Qualitative Research
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1) Qualitative research follows a naturalistic paradigm which is based on the idea that reality is not predetermined, but is constructed by the participants in the research (Vishnevsky and Beanlands 2004, p.235). It aims at exploring the phenomenon in question by focusing on the individuals who experience it, assuming that it is possible to maximize the understanding of the phenomenon by minimizing the interpersonal distance between the researcher and the participant. Qualitative research in non-experimental, with no dependent or independent variables. The idea is to understand phenomena as a whole. Qualitative research is done "in the field" and requires ongoing data collection and analysis. The data collection and methodology are flexible, and allow for modifications throughout the research process, gathering subjective data that includes thoughts and perceptions of the participants and the researchers alike. Qualitative research does not choose a representative sample of the population, but only chooses as participants those who have rich experiences in the phenomena of concern, and the sample size is rarely predetermined, because researchers include as many participants as necessary to give an understanding of the phenomena (Vishnevsky and Beanlands, 2004, p.235). The researcher has to work as a collaborator and an equal in the research project. The most common qualitative research designs are ethnography, phenomenology, and grounded theory. Ethnographic resea
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1, p.904). Data analysis involves identifying, coding, and categorizing patterns found in the data. Thematic analysis can be done, and the researcher must decide whether to analyze the data from each participant independently, or to use cross-case analysis, and whether or not it will be done by hand or using available software programs.
Qualitative research is still fighting to be accepted alongside quantitative research (Dixon-Woods and Fitzpatrick 2001, 765-766). There is still a problem with its inclusion in systematic reviews because no one knows quite how to appraise its quality the way quantitative studies are rated, e.g. as CONSORT is used to rate clinical trials. Because it is subjective, and not objective, it is difficult to assess the quality of qualitative research. However, qualitative research methods are being used increasingly by health researchers, and the criteria for assessing the quality of qualitative research are changing from a natural science model to an interpretative social science model (Ezzy 2001, pp.294-297). Positivist methodologies like clinical trials and epidemiological surveys try to avoid the influence of subjective interpretation, and the methodology is considered biased if it is influ
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Approximate Word count = 1921
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)
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