Showing papers on "Qualitative research published in 2014"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors formulate and define standards for reporting qualitative research while preserving the requisite flexibility for the broad spectrum of qualitative research, and present a set of guidelines for reporting such research.
Abstract: PurposeStandards for reporting exist for many types of quantitative research, but currently none exist for the broad spectrum of qualitative research. The purpose of the present study was to formulate and define standards for reporting qualitative research while preserving the requisite flexibility
4,506 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: Introduction Theory and Method in Social Research Ethics in social research Ethics in Social research Research Questions From Research Questions to Data Literature Searching and Reviewing - with Alis Oancea Qualitative Research Design Collecting Qualitative Data
Abstract: Introduction Theory and Method in Social Research Ethics in Social Research - Alis Oancea Research Questions From Research Questions to Data Literature Searching and Reviewing - with Alis Oancea Qualitative Research Design Collecting Qualitative Data The Analysis of Qualitative Data Quantitative Research Design Collecting Quantitative Data The Analysis of Quantitative Data The Internet and Research - Wayne McGowan Mixed Methods and Evaluation Research Writing
3,751 citations
Book•
11 Nov 2014
TL;DR: In what case do you like reading so much? What about the type of the qualitative research evaluation methods integrating theory and practice book? The needs to read? Well, everybody has their own reason why should read some books as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In what case do you like reading so much? What about the type of the qualitative research evaluation methods integrating theory and practice 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.
3,290 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effective ways to conduct in-depth, qualitative interviews for novice investigators by employing a step-by-step process for implementation is discussed. But, the authors focus on the qualitative research design of the interview protocol, which can be complicated depending upon the level of experience a researcher may have with a particular type of methodology.
Abstract: Qualitative research design can be complicated depending upon the level of experience a researcher may have with a particular type of methodology. As researchers, many aspire to grow and expand their knowledge and experiences with qualitative design in order to better utilize diversified research paradigms for future investigations. One of the more popular areas of interest in qualitative research design is that of the interview protocol. Interviews provide in-depth information pertaining to participants’ experiences and viewpoints of a particular topic. Often times, interviews are coupled with other forms of data collection in order to provide the researcher with a well-rounded collection of information for analyses. This paper explores the effective ways to conduct in-depth, qualitative interviews for novice investigators by employing a step-by-step process for implementation. Key Words: Informal Conversational Interview, General Interview Guide, OpenEnded Interviews
2,008 citations
Book•
30 May 2014
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a survey of the research process and ethical issues in the context of research in nursing practice, focusing on the following: knowledge, science and research, qualitative and quantitative research.
Abstract: 1. Research and Nursing Practice 2. Knowledge, Science and Research 3. Quantitative Research 4. Qualitative Research 5. Mixed Methods 6. The Research Process and Ethical Issues 7. Literature Reviews 8. Research and Theory 9. Research Questions and Operational Definitions 10. Research Designs 11. Experiments 12. Phenomenological Research 13. Grounded Theory 14. Ethnography 15. Samples and Sampling 16. Questionnaires 17. Interviews 18. Observations 19. Making Sense of Data 20. Evaluating Research Studies 21. Evidence-based Practice
1,633 citations
TL;DR: The field of health and wellbeing scholarship has a strong tradition of qualitative research* and rightly so, and rich and compelling insights into the real worlds, experiences, and perspectives of patients and health care professionals can be found through quantitative methods.
Abstract: The field of health and wellbeing scholarship has a strong tradition of qualitative research*and rightly so. Qualitative research offers rich and compelling insights into the real worlds, experiences, and perspectives of patients and health care professionals in ways that are completely different to, but also sometimes complimentary to, the knowledge we can obtain through quantitative methods. (Published: 16 October 2014) Citation: Int J Qualitative Stud Health Well-being 2014, 9 : 26152 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/qhw.v9.26152
1,590 citations
TL;DR: The article as discussed by the authors proposes a variety of methodological and topical areas, along with 75 research questions, that could deepen and broaden energy research, connected in part to all of the articles in this special (inaugural) issue of Energy Research & Social Science.
