QUALITATIVE METHODS FOR HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
Keywords:
Qualitative health research, grounded theory, qualitative methods, research designAbstract
The concept of quality in health care is multidimensional and complex, and some of the questions that relate to the quality of care or services may not be amenable to quantitative measurement. Qualitative research is widely used in social research, providing the opportunity to answer these kinds of questions in the form of "stand-alone" or independent research projects, and as an addition to quantitative research. This article aims to inform academic and non-academic healthcare researchers, and healthcare professionals regarding qualitative research, its significance, and applicability in the field of healthcare. Quantitative research focuses on testing the validity of hypotheses established by the researcher to identify the causal relationships of a specific phenomenon and discovering laws to predict that phenomenon. In contrast, qualitative research aims to discover and explore new hypotheses or theories based on a deep understanding of the meaning of a specific phenomenon. As such, qualitative research attempts to accept various environmental factors naturally. This article may contribute to the more active use of qualitative research in the field of medicine and healthcare, as well as to the correct interpretation of qualitative research.
References
Borimnejad, L., Yekta, Z.P., Nasrabadi, A,N. (2006). Lived experience of women suffering from Vitiligo: A phenomenological study. Qual Rep;11:335-41.
Bowling, A. (2002). Research Methods in Health: Investigating Health and Health Services. (2nd ed). Buckingham: Open University Press.
Bryman, A. (2001). Social Research Methods.Oxford: University Press.
Butler, A., Hall, H., Copnell, B. (2016). A guide to writing a qualitative systematic review protocol to enhance evidence-based practice in nursing and health care. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs;13:241-9.
Carter, S.M., Little, M. (2007). Justifying knowledge, justifying method, taking action: Epistemologies, methodologies, and methods in qualitative research. Qual Health Res;17:1316-28.
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design: Choosing among Five Approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (2005). The Sage handbook of qualitative research (3rd ed.). Sage Publications Ltd.
Isbister, W. (2000) Good communication is an essential part of the educational process. British Medical Journal; 320: 7251, 1729.
Mays, N., Pope, C. (2000). Qualitative research in healthcare: assessing quality in qualitative research. British Medical Journal; 320: 7226, 50-52.
Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/research.
Munhall, P. L. (2012). Nursing Research: A Qualitative Perspective. (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning, Sudbury.
Nieswiadomy, R.M. (2012). Foundations of Nursing Research. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries. Retrieved from: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/research_1?q=research, .2023
Polit, D.F., Beck, C.T. (2008). Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice. (8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 796 s.
Pope, C., van Royen, P., Baker R. (2002). Qualitative methods in research on healthcare quality. BMJ Quality & Safety;11:148-152.
Pyo, J., Lee, W., Choi, E.Y., Jang, S.G., Ock M. (2023) Qualitative Research in Healthcare: Necessity and Characteristics. J Prev Med Public Health. 56(1):12-20.
Pyo, J., Ock, M., Park, B. et al. (2021). Meaning and status of health-related quality of life recognized by medical professionals: a qualitative study. J Korean Med Sci;36(3):e20.
Ramani, S., Mann, K. (2016). Introducing medical educators to qualitative study design: Twelve tips from inception to completion. Med Teach;38:456-63.
Remshardt, M.A., Flowers, D.L. (2007). Practice matters. Understanding qualitative research. Am Nurse Today;2:20-2.
Rolfe, D.E., Ramsden, V.R., Banner, D. et al. (2018). Using qualitative Health Research methods to improve patient and public involvement and engagement in research. Res Involv Engagem 4, 49.
Tavakol, M., Sandars, J. (2014). Quantitative and qualitative methods in medical education research: AMEE Guide No 90: Part I. Med Teach;36:746-56.
Wafika, A., Fathieh, A., Inaam, K., Arwa, F. Zumot, Manar N. (2021) Experiences of nursing students under the unprecedented abrupt online learning format forced by the national curfew due to COVID-19: A qualitative research study. Nurse Education Today, Vol. 100; 104829.
