What is qualitative research?
Qualitative research is a term that covers a range of data collection methods, for example interviews, focus groups, observation, recordings (audio or video) and documents. It is often used to explore in-depth a problem or phenomenon, to gain a deeper understanding and greater insight.
Why you may want to include qualitative research methods
- to develop, test and evaluate a complex intervention;
- to support, enhance and explain the findings from quantitative approaches, for example in a feasibility, pilot or randomised controlled trial;
- to develop and test data collection tools, such as outcome measures or questionnaires;
- to conduct exploratory work, for example, to gain a greater understanding of an issue before embarking on a larger study.
What expertise can a qualitative adviser offer?
- guidance on whether qualitative research is appropriate and useful for your research project;
- explain how qualitative research might fit alongside other approaches;
- advice about the appropriate research design, methods, potential ethical issues and the resources you would need to undertake qualitative research;
- suggest key qualitative research literature to support your application.
What to think about before meeting with a qualitative adviser
- whether your research question, or elements within it, could be answered using qualitative research methods;
- would the addition of a qualitative research enhance and improve.
Useful Resources
Research Design Service Yorkshire and Humber ‘Introduction-to-qualitative-research-2009’
Barbour R (2001) ‘Checklists for improving rigour in qualitative research: A case of the tail wagging the dog?’ British Medical Journal 322, 1115-7.
Finlay L (2006) ‘”Rigour”, “Ethical integrity” or ‘”Artistry”? Reflexively reviewing criteria for evaluating qualitative research’ British Journal of Occupational Therapy 69 (7) 319-26,
Pope C and Mays N (eds) 2006 Qualitative Research in Health Care (3rd edn) London: BMJ books.