualitative data collection, analysis, and use.

The course curriculum is designed for participants who have a basic knowledge of program evaluation and qualitative methods. The intended audience is professionals from the monitoring and evaluation and health and development fields.

This facilitators guide is part of a package of training materials for the qualitative evaluation course. It explains how to present the sessions outlined in the syllabus: a separate, shorter document that provides an overview of the course. It is accompanied by a participants guide as well, that has handouts and information the participants will need throughout the course. The course consists of 12 sessions covering intermediate level skills and knowledge in qualitative evaluation. The total duration of the course is 8.5 working days (the sample agenda spreads this over 10 days total). Sessions range in length, but typically take about three hours to complete.

A complete collection of resources for MEASURE Evaluation's Qualitative Methods in Evaluation of Public Health Programs Curriculum can be found here.
Shortname: ms-17-121b
Author(s): Fehringer, J.A., Pilar Torres-Pereda, P., Dako-Gyeke, P., Archer, E., Mejia, C., Millar, L., Schriver Iskarpatyoti, B., Bobrow, E.A.
Year: 2018
Language: English
Region(s): Global