![]() 1 Box 1 describes the broad categories of data collection methods utilized in Qualitative health research. To ascertain emergent and iterative nature of Qualitative health research, the naturalistic methods as observation, in depth interviews and group discussions are employed as essential tools for data collection process. ![]() Research design is kept flexible and modified based on emerging new topics, research questions, and population subgroups or in case previously planned strategies fail to recruit desired number of participants or elicit necessary information. Here study design uses non- obtrusive, non-controlling and non-manipulative environment to ensure active involvement of the research participants are with trustworthy freedom to direct the data flow. Qualitative Research is Emergent, Flexible and Iterative The data collected are continuously analyzed and reviewed to develop and understand theories (theoretical sampling) to direct further data collection. quantitative research), but investigator/s intentionally track down themselves (purposive sampling) among the groups to obtain enriched data. The study participants are not chosen based on the defined strategy (c.f. Popularly known as ‘chain referral sampling’ – initial participants or informants are approached for their social networks to recruit other potential participants. Respondent driven or Snowball sampling – Considered as best strategy to recruit participants from “hidden population” – the groups that cannot be easily accessed by investigator because of prevailing stigma in society. Characteristics as gender, class, place of residence, occupation, literacy status are commonly used for selecting subgroups. Quota sampling – subgroups are specifically chosen to reflect their corresponding proportions in population. All efforts are made to describe sampling strategy to capture data from information rich resourceful individuals and are open to modification during the course of study. Study participants are selected based on pre-determined criteria according to need of study. Sampling to be Purposive and not Based on Statistical Generalizability This need to be taken into account along with demands of both funding agencies and stakeholder’s potential utilization of research findings derived through deductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning grow in the intuitive mind-set reinforced by literature review to understand the extent of problem described by quantitative research or the area left unexplained by other qualitative research to afford ground for conducting new qualitative research. Field of interest of researcher or research group or passion to solve any perennial problem or otherwise stakeholder’s request is generally the driving force. Qualitative health research helps to explore into explanations (how’s and why’s) of unexplained behavior, attitude and practices determining health outcomes or building onto partially or previously known quantitative data set (who, where, when, how many or how much) and/or assumptions. ![]() Plan Involving both Deductive and Inductive Reasoning So, we wish to apprise clinical, social science and public health researchers about EIGHT essentials of Qualitative health research, necessary to efficiently contribute in areas of previously unexplored domains of biomedical research. In the healthcare arena the great majority of the studies conducted by the researchers are quantitative in nature. to facilitate decision making among policy makers, practitioners and the participants themselves. Determinants of health and wellness and addressing issues as diverse yet important as health promotion, child survival, compliance, substance abuse, adolescent sexuality, domestic violence, and gender relations require designing multi-disciplinary based approaches taking into consideration aspects as sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, demography, medicine etc. Qualitative health research has long being realized as a cost effective tool in unravelling this tapestry determined by multiple factors. This enables understanding of how and why public health program intervention is not getting materialized or people are not making use of available health services - one of the key role of public health specialists and clinical researchers. Exploring and explaining behaviors, attitudes and perceptions which determine the health outcomes in light of social, economic and ethnic background are essential.
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