Qualitative Flashcards
Define research
Study that generates NEW knowledge about patients/ conditions/ healthcare service.
New knowledge will be generally true across a wide population.
Define service evaluation
Evaluates/ assesses part of local healthcare service with aim to improve the service based on evidence collected.
Results only feeds back to service not patient/ national services.
Features of a good question in study
- What we want to know
- What type of data we should generate
- Type of analysis
Type of questions in questionnaire
Closed yes/no/ categorical
- Categories can be MCQ choose one or many
Closed statements on a scale
- Ordinal/ numbered
Open ended
Likert scales
Type of closed interval question.
Assess level of agreement or disagreement for a series of statements.
Good for
- Knowledge
- Beliefs
- Attitudes
- Symptoms
Assumptions based on Likert scales
Bipolar scaling method, measuring either positive or negative response to a statement
Assumes distances between each response are equal, that is, the distance
between each candidate value is the same
Each response gets a number e.g. 1 to 5
Scores are summed across statements to form a scale – all items have equal weight
Define qualitative research
Exploratory research done to gain an understanding of underlying reasons/ opinions and motivations.
Data includes:
- Patient voice in interviews
- Media reports
- Viewpoints of clinicians
- Policy documents
- historical records
- Open answers on questionnaire.
Benefits of qualitative data. [6]
- Provides more depth and detail
- Avoids pre-judgements
- Study can be used to generate hypothesis
- Reducing phenomena to numbers may not be desirable.
- Allows more information to be obtained for things where we lack an understanding of the concept.
- Allows openness in possible responses
Cons of qualitative research [6]
Time consuming to transcribe and interpret data.
Highly subjective results.
Complex data may be difficult to analyse.
Cannot compare groups.
Data may not be generalisable.
Harder to analyse data in larger populations so few subjects needed.
Why is qualitative research used?
Intepretative and naturalistic approach to subject matter.
Patient-centred agenda
Can generate new hypothesis and inform quantitative studies.
Types of qualitative research
Observation
Textual analysis/ analysis of documents
Focus groups
Intervies
Observational research
Where the researcher is immersed into an environment/ culture in order to observe and listen to the participants.
Allow the appreciation of the culture in the group to gained.
- Allows first-hand information about social processes to be gathered.
Textual analysis/ analysis of documents
- Description
- Types of analysis (4)
Interpretation of different texts: writings, internet, forums, social media, adverts Allows: - Discourse analysis - Narrative analysis - Content analysis - Phenomenological analysis
Discourse analysis
Analysis of how language is used
Narrative analysis
Analysis of how stories or public opinion develop over time
