Co-chairs
Inge Hutter  (Netherlands)
Monique Hennink (USA)

Membership
Ernestina Coast (United Kingdom)
Charles Nzioka (Kenya) 
Mahesh Puri (Nepal)

Council Liaison
Véronique Hertrich

IUSSP Secretariat contact person
Paul Monet

Terms of Reference

There has been a significant increase in the use qualitative methods in population studies, particularly for understanding the social and cultural context of population issues. The integration of qualitative methods into population studies, a largely quantitative discipline, is extremely valuable yet it remains challenging. 

The purpose of this scientific panel is to highlight key and emerging issues for qualitative research in population studies and promote rigor of qualitative research within population studies. The Panel will use the research process as a framework for its activities by identifying specific areas that remain challenging for qualitative research within population studies. The Panel will then develop a variety of activities that advance scientific scholarship and contribute to capacity development, including by setting up discussion forums to exchange ideas on these specific issues. 

Specific focus will be placed on gaps in scientific capacity within the research process including: developing effective qualitative research proposals; longitudinal qualitative research and mixed methods research design; development of materials for capacity building; and the field application of qualitative methods. Attention will also be given to a range of cross-cutting issues that apply throughout the research process, such as: ethical challenges in qualitative research; quality of qualitative research; and exploring new technologies for qualitative research in population studies.