Abstract: Social science related disciplines, methods, concepts, and topics remain underutilized, and perhaps underappreciated, in contemporary energy studies research. To make this case, the article offers both quantitative and qualitative data. It begins with the quantitative part, providing a content analysis of 4444 research articles involving 9549 authors and 90,079 references (from a smaller subsample) published in three leading energy journals from 1999 to 2013. Within this vast sample, only 19.6 percent of authors reported training in any social science discipline, and less than 0.3 percent of authors reported disciplinary affiliations in areas such as history, psychology, anthropology, and communication studies. Only 12.6 percent of articles utilized qualitative methods and less than 5 percent of citations were to social science and humanities journals. The article then shifts to the qualitative part, where it proposes a variety of methodological and topical areas, along with 75 research questions, that could deepen and broaden energy research, connected in part to all of the articles in this special (inaugural) issue of Energy Research & Social Science (ERSS). Readers from all disciplines are encouraged to read it—especially the parts dealing with areas and concepts outside of their own areas of expertise.
1,066 citations
969 citations
TL;DR: The similarities and differences in grounded theory and qualitative content analysis have not been clarified in the literature (Priest, Roberts, & Woods, 2002), nor have they been consistently considered.
Abstract: Introduction Using an appropriate research method for inquiry is critical to successful research. Grounded theory and qualitative content analysis share similarities. Both are based on naturalistic inquiry that entails identifying themes and patterns and involves rigorous coding. They are both used to analyze and interpret qualitative data; however, the similarities and differences in grounded theory and qualitative content analysis have not been clarified in the literature (Priest, Roberts, & Woods, 2002), nor have they been consistently considered. To illustrate, both have been considered equivalent approaches to interpret qualitative data (e.g., Priest et al., 2002). Grounded theory was treated as a research methodology, and content analysis as a method (e.g., Crotty, 2003); furthermore, grounded theory was considered a theoretical framework and content analysis a research method of textual data analysis (e.g., Patton, 2002). Qualitative content analysis was considered a strategy for the analysis of qualitative descriptive studies (Sandelowski, 2000) and a technique with overtones of other research methods, such as ethnographic and grounded theory (Altheide, 1987). Qualitative content analysis was unknown as a research method until recently, especially in English-speaking countries, because of the dominance of quantitative content analysis (Schreier, 2012). Moreover, a researcher's approach purportedly following grounded theory actually seems closer to qualitative content analysis or other methods (Sandelowski & Barroso, 2003; Suddaby, 2006). Sandelowski and Barroso (2003) cited the discrepancy between "method claims and the actual use of methods" (p. 905) in research papers. Novice researchers, especially students who want to conduct qualitative research, are often confused by the characteristics of the two as result of the lack of comparative references. Some researchers who stated they had used grounded theory actually used qualitative content analysis, which incorporates some procedures of grounded theory, such as open coding or memoing (Sandelowski & Barroso, 2003). Thus, the purpose of this paper is to clarify ambiguities about the characteristics of grounded theory and qualitative content analysis. Using our own research as examples, we have discussed the similarities and differences in the two in the following six areas: a) background and philosophical basis, b) unique characteristics of each method, c) goals and rationale of each method, d) data analysis process, e) outcomes of the research, and f) evaluation of trustworthiness of research. We have also discussed the strengths and weaknesses of each. Through this paper, we expect to provide knowledge that can assist novice researchers in the selection of appropriate research methods for their inquiries. Background and Philosophical Basis Grounded Theory The term grounded theory was introduced in The Discovery of Grounded Theory (1967) by Glaser and Strauss as "the discovery of theory from data--systematically obtained and analyzed in social research" (p. 1). Instead of verification of theories, they introduced a research method to arrive at a "theory suited to its supposed uses" contrasting with a "theory generated by logical deduction from a priori assumptions" (p. 3). According to Strauss and Corbin (1994) it is "a general methodology, a way of thinking about and conceptualizing data" (p. 275). The Grounded Theory Institute, run by Glaser, one of the founders of grounded theory, defined it as follows: Grounded Theory is an inductive methodology. Although many call Grounded Theory a qualitative method, it is not. It is a general method. It is the systematic generation of theory from systematic research. It is a set of rigorous research procedures leading to the emergence of conceptual categories. …
953 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors point out that unless research is adequately reported, the time and resources invested in the conduct of research is wasted, and the high amount of waste also warrants future investment in the monitoring of and research into reporting of research, and active implementation of the findings to ensure that research reports better address the needs of the range of research users.
