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Qualitative research & evaluation methods

01 Jan 2002-Iss: 1
TL;DR: In this paper, conceptual issues and themes on qualitative research and evaluaton methods including: qualitative data, triangulated inquiry, qualitative inquiry, constructivism, constructionism, complexity (chaos) theory, qualitative designs and data collection, fieldwork strategies, interviewing, tape-recording, ethical issues, analysis, interpretation and reporting, observations vs. perceived impacts and utilisation-focused evaluation reporting.
Abstract: This book explains clearly conceptual issues and themes on qualitative research and evaluaton methods including: qualitative data, triangulated inquiry, qualitative inquiry, constructivism, constructionism, Complexity (chaos) theory, qualitative designs and data collection, fieldwork strategies, interviewing, tape-recording, ethical issues, analysis, interpretation and reporting, observations vs. perceived impacts and utilisation-focused evaluation reporting.
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Physicians indicated that patient SES did affect their clinical management decisions, and physicians commonly undertook changes to their management plan in an effort to enhance patient outcomes, but they experienced numerous strains when trying to balance what they believed was feasible for the patient with what they perceived as established standards of care.
Abstract: PURPOSE Little is known about how patients’ socioeconomic status (SES) influences physicians’ clinical management decisions, although this information may have important implications for understanding inequities in health care quality. We investigated physician perspectives on how patients’ SES influences care. METHODS The study consisted of in-depth semistructured interviews with primary care physicians in Connecticut. Investigators coded interviews line by line and refined the coding structure and interview guide based on successive interviews. Recurrent themes emerged through iterative analysis of codes and tagged quotations. RESULTS We interviewed 18 physicians from varied practice settings, 6 female, 9 from minority racial backgrounds, and 3 of Hispanic ethnicity. Four themes emerged from our interviews: (1) physicians held conflicting views about the effect of patient SES on clinical management, (2) physicians believed that changes in clinical management based on the patient’s SES were made in the patient’s interest, (3) physicians varied in the degree to which they thought changes in clinical management influenced patient outcomes, and (4) physicians faced personal and financial strains when caring for patients of low SES. CONCLUSIONS Physicians indicated that patient SES did affect their clinical management decisions. As a result, physicians commonly undertook changes to their management plan in an effort to enhance patient outcomes, but they experienced numerous strains when trying to balance what they believed was feasible for the patient with what they perceived as established standards of care.

161 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study focused on the emotions, perceptions, and experiences of existential isolation in palliative patients with cancer and their families in Swedes who defined themselves as nonreligious.
Abstract: Background: The diagnosis of an incurable disease implies an existential crisis. This study focused on the emotions, perceptions, and experiences of existential isolation in palliative pat...

160 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: First-time fathers' experiences during early infancy of their children may bring about increased support from midwives and child health nurses, and hence are important for their child's growth and development, emotional health and cognitive development.
Abstract: Research suggests that the attitude of men towards pregnancy, childbirth and child-caring is different from that of women. Up to now, research has focused mainly on motherhood. The aim of this study was to explore first-time fathers’ experiences during early infancy of their children. Grounded theory and constant comparative method were used and 20 fathers aged 20–48 participated. Interviews were carried out in 2002–2003. ‘Changing life’ emerged as the core category consisting of the categories: becoming a father, alternating between work and home, changing relationship towards partner and developing relationship with their child. Changing life implied that they have left bachelor life and become responsible for a child. Becoming a father was much more fantastic than they could have imagined and they suggested that they performed childcare to the same extent as the mother when both parents were at home. Still fathers viewed the mother as the main parent, partly because of their alternating between work and home and because the mothers breast-feed the infants. Fathers’ attitude towards breast-feeding seemed to be ambiguous; it was a matter of necessity, but made them feel insignificant. Changing relationship towards partner was common but it was not necessarily for the worst and often resulted in a more closely united relationship. However, tiredness because of lack of sleep could result in increased irritability towards problems. Developing relationship with their child implied increasing possibilities to learn to know the infant’s signals. Fathers are one of two parents, and hence are important for their child’s growth and development, emotional health and cognitive development. Knowledge about first-time fathers’ experiences during the early infancy of their children may bring about increased support from midwives and child health nurses.

160 citations

Proceedings ArticleDOI
27 Feb 2016
TL;DR: This paper analyzes the current state of practice among researchers using online data, reflecting on changing ethical practices in the digital age, and discusses a set of emergent best practices for ethical social computing research.
Abstract: Pervasive information streams that document people and their routines have been a boon to social computing research. But the ethics of collecting and analyzing available&-but potentially sensitive-online data present challenges to researchers. In response to increasing public and scholarly debate over the ethics of online data research, this paper analyzes the current state of practice among researchers using online data. Qualitative and quantitative responses from a survey of 263 online data researchers document beliefs and practices around which social computing researchers are converging, as well as areas of ongoing disagreement. The survey also reveals that these disagreements are not correlated with disciplinary, methodological, or workplace affiliations. The paper concludes by reflecting on changing ethical practices in the digital age, and discusses a set of emergent best practices for ethical social computing research.

160 citations


Cites methods from "Qualitative research & evaluation m..."

  • ...Therefore, we employed purposive sampling [32] to identify individuals who fit three criteria: age (18+); current employment status (i....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a study based on a consumer survey carried out in Sweden is presented, which explores and provides insights on Swedish consumer perceptions and knowledge of environmental aspects of food packaging and elaborates on how these can contribute to or counteract environmentally sustainable development.
Abstract: Packaging has a fundamental role in ensuring safe delivery of goods throughout supply chains to the end consumer in good condition. It also has great potential to contribute to sustainable development. This paper explores and provides insights on Swedish consumer perceptions and knowledge of environmental aspects of food packaging and elaborates on how these can contribute to or counteract environmentally sustainable development. A study based on a consumer survey carried out in Sweden is presented. A review of recent packaging research emphasizes the protective function of packaging as its most important contribution to the environmental dimension of sustainable development. Contrary to this, consumers almost exclusively refer to the packaging material when it comes to their perceptions of the environmental impact of packaging. Paper-based packaging is strongly understood by the surveyed consumers to be environmentally advantageous, whereas plastic and metal are not. This study further indicates that a majority of the Swedish consumers surveyed are aware of their shortcomings in judging the environmental status of food packaging, indicating a need for guidance; otherwise, consumer choices can unintendedly counteract environmentally sustainable intentions. (Less)

159 citations