Data analysis in qualitative research
TL;DR: In this EBN notebook, I will try to help readers make sense of some of the assertions that are made about qualitative data analysis so that they can develop a critical eye for when an analytical claim is convincing and when it is not.
Abstract: Unquestionably, data analysis is the most complex and mysterious of all of the phases of a qualitative project, and the one that receives the least thoughtful discussion in the literature. For neophyte nurse researchers, many of the data collection strategies involved in a qualitative project may feel familiar and comfortable. After all, nurses have always based their clinical practice on learning as much as possible about the people they work with, and detecting commonalities and variations among and between them in order to provide individualised care. However, creating a database is not sufficient to conduct a qualitative study. In order to generate findings that transform raw data into new knowledge, a qualitative researcher must engage in active and demanding analytic processes throughout all phases of the research. Understanding these processes is therefore an important aspect not only of doing qualitative research, but also of reading, understanding, and interpreting it.
For readers of qualitative studies, the language of analysis can be confusing. It is sometimes difficult to know what the researchers actually did during this phase and to understand how their findings evolved out of the data that were collected or constructed. Furthermore, in describing their processes, some authors use language that accentuates this sense of mystery and magic. For example, they may claim that their conceptual categories “emerged” from the data1—almost as if they left the raw data out overnight and awoke to find that the data analysis fairies had organised the data into a coherent new structure that explained everything! In this EBN notebook, I will try to help readers make sense of some of the assertions that are made about qualitative data analysis so that they can develop a critical eye for when an analytical claim is convincing and when it is not.
Qualitative data come …
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TL;DR: The process of conducting a thematic analysis is illustrated through the presentation of an auditable decision trail, guiding interpreting and representing textual data and exploring issues of rigor and trustworthiness.
Abstract: As qualitative research becomes increasingly recognized and valued, it is imperative that it is conducted in a rigorous and methodical manner to yield meaningful and useful results. To be accepted ...
9,963 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that adopting saturation as a generic quality marker is inappropriate, considering issues of transparency and epistemology, and highlight the pertinent issues and encoura...
Abstract: Measuring quality in qualitative research is a contentious issue with diverse opinions and various frameworks available within the evidence base. One important and somewhat neglected argument within this field relates to the increasingly ubiquitous discourse of data saturation. While originally developed within grounded theory, theoretical saturation, and later termed data/thematic saturation for other qualitative methods, the meaning has evolved and become transformed. Problematically this temporal drift has been treated as unproblematic and saturation as a marker for sampling adequacy is becoming increasingly accepted and expected. In this article we challenge the unquestioned acceptance of the concept of saturation and consider its plausibility and transferability across all qualitative approaches. By considering issues of transparency and epistemology we argue that adopting saturation as a generic quality marker is inappropriate. The aim of this article is to highlight the pertinent issues and encoura...
1,927 citations
Cites background from "Data analysis in qualitative resear..."
...Those who use inductive reasoning use the data to generate ideas and those who use deductive reasoning begin with an idea and then use the data to confirm it (Thorne, 2000)....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors further develop their understanding of this methodological alternative by elaborating on the objective and mechanisms of its analytic processes and by expanding their consideration of its interpretive products.
Abstract: The past decade has witnessed remarkable evolution within qualitative health research as scholars have moved beyond initial adherence to the specific methods of phenomenology, grounded theory, and ethnography to develop methods more responsive to the experience-based questions of interest to a practice-based discipline. Interpretive description (Thorne, Reimer Kirkham, & MacDonald-Emes, 1997) is an inductive analytic approaches designed to create ways of understanding clinical phenomena that yield applications implications. In this article, we further develop our understanding of this methodological alternative by elaborating on the objective and mechanisms of its analytic processes and by expanding our consideration of its interpretive products.
1,458 citations
Cites background from "Data analysis in qualitative resear..."
...Enacting the analytic process: Engaging the mechanisms of interpretation Within the body of qualitative methodological literature, there exist a wide range of “recipes” to guide the mechanics of the analytic process (Thorne, 2000)....
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...Within the body of qualitative methodological literature, there exist a wide range of “recipes” to guide the mechanics of the analytic process (Thorne, 2000)....
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TL;DR: Thematic analysis is outlined, positioning it in relation to other methods of qualitative analysis, and described when it is appropriate to use the method under a variety of epistemological frameworks, as this term is often misapplied.