TL;DR: In order to have diverse opinions and views, qualitative findings need to be supplemented with quantitative results and these research methodologies are considered to be complementary to each each other rather than incompatible to each other.
Abstract: Address for correspondence: Dr. Shazia Jamshed, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Pahang, Malaysia. E‐mail: pharmacist1992@live.com Buckley and Chiang define research methodology as “a strategy or architectural design by which the researcher maps out an approach to problem‐finding or problem‐solving.”[1] According to Crotty, research methodology is a comprehensive strategy ‘that silhouettes our choice and use of specific methods relating them to the anticipated outcomes,[2] but the choice of research methodology is based upon the type and features of the research problem.[3] According to Johnson et al. mixed method research is “a class of research where the researcher mixes or combines quantitative and qualitative research techniques, methods, approaches, theories and or language into a single study.[4] In order to have diverse opinions and views, qualitative findings need to be supplemented with quantitative results.[5] Therefore, these research methodologies are considered to be complementary to each other rather than incompatible to each other.[6]
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide an overview of factors influencing the acceptance of electronic technologies that support aging in place by community-dwelling older adults, including concerns regarding technology, high cost, privacy implications and usability factors; expected benefits of technology (e.g., increased safety and perceived usefulness); need for technology, perceived need and subjective health status); alternatives to technology; social influence, influence of family, friends and professional caregivers; and characteristics of older adults.
01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: The scope and contribution of qualitative research have been discussed in this paper, with a focus on the role of qualitative data in the development of Qualitative research, including processing, coding, and interrogating data.
Abstract: PART ONE: INTRODUCTION The Scope and Contribution of Qualitative Research Qualitative Traditions: Epistemology and Ontology Research Design Ethics PART TWO: GENERATING DATA Interviews Focus Groups Ethnography Other Sources of Qualitative Data PART THREE: COMPLEX RESEARCH DESIGNS IN PRACTICE Mixing Methods Action Research PART FOUR: ANALYZING AND PRESENTING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Analysis: Processing, Coding, and Interrogating Data Theorizing in Qualitative Analysis Presenting and Writing-up Qualitative Research
01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: Post-implementation research on technology acceptance by community-dwelling older adults is scarce and most of the factors in this review have not been tested by using quantitative methods, so further research is needed to determine if and how the factors are interrelated, and how they relate to existing models of technology acceptance.
Abstract: Purpose: To provide an overview of factors influencing the acceptance of electronic tech-nologies that support aging in place by community-dwelling older adults. Since technologyacceptance factors fluctuate over time, a distinction was made between factors in the pre-implementation stage and factors in the post-implementation stage.
Methods: A systematic review of mixed studies. Seven major scientific databases (includingMEDLINE, Scopus and CINAHL) were searched. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) originaland peer-reviewed research, (2) qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods research, (3)research in which participants are community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or older,and (4) research aimed at investigating factors that influence the intention to use or theactual use of electronic technology for aging in place. Three researchers each read the articlesand extracted factors.
Results: Sixteen out of 2841 articles were included. Most articles investigated acceptance oftechnology that enhances safety or provides social interaction. The majority of data wasbased on qualitative research investigating factors in the pre-implementation stage. Accep-tance in this stage is influenced by 27 factors, divided into six themes: concerns regardingtechnology (e.g., high cost, privacy implications and usability factors); expected benefits oftechnology (e.g., increased safety and perceived usefulness); need for technology (e.g., per-ceived need and subjective health status); alternatives to technology (e.g., help by family orspouse), social influence (e.g., influence of family, friends and professional caregivers); andcharacteristics of older adults (e.g., desire to age in place). When comparing these results to qualitative results on post-implementation acceptance, our analysis showed that some factors are persistent while new factors also emerge. Quantitative results showed that a small number of variables have a significant influence in the pre-implementation stage. Fourteen out of the sixteen included articles did not use an existing technology acceptance framework or model.
