Resources for Qualitative Research

Methods-focused resources for applied qualitative research

This section brings together a set of practical, methods-focused resources designed to support researchers working with qualitative data in applied health, mental health and neuroscience research. The resources are intended to complement the one-to-one advice sessions and workshops that the RSS offers.

Each resource set includes a combination of short explainer videos and presentations, designed to be methodologically rigorous and grounded in real research challenges. They are suitable for early-career researchers, clinicians, and experienced qualitative researchers looking to deepen or refine their practice.

Reflexivity in Grant Applications

Strengthening funding applications through reflexive thinking

This resource set focuses on how reflexivity can be meaningfully embedded in grant writing, rather than treated as an add-on or confined to qualitative methods sections. It reframes reflexivity as a thread that runs through the entire application, shaping research questions, methods, PPIE, impact plans, team composition and ethical reasoning.

The materials offer practical guidance on what reflexivity looks like in funding applications, why panels respond positively to it even when it is not explicitly requested, and how reflexive thinking can strengthen coherence, credibility and fundability. They encourage researchers to reflect on positionality, power, assumptions and values, and to make these considerations visible in ways that support strong study design.

This resource set is relevant across methodologies, but is especially valuable for qualitative and mixed-methods proposals, and for researchers applying to NIHR and similar funders.

Managing Qualitative Data When Analysis Plans Change

Developing post–data collection qualitative analysis plans

This resource set supports researchers who find themselves needing to rethink or develop a qualitative analysis plan after data collection has already taken place. While often viewed as a problem or failure, this situation is common in applied research and can arise for many legitimate reasons, including project changes, staffing transitions, or unexpected data characteristics.

The materials guide researchers through a structured process of taking stock of their data, clarifying the role of the qualitative component within the wider study, and making informed, transparent decisions about analysis approaches. Key considerations include alignment with research questions, data richness, theoretical frameworks, team-based analysis, and intended audiences.

Rather than prescribing a single method, the resource emphasises methodological fit, justification and reflexivity, helping researchers develop analysis plans that are credible, defensible and appropriate for publication or reporting.

This resource set is particularly useful for early-career researchers, clinicians joining projects mid-stream, and teams working with complex or mixed-methods designs.

Imposter and Fraudulent Participants in Qualitative Research

Understanding, recognising and responding to emerging threats to data integrity

This resource set addresses the growing methodological and ethical challenge of imposter or fraudulent participation in qualitative research and PPIE. Drawing on recent empirical work and sector guidance, it explores how ineligible or misrepresented participation can arise, particularly in online and remote research contexts, and why this issue requires careful, reflexive handling rather than purely procedural responses.

The materials examine how researchers can recognise potential warning signs, think critically about eligibility and inclusion, and respond to concerns in ways that protect both data integrity and trust. Rather than offering rigid rules, the resources foreground judgement, transparency and good research design, situating fraud prevention within broader questions of ethics, power, payment and responsibility.

This resource set is particularly relevant for researchers conducting online interviews, digital ethnography, remote PPIE, or working in sensitive or highly incentivised research contexts.

Using co-design in Health Services Research

Considerations when crafting a co-design study

This resource set provides information on design thinking and co-design and offers considerations for using co-design in grant applications. It offers a definition of co-design and provides an overview of different co-design approaches, methods and tools.

The materials offer practical guidance on designing a study that uses co-design, alongside information on convening the co-design team, tips on timelines, budgeting considerations and training needs.

Qualitative health research involving children

Ethical and methodological considerations

This session explores key ethical and methodological considerations in qualitative health research with children. It starts by examining how views of children and childhood have changed and what this means for research. The session covers ethical issues such as consent and assent, privacy, confidentiality and protecting children from harm. It also addresses practical and methodological issues including access and recruitment, remuneration, building rapport and trust and using methods like interviews, creative and visual approaches, participatory research and ethnography.

Developing good qualitative research questions

This session explores why research questions are central to qualitative studies. You will learn how to create questions that are clear, focused, open-ended, answerable and ethically sound. The session also includes real examples from funded projects.