Abstract: Thematic analysis is a widely used, yet often misunderstood, method of qualitative data analysis. It is a useful and accessible tool for qualitative researchers, but confusion regarding the method's philosophical underpinnings and imprecision in how it has been described have complicated its use and acceptance among researchers. In this Guide, we outline what thematic analysis is, positioning it in relation to other methods of qualitative analysis, and describe when it is appropriate to use the method under a variety of epistemological frameworks. We also provide a detailed definition of a theme, as this term is often misapplied. Next, we describe the most commonly used six-step framework for conducting thematic analysis, illustrating each step using examples from our own research. Finally, we discuss advantages and disadvantages of this method and alert researchers to pitfalls to avoid when using thematic analysis. We aim to highlight thematic analysis as a powerful and flexible method of qualitative analysis and to empower researchers at all levels of experience to conduct thematic analysis in rigorous and thoughtful way.
919 citations
Cites methods from "Data analysis in qualitative resear..."
...Depending on the study, the data set might include interviews, focus groups, recorded observations, field notes, journal entries, or other media such as photographs or videos (Thorne 2000; Nowell et al. 2017)....
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...Data analysis has been described as ‘the most complex and mysterious of all of the phases of a qualitative project, and the one that receives the least thoughtful discussion in the literature’ (Thorne 2000)....
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TL;DR: Criteria of methods and findings reported in research articles published in 2014 whose authors identified the work as QD were identified and recommended to researchers to provide as many details as possible regarding the methods of their QD studies so that readers can determine whether the methods used were reasonable and effective in producing useful findings.
Abstract: Qualitative description (QD) is a term that is widely used to describe qualitative studies of health care and nursing-related phenomena. However, limited discussions regarding QD are found in the existing literature. In this systematic review, we identified characteristics of methods and findings reported in research articles published in 2014 whose authors identified the work as QD. After searching and screening, data were extracted from the sample of 55 QD articles and examined to characterize research objectives, design justification, theoretical/philosophical frameworks, sampling and sample size, data collection and sources, data analysis, and presentation of findings. In this review, three primary findings were identified. First, although there were some inconsistencies, most articles included characteristics consistent with the limited available QD definitions and descriptions. Next, flexibility or variability of methods was common and effective for obtaining rich data and achieving understanding of a phenomenon. Finally, justification for how a QD approach was chosen and why it would be an appropriate fit for a particular study was limited in the sample and, therefore, in need of increased attention. Based on these findings, recommendations include encouragement to researchers to provide as many details as possible regarding the methods of their QD studies so that readers can determine whether the methods used were reasonable and effective in producing useful findings. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
882 citations
Cites methods from "Data analysis in qualitative resear..."
...…technique in addition to qualitative content analysis or thematic analysis in QD studies, researchers compare each case with others, looking for similarities and differences and exploring why differences exist to generate a more general understanding of phenomena of interest (Thorne, 2000)....
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References
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Book•
01 Jan 1967
TL;DR: In this paper, the discovery of grounded theory is discussed and grounded theory can be found in the form of a grounded theory discovery problem, where the root cause of the problem is identified.
Abstract: The discovery of grounded theory , The discovery of grounded theory , کتابخانه مرکزی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی تهران
22,245 citations
"Data analysis in qualitative resear..." refers methods in this paper
...Many qualitative analytic strategies rely on a general approach called “constant comparative analysis”. Originally developed for use in the grounded theory methodology of Glaser and Strauss,...
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Book•
20 Mar 1997
1,242 citations
"Data analysis in qualitative resear..." refers background in this paper
...In actual practice, however, many quantitative studies involve much inductive reasoning, whereas good qualitative analysis often requires access to a full range of strategies....
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TL;DR: In what case do you like reading so much? What about the type of the critical issues in qualitative research methods book? The needs to read? Well, everybody has their own reason why should read some books as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In what case do you like reading so much? What about the type of the critical issues in qualitative research methods book? The needs to read? Well, everybody has their own reason why should read some books. Mostly, it will relate to their necessity to get knowledge from the book and want to read just to get entertainment. Novels, story book, and other entertaining books become so popular this day. Besides, the scientific books will also be the best reason to choose, especially for the students, teachers, doctors, businessman, and other professions who are fond of reading.
551 citations
539 citations