This course provides an introduction to the use of qualitative research methods in public health. Students will gain experience in the use and application of qualitative research methods including participant observation, in-depth and key informant interviewing, focus group discussions, systematic data collection, and document analysis. Students examine different qualitative methods and techniques and learn how they can be used alone or in conjunction with quantitative methods. The course also includes attention to topics such as validity and reliability, triangulation, operationalization, site and resource identification, sampling methods, framing questions, and interview design. The course includes some basic data analysis approaches. By the end of the course, students will have developed a brief research proposal on a topic of their choice that is based on preliminary research that students conduct throughout the course.