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Certification Pathway

Five progressive levels of qualitative research competency.

Each level defines its own learning outcomes, evidence of competency, rubric and passing rules. Enrol in a single level or take a bundle to progress systematically.

SLT & Credit Equivalence Table

1 credit = 40 notional SLT hours (Malaysian convention) · 1 credit = 1 Micro-Credential certificate

Student Learning Time and credit equivalence per level
LevelModulesSLT / moduleTotal SLTCreditsMicro-Credentials
Level 01 · Foundation104 h40 h11
Level 02 · Practitioner165 h80 h22
Level 03 · Analyst186 h (final project 18 h)120 h33
Level 04 · Supervisor148 h (final project 16 h)120 h33
Level 05 · Master Trainer1410 h (final project 30 h)160 h44
Total72—520 h1313

Credit equivalence follows the Malaysian convention: 1 credit = 40 notional Student Learning Time (SLT) hours. Every level is calibrated to a whole-number credit value for direct mapping to university qualitative research syllabi.

Micro-Credential Register (13 certificates)

Each micro-credential bundles the modules below into one credit (40 SLT hours) and is issued as a separate stackable certificate.

Micro-credential names and module coverage
CodeMicro-CredentialLevelModulesSLTCredit
MC-01Foundations of Qualitative InquiryL01 · FoundationM01–M10 (10)40 h1
MC-02Qualitative Research Problem and DesignL02 · PractitionerM01–M08 (8)40 h1
MC-03Sampling, Instruments and Proposal WritingL02 · PractitionerM09–M16 (8)40 h1
MC-04Qualitative Data Preparation and CodingL03 · AnalystM01–M07 (7)42 h1
MC-05Analytic Approaches and TrustworthinessL03 · AnalystM08–M14 (7)42 h1
MC-06Reporting and Discussing Qualitative FindingsL03 · AnalystM15–M18 (4)36 h1
MC-07Standards for Evaluating Qualitative ResearchL04 · SupervisorM01–M05 (5)40 h1
MC-08Chapter-Level Thesis and Manuscript EvaluationL04 · SupervisorM06–M10 (5)40 h1
MC-09Supervision Rubrics and Reviewer PracticeL04 · SupervisorM11–M14 (4)40 h1
MC-10Foundations of Research Training DesignL05 · Master TrainerM01–M04 (4)40 h1
MC-11Facilitation, Coaching and Competency AssessmentL05 · Master TrainerM05–M08 (4)40 h1
MC-12QRI Standards, Ethics and Trainer PortfolioL05 · Master TrainerM09–M12 (4)40 h1
MC-13Micro-Teaching and Training Delivery CapstoneL05 · Master TrainerM13–M14 (2)40 h1
LEVEL 01Foundation

Certified Qualitative Research Associate

Audience
Postgraduate students, novice researchers, teachers new to qualitative inquiry.
Outcome
Understand the paradigm, language and ethics of qualitative research and complete a guided reflection portfolio.
Passing Rule
100% module completion, all quizzes, ≥70% overall score, final reflection submitted.
Investment
$60
SLT / Credits
40 h · 1 credit

Module Structure (10)

Enrol →
  1. 01Introduction to Qualitative Research4 h SLT
  2. 02Differences between Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Research4 h SLT
  3. 03Paradigm, Ontology and Epistemology in Qualitative Research4 h SLT
  4. 04Research Purpose and Research Questions4 h SLT
  5. 05Qualitative Research Design4 h SLT
  6. 06Introduction to Interviews, Observation and Document Analysis4 h SLT
  7. 07Ethics in Qualitative Research4 h SLT
  8. 08Basic Qualitative Research Proposal Writing4 h SLT
  9. 09Final Quiz4 h SLT
  10. 10Learning Reflection4 h SLT
LEVEL 02Practitioner

Certified Qualitative Research Practitioner

Audience
Researchers designing their first qualitative study or proposal.
Outcome
Construct a problem statement, purpose, research questions, sampling plan, protocols and a mini qualitative proposal.
Passing Rule
≥75% score, complete proposal artefacts and assessor review.
Investment
$150
SLT / Credits
80 h · 2 credits

Module Structure (16)

Enrol →
  1. 01Constructing a Qualitative Research Problem5 h SLT
  2. 02Developing Research Purpose and Research Questions5 h SLT
  3. 03Literature Review for Qualitative Research5 h SLT
  4. 04Case Study Design5 h SLT
  5. 05Phenomenological Design5 h SLT
  6. 06Grounded Theory Design5 h SLT
  7. 07Ethnographic Design5 h SLT
  8. 08Narrative Inquiry Design5 h SLT
  9. 09Selecting Research Participants5 h SLT
  10. 10Sampling Techniques in Qualitative Research5 h SLT
  11. 11Developing an Interview Protocol5 h SLT
  12. 12Developing an Observation Form5 h SLT
  13. 13Developing a Document Analysis Checklist5 h SLT
  14. 14Pilot Study in Qualitative Research5 h SLT
  15. 15Writing Chapter 1, Chapter 2 and Chapter 35 h SLT
  16. 16Final Project: Mini Qualitative Research Proposal5 h SLT
LEVEL 03Analyst

