Qualitative Research in the Field of Health Care

This week is our last blog for the semester and we are focusing on qualitative research methods. Qualitative research methods have become more conventional in the field of health care research. When you think of qualitative research you may think of exploratory research. Qualitative methods for research can be gauged by two conditions — validity and relevance. Debates about qualitative vs. quantitative research methods need to be assessed so they are held up to the same quality standards. Antirealists claim that qualitative research follows a typical hypothesis which cannot necessarily follow with measures of validity and generalizability.

Relativist state that different criteria will depend on the topic or purpose of the research. They believe there should quality in qualitative research, a few are — novelty of the claims from theory, credibility to readers and findings transferable to other settings. With qualitative research, there needs to be realism. Research processes can offer different viewpoints when looking at criteria for validity and relevance. Improving on validity necessitates judgement for both the reader and the researcher.

We can look at some of these ways for assessing qualitative research. Triangulation can show results of two methods or sources of data collected (i.e. observations and interviews). This test of validity is debatable as a method since weaknesses are balanced by strengths from another method. Respondent validation two sets of techniques are compared between the research subjects and researcher. This is also thought of as error reduction. Reflexivity deals with the sensitivity of the research data collected and how the researcher reports for biases and credibility. Making sure the research design is combining a series of perspectives is important.

Relevant research happens when a design adds to the current knowledge base. Qualitative research needs to have quality research done and researchers can report the quality in their research (Mays, 2000). Methods of qualitative research have benefited health care, however, it is not easy or quick (Mays, 2000). Qualitative research is receiving more recognition in health care research and has much to offer.

References:

Mays, N. and Pope, C. (2000). Qualitative research in health care — Assessing quality in qualitative research.