Conclusions: Acceptance of technology in the pre-implementation stage is influenced by multiple factors. However, post-implementation research on technology acceptance by community-dwelling older adults is scarce and most of the factors in this review have not been tested by using quantitative methods. Further research is needed to determine if and how the factors in this review are interrelated, and how they relate to existing models of technology acceptance.
TL;DR: Instrumentation rigor and bias management are major challenges for qualitative researchers employing interviewing as a data generation method in their studies as discussed by the authors, and a usual procedure for testing the quality of an interview protocol and for identifying potential researcher biases is the pilot study in which investigators try out their proposed methods to see if the planned procedures perform as envisioned by the researcher.
Abstract: Instrumentation rigor and bias management are major challenges for qualitative researchers employing interviewing as a data generation method in their studies. A usual procedure for testing the quality of an interview protocol and for identifying potential researcher biases is the pilot study in which investigators try out their proposed methods to see if the planned procedures perform as envisioned by the researcher. Sometimes piloting is not practical or possible so an “interviewing the investigator” technique can serve as a useful first step to create interview protocols that help to generate the information proposed and to assess potential researcher biases especially if the investigator has a strong affinity for the participants being studied or is a member of the population itself. Key Words: Interviewing, Instrumentation, Researcher Bias, and Qualitative Research
TL;DR: Qualitative evidence related to the facilitators and barriers to delivering at health facilities in low- and middle-income countries are synthesized to provide a useful framework for better understanding how various factors influence the decision-making process and the ultimate location of delivery at a facility or elsewhere.
Abstract: High-quality obstetric delivery in a health facility reduces maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. This systematic review synthesizes qualitative evidence related to the facilitators and barriers to delivering at health facilities in low- and middle-income countries. We aim to provide a useful framework for better understanding how various factors influence the decision-making process and the ultimate location of delivery at a facility or elsewhere. We conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis using a thematic analysis. Searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL and gray literature databases. Study quality was evaluated using the CASP checklist. The confidence in the findings was assessed using the CERQual method. Thirty-four studies from 17 countries were included. Findings were organized under four broad themes: (1) perceptions of pregnancy and childbirth; (2) influence of sociocultural context and care experiences; (3) resource availability and access; (4) perceptions of quality of care. Key barriers to facility-based delivery include traditional and familial influences, distance to the facility, cost of delivery, and low perceived quality of care and fear of discrimination during facility-based delivery. The emphasis placed on increasing facility-based deliveries by public health entities has led women and their families to believe that childbirth has become medicalized and dehumanized. When faced with the prospect of facility birth, women in low- and middle-income countries may fear various undesirable procedures, and may prefer to deliver at home with a traditional birth attendant. Given the abundant reports of disrespectful and abusive obstetric care highlighted by this synthesis, future research should focus on achieving respectful, non-abusive, and high-quality obstetric care for all women. Funding for this project was provided by The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide guidelines for choosing the case study design, defining the unit of analysis, selecting cases (sampling), collecting information, analysing information, presenting results and ensuring validity and reliability in research findings.
TL;DR: The authors provided a reflection on the role of positionality in research, following the completion of a qualitative research project and highlighted the potential challenges and opportunities of being cognizant of one's positionality.
Abstract: Through this article, the author provides a reflection on the role of positionality in research, following the completion of a qualitative research project. Through the research project, the White researcher sought to explore the ways in which students of color experience a predominantly White university. Drawing on literature and findings from the research project, the author highlights potential challenges and opportunities of being cognizant of one’s positionality. These reflections illustrate the significance of positionality and serve as a reminder of its potential effects on the research process, as well as on participants and the researcher. The manuscript concludes with recommendations for researchers to carefully consider the potential influence of their positionality in any research setting. Keywords: Positionality, Research Process, Qualitative, Insider/Outsider
TL;DR: The development and use of the ConQual approach will assist users of qualitative systematic reviews to establish confidence in the evidence produced in these types of reviews and can serve as a practical tool to assist in decision making.
