11.2 Issues in Qualitative Research

Question 1

Ethics

Answer 1

• Qualitative studies have ethical concerns
• Grounded theory interview questions may change as data emerges. Due to questions constantly changing for each person, it is difficult to provide full informed consent at the start of the study
• Prolonged time together in a natural setting also opens possibilities of relationships to develop between researcher and participant which may blur the focus of interaction

Question 2

Naturalistic Setting

Answer 2

Ethnographic studies
- Researchers immerse themselves and engage with participants in the “real world” over a prolonged period of time. Informed consent may be difficult if the researcher is seeking a “covert” approach.

Question 3

Emergent Nature in Design

Answer 3

• Requires ongoing negotiations of consent with the participants.
• Over the course of a study, situations change, and what might be agreeable at the start can become burdensome and intrusive later on.

Question 4

The Researcher is the Instrument

Answer 4

• Researchers must acknowledge any personal biases and strive to interpret data to reflect the patients view because it is the responsibility of the researcher to establish rigor in data collection. This means that researchers may need to review and get feedback from the participant on the researchers interpretation of data.

Question 5

Credibility

Answer 5

• Researcher returns to participants to share their interpretation of findings and query about accuracy

Question 6

Auditability

Answer 6

• The researcher provides examples in enough detail so others can evaluate the importance for practice

Question 7

Fittingness

Answer 7

• The research report “rings true” if the reader knows enough about the human experience under study.