Understanding your patient qualitative approaches to research.

Question 1

what is qualitative research

Answer 1

collection and analysis of non- numerical information via formal research methods.
e.g. interviews, letters, videos etc

Question 2

why do we carry out qualitative research

Answer 2

allows the researcher to gain an understanding of the target population’s behaviour/attitude/experience

Question 3

are qualitative findings subjective

Answer 3

yes

Question 4

are qualitative findings, scientific and help develop a hypothesis

Answer 4

no

Question 5

what are the different types of qualitative research methods

Answer 5

content analysis
grounded theory
framework analysis
protocol analysis
ethnography
phenomenography
discourse analysis
conversation analysis
thematic analysis
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)

Question 6

how are themes in qualitative data identified

Answer 6

immersing in data- re reading it
coding transcripts-identifying interesting data until data saturation.
organising codes into meaningful groups
generating themes

Question 7

what is a theme

Answer 7

Recurrent and distinctive features of participants’ accounts, characterizing particular perceptions and/or experiences, which the researcher sees as relevant to the research question.

Question 8

when is qualitative useful

Answer 8

complex issue
sensitive issues- e.g. religion.
non quantifiable issues.
interpret illuminate, illustrate
understanding how and why
explore understudies research
learn about few hard to reach people
Qualitative approach = explain ‘HOW’ faith and religion may influence people’s decisions
Enables exploration of factors affecting patient choices

Question 9

what factors often play a role in qualitative research.

Answer 9

ethical
social
cultural
policy and practice
methodology expertise.

Question 10

limitations of a qualitative study

Answer 10

Generalisability
sample size often small
Reliability – findings based on interpretations by the researcher
– Knowledge (depth & breadth) of the research topic
– Imagination and ability to identify ‘important’ findings

Question 11

what are the strengths of qualitative studies

Answer 11

Robust methodologies
qualitative research offers deeper understanding
Unpredictable and insightful
Usually unobtainable using a quantitative approaches based on preconceived ideas