Abstract: The importance of findings derived from syntheses of qualitative research has been increasingly acknowledged. Findings that arise from qualitative syntheses inform questions of practice and policy in their own right and are commonly used to complement findings from quantitative research syntheses. The GRADE approach has been widely adopted by international organisations to rate the quality and confidence of the findings of quantitative systematic reviews. To date, there has been no widely accepted corresponding approach to assist health care professionals and policy makers in establishing confidence in the synthesised findings of qualitative systematic reviews. A methodological group was formed develop a process to assess the confidence in synthesised qualitative research findings and develop a Summary of Findings tables for meta-aggregative qualitative systematic reviews. Dependability and credibility are two elements considered by the methodological group to influence the confidence of qualitative synthesised findings. A set of critical appraisal questions are proposed to establish dependability, whilst credibility can be ranked according to the goodness of fit between the author’s interpretation and the original data. By following the processes outlined in this article, an overall ranking can be assigned to rate the confidence of synthesised qualitative findings, a system we have labelled ConQual. The development and use of the ConQual approach will assist users of qualitative systematic reviews to establish confidence in the evidence produced in these types of reviews and can serve as a practical tool to assist in decision making.
TL;DR: Improved reporting of case studies by qualitative researchers will advance the methodology for the benefit of researchers and practitioners.
Abstract: Despite on-going debate about credibility, and reported limitations in comparison to other approaches, case study is an increasingly popular approach among qualitative researchers. We critically analysed the methodological descriptions of published case studies. Three high-impact qualitative methods journals were searched to locate case studies published in the past 5 years; 34 were selected for analysis. Articles were categorized as health and health services (n=12), social sciences and anthropology (n=7), or methods (n=15) case studies. The articles were reviewed using an adapted version of established criteria to determine whether adequate methodological justification was present, and if study aims, methods, and reported findings were consistent with a qualitative case study approach. Findings were grouped into five themes outlining key methodological issues: case study methodology or method, case of something particular and case selection, contextually bound case study, researcher and case interactions and triangulation, and study design inconsistent with methodology reported. Improved reporting of case studies by qualitative researchers will advance the methodology for the benefit of researchers and practitioners.
TL;DR: The authors define generic qualitative approaches, including the descriptive qualitative approach and interpretive description subcategories, and outline key critiques of generic studies present in the literature, describes the benefits of generic approaches, and suggests ways in which the issues raised in critiques might be mediated.
Abstract: Generic qualitative research studies are those that refuse to claim allegiance to a single established methodology. There has been significant debate in the qualitative literature regarding the extent to which rigour can be preserved outside of the guidelines of an established methodology. This article offers a starting place for researchers interested in entering the literature on generic qualitative approaches and offers some guidance to help researchers appreciate the advantages of using a generic approach and navigate the potential pitfalls. Given that generic approaches are, by definition, less defined and established, this article begins by defining generic qualitative approaches, including the descriptive qualitative approach and interpretive description subcategories. It then outlines key critiques of generic studies present in the literature, describes the benefits of generic approaches, and suggests ways in which the issues raised in critiques might be mediated.
TL;DR: This paper used NVivo and Leximancer to analyse the same set of data derived from interviews with sport management experts on high performance sport to showcase the differences in findings depending on the type of software used.
Abstract: As the use and availability of qualitative software analysis tools increase, so does ambiguity regarding the choice of the most appropriate software in sport management research. This paper uses NVivo and Leximancer to analyse the same set of data derived from interviews with sport management experts on high performance sport to showcase the differences in findings depending on the type of software used. The findings alert sport management and social science researchers to the importance of closely examining the choice of software for qualitative data analysis. Researchers may base their decision on aspects such as the type and size of data set, their competence and skills in data interpretation and the level of engagement with data analysis they plan on undertaking. This paper discusses the implications for researchers in the sport management field using these tools for data analysis and highlights the value that software can add to the research effort.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore some of the possible methodological insights and challenges that may arise from insider research, and suggest several techniques and tools that may be utilized to aid in, rather than hinder, the process of the telling and sharing of participants' stories.
