Qualitative Methods Certificate

Description of and requirements to earn this certificate listed below

Fall 2026 Office/Consultation Hours

One-on-one consultations to discuss faculty's individual qualitative projects and questions. These consultations are available by appointment by emailing Lucia Alcalá at  [email protected]. There are also open office hours available Mondays from 3:00-6:00pm.

Fall 2026 Offerings

Register for these workshops using the QMPC registration form.

Designing a Qualitative Study
Facilitated by Lucia Alcalá

• Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | 1:00pm-2:00pm (Zoom)

Participants will be introduced to best practices for designing a qualitative study, including developing research questions, finding or developing appropriate data collection instruments, and preparing a research plan/proposal.

Introduction to Co-Design Methodology
Facilitated by Lucia Alcalá

• Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 1:00pm-2:00pm (Zoom)

This workshop will introduce participants to the basic components of co-design methods in qualitative methodology. Including best practices to working with minoritized communities.

Introduction to NVivo
Facilitated by Lucia Alcalá

• Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 1:00pm-2:00pm (Zoom)

Participants will learn the basics of using Nvivo. For example, how to access Nvivo, set up a project using Nvivo, import data, create folders & set up codes.

Designing and Conducting Qualitative Interviews
Facilitated by Lucia Alcalá

• Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | 1:00pm-2:00pm (Zoom)

This workshop will guide participants in developing an effective interview protocol tailored to their project-specific research questions. It will also cover best practices for conducting both individual and group interviews.

Introduction to Qualitative Coding Using NVivo
Facilitated by Lucia Alcalá

• Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 1:00pm-2:00pm (Zoom)

The purpose of this workshop is  to provide an introduction for participants on the theoretical foundation of qualitative coding and provide experience using various coding approaches using Nvivo.

Exploring Your Data in Nvivo
Facilitated by Lucia Alcalá

• Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 1:00pm-2:00pm (Zoom)

This workshop is designed to be a follow-up to the introduction to Nvivo workshop. Participants will learn the basic analytical tools in Nvivo including running queries, exploring multiple patterns in the data, creating thinking maps and merging projects.

Writing & Reporting your Qualitative Findings
Facilitated by Lucia Alcalá

• Wednesday, December 9, 2026 | 1:00pm-2:00pm (Zoom)

During this workshops participants will learn various methods to organize and report their qualitative findings.

Workshop Flyer

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Certificate Description and Requirements

Purpose

To support faculty in expanding their repertoire of research methodologies, the Faculty Development Center, is offering a qualitative methods certificate. This certificate program will position faculty to develop methodological knowledge and skills to design and execute a qualitative research project with a specific focus on ethical and responsive research practices.

Eligibility

Current CSUF part-time and full-time faculty and staff are eligible. Qualitative Methods workshops, activities, and resources are open and available to all who are interested in applying and/or participating, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or any other protected status.

Certificate Learning Goals

• Describe the process of designing a qualitative study.
• Explain the influence of positionality on qualitative methodology
• Explain how qualitative methodology can support and expand the faculty’s research agenda.

Certificate Requirements 

Required Workshops

All six workshops must be completed within two years to be eligible for the certificate.

1. Designing a qualitative study
2. Introduction to coding using Nvivo
3. Introduction to co-design methodology
4. Writing & reporting your qualitative findings
5. Any other two workshops that support the development of qualitative methodology. This can include workshops that focus on learning how to use Nvivo as a qualitative analysis tool or workshops on developing data collection instruments/interviews.

Qualitative Methods Portfolio

1. A list of qualitative methods workshops including the titles and years completed by the faculty.
2. Drafts of the following documents:
   1. Qualitative statement of purpose
   2. Positionality statement
   3. Research questions
   4. Description of coding plan
   5. A list of 1-3 potential data collection methods and an explanation of how these will help collect the necessary data.

A 250–500-word reflection that:

• Reflects on how the qualitative methods workshops will inform and support the faculty’s research agenda.
• Describes next steps for starting a qualitative research project.
• List of additional workshops or support needed by the faculty to continue to build on their knowledge of qualitative methodology and expand their qualitative research.