The curriculum with co-created with a maternal-child health epidemiologist, qualitative methodologist, EMPOWER project stakeholder with lived experience of substance use in pregnancy, and psychologist. The content for each training module was iteratively created to ensure the inclusion of appropriate, adequate, and accessible information related to each learning objective. This workgroup met weekly over the course of six months to co-develop the training modules and materials. 

The training course included seven modules, with three self-paced, interactive online training modules and four live online training sessions. Each self-paced online module took stakeholders ~30 minutes to complete, and the four live online training sessions were scheduled for 90 minutes each.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

The learning objectives for each module are summarized below:

Learning Objectives of the Qualitative Research Methods Patient Stakeholder Virtual Training Course

 Module 1: Qualitative Research & Developing Research Questions

(Mode: self-paced)
●Define qualitative research
●Identify 3 types of qualitative data

●Review examples of qualitative research questions

●Identify when qualitative methods are appropriate
Module 2: Data Collection Methods

(Mode: self-paced)
●Identify 3 types of qualitative data collection methods
●Describe the strengths and limitations of each method
●Identify how data is collected and stored

Module 3: Crafting Qualitative Research Questions and Co-Creating Data Collection Tools

(Mode: live training session)
●Identify 1 qualitative research question for a focus group & develop data collection instrument
●Identify 1 qualitative research question for an individual interview & develop data collection instrument
●Practice collecting and recording data using role playing methods in small groups

Module 4: Hands-On Experience in Data Collection Methods

(Mode: live training session)

● Conduct a 15-minute focus group with existing EMPOWER Project clinical and community stakeholders as mock-research participants

● Conduct 15-minute individual interviews with EMPOWER Project clinical or community stakeholders as mock-research participants

●Summarize research experiences

Module 5: Qualitative Data Analysis

(Mode: live training session)
●Identify at least two basics to MAXQDA software

●Discuss data coding strategies in MAXQDA using data collected from Module 4
●Conduct thematic analysis of data collected from Module 4

Module 6: Dissemination of Qualitative Research

(Mode: self-paced)
●Define dissemination methods
●Review examples of PCOR/CER dissemination for diverse stakeholder groups
●Identify why dissemination is important for PCOR/CER

Module 7: Development of Materials for Dissemination

(Mode: live training session)

●Co-create a mini research poster to disseminate findings from Modules 4 & 5
●Co-create a 3 slide PowerPoint presentation to disseminate findings from Modules 4 & 5
●Practice presentations of poster and power-point presentations

●Practice asking and answering questions related to research presentations

Visit EMPOWER’s Google Drive for access to additional materials, including facilitators guides, worksheets, etc