Abstract: As qualitative researchers, what stories we are told, how they are relayed to us, and the narratives that we form and share with others are inevitably influenced by our position and experiences as a researcher in relation to our participants. This is particularly true for insider research, which is concerned with the study of one’s own social group or society. This paper explores some of the possible methodological insights and challenges that may arise from insider research, and suggests several techniques and tools that may be utilized to aid in, rather than hinder, the process of the telling and sharing of participants’ stories. Such strategies may also be used to minimize ethical implications, avoid potential bias and increase the trustworthiness of the data gathered. This analysis draws on the author’s own experiences as an insider researcher and principal investigator on a research project that employed qualitative methodologies.
TL;DR: Three common methodologies are described: ethnography, grounded theory, and phenomenology, which seek to understand the meaning of experience in a study sample and enhance the validity of the data.
Abstract: Qualitative research methods are a robust tool for chaplaincy research questions. Similar to much of chaplaincy clinical care, qualitative research generally works with written texts, often transcriptions of individual interviews or focus group conversations and seeks to understand the meaning of experience in a study sample. This article describes three common methodologies: ethnography, grounded theory, and phenomenology. Issues to consider relating to the study sample, design, and analysis are discussed. Enhancing the validity of the data, as well reliability and ethical issues in qualitative research are described. Qualitative research is an accessible way for chaplains to contribute new knowledge about the sacred dimension of people's lived experience.
TL;DR: This Guide has been designed to provide people who are interested in using focus groups with the information and tools to organize, conduct, analyze and publish sound focus group research within a broader understanding of the background and theoretical grounding of the focus group method.
Abstract: Qualitative research methodology has become an established part of the medical education research field. A very popular datacollection technique used in qualitative research is the ‘‘focus group’’. Focus groups in this Guide are defined as ‘‘ ... group discussions organized to explore a specific set of issues ... The group is focused in the sense that it involves some kind of collective activity ... crucially, focus groups are distinguished from the broader category of group interview by the explicit use of the group interaction as research data’’ (Kitzinger 1994, p. 103). This Guide has been designed to provide people who are interested in using focus groups with the information and tools to organize, conduct, analyze and publish sound focus group research within a broader understanding of the background and theoretical grounding of the focus group method. The Guide is organized as follows: Firstly, to describe the evolution of the focus group in the social sciences research domain. Secondly, to describe the paradigmatic fit of focus groups within qualitative research approaches in the field of medical education. After defining, the nature of focus groups and when, and when not, to use them, the Guide takes on a more practical approach, taking the reader through the various steps that need to be taken in conducting effective focus group research. Finally, the Guide finishes with practical hints towards writing up a focus group study for publication.
TL;DR: This paper focuses on the strengths of using the CSR methodology, which enables real-life settings to be studied systematically and rigorously, offering examples of practice in nursing and education.
Abstract: AIM: To describe how case study research (CSR) was used inductively as an all-encompassing theoretical framework to examine learning in the workplace. BACKGROUND: Case study research is a method with strong philosophical underpinnings which provides a framework for exploratory research in real-life settings ( Yin 2009 ). DATA SOURCES: A study of five students' experiences of learning in healthcare environments to explore real-life contexts over the course of two years. The study was rich with empirical data, offering a pragmatic framework for learning in the workplace. REVIEW METHODS: Observations, interviews and documents were used. DISCUSSION: As a result of using CSR, the findings were analysed systematically and rigorously. Using multiple methods verified data and strengthened the significance of the findings. CONCLUSIONS: This paper focuses on the strengths of using the CSR methodology. CSR embraces qualitative research methods in a rigorous and systematic manner. CSR has been applied to one example of research, addressing each step of the research protocol to use CSR to its full potential. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE/RESEARCH: CSR enables real-life settings to be studied systematically and rigorously, offering examples of practice in nursing and education.