Certified Qualitative Research Analyst

Audience
Researchers with data in hand: transcripts, field notes, documents.
Outcome
Analyse qualitative data end-to-end — coding, theme development, findings and discussion for a thesis chapter.
Passing Rule
≥75% score, complete coded dataset and Chapter 4–5 draft.
Investment
$350
SLT / Credits
120 h · 3 credits

Module Structure (18)

Enrol →
  1. 01Introduction to Qualitative Data6 h SLT
  2. 02Interview Transcription6 h SLT
  3. 03Data Cleaning and Data Management6 h SLT
  4. 04Open Coding6 h SLT
  5. 05Axial Coding6 h SLT
  6. 06Selective Coding6 h SLT
  7. 07Thematic Analysis6 h SLT
  8. 08Framework Analysis6 h SLT
  9. 09Content Analysis6 h SLT
  10. 10Narrative Analysis6 h SLT
  11. 11Constant Comparative Method6 h SLT
  12. 12Data Triangulation6 h SLT
  13. 13Trustworthiness: Credibility, Transferability, Dependability and Confirmability6 h SLT
  14. 14Audit Trail and Reflexivity6 h SLT
  15. 15Ethical Use of AI in Qualitative Data Analysis6 h SLT
  16. 16Writing Chapter 4: Findings6 h SLT
  17. 17Writing Chapter 5: Discussion6 h SLT
  18. 18Final Project: Qualitative Dataset Analysis18 h SLT
LEVEL 04Supervisor

Certified Qualitative Research Supervisor / Reviewer

Audience
Supervisors, examiners and journal reviewers of qualitative theses.
Outcome
Evaluate qualitative theses and manuscripts against QRI standards and produce reviewer reports.
Passing Rule
≥78% score, submit two reviewer reports, panel interview pass.
Investment
$700
SLT / Credits
120 h · 3 credits

Module Structure (14)

Enrol →
  1. 01Standards for Evaluating Qualitative Theses8 h SLT
  2. 02Evaluating Alignment of Title, Problem, Purpose and Research Questions8 h SLT
  3. 03Evaluating Chapter 1: Introduction8 h SLT
  4. 04Evaluating Chapter 2: Literature Review8 h SLT
  5. 05Evaluating Chapter 3: Methodology8 h SLT
  6. 06Evaluating Chapter 4: Findings8 h SLT
  7. 07Evaluating Chapter 5: Discussion and Conclusion8 h SLT
  8. 08Evaluating Trustworthiness and Ethics8 h SLT
  9. 09Evaluating Evidence Strength and Participant Quotations8 h SLT
  10. 10Providing Constructive Academic Feedback8 h SLT
  11. 11Supervision and Examination Rubrics8 h SLT
  12. 12Proposal Evaluation Simulation8 h SLT
  13. 13Thesis Chapter Evaluation Simulation8 h SLT
  14. 14Final Assessment: Reviewer Report16 h SLT
LEVEL 05Master Trainer

Certified Qualitative Research Master Trainer

Audience
Established researchers building capacity for institutions and cohorts.
Outcome
Design and deliver qualitative research training aligned to the QRI certification standard.
Passing Rule
≥80% score, trainer portfolio, micro-teaching pass, panel approval.
Investment
$1,200
SLT / Credits
160 h · 4 credits

Module Structure (14)

Enrol →
  1. 01Philosophy of Professional Research Training10 h SLT
  2. 02Instructional Design for Research Training10 h SLT
  3. 03Training Needs Analysis in Qualitative Research10 h SLT
  4. 04Designing Qualitative Research Training Modules10 h SLT
  5. 05Facilitation Skills for Adult Learners10 h SLT
  6. 06Coaching Master's and Ph.D. Students10 h SLT
  7. 07Assessing Participant Competency10 h SLT
  8. 08Developing Rubrics and Assessment Instruments10 h SLT
  9. 09Managing Online and Hybrid Workshops10 h SLT
  10. 10QRI Certification Standard10 h SLT
  11. 11Ethics and Professional Conduct for QRI Trainers10 h SLT
  12. 12Trainer Portfolio Development10 h SLT
  13. 13Micro-Teaching Session10 h SLT
  14. 14Final Capstone: Conducting One QRI Training Session30 h SLT