What is qualitative research?

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Key Points

• Qualitative research seeks to understand an experience from the perspective of those who experience it, often through interviews or participant observations.
• There are many types of qualitative research, including ethnography, Grounded Theory, phenomenology, narrative inquiry, and qualitative descriptive. These approaches come from an interpretive paradigm, which aims to understand (or interpret) the world through the subjective experience of individuals. 
• Qualitative research is exploratory and descriptive; it focuses on words/experiences versus numbers or trying to quantify something. 
• Qualitative research focuses on meaning, not measurement.

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Helpful Links, Videos and Online Courses

Overview

• Fundamentals of Qualitative Research Methods:  What is Qualitative Research?
  • A nice introduction to qualitative research using clinical examples.
• Erlingsson, C. & Brysiewicz, P. (2013).  Orientation among multiple truths:  An introduction to qualitative research.  African Journal of Emergency Medicine, 3(2): 92-99.

Videos

• A clear and thorough overview of qualitative research. 
• Two short videos that discuss health-related journal articles and highlight differences between qualitative and quantitative research.
• This video discusses the basic differences between qualitative and quantitative research.

Online Courses

• This is a 6-week introductory Qualitative Research Design Coursera course focused on public health-related qualitative research.
  • Note: You can audit the course for free (click ‘sign-up/enroll’ and then click the ‘audit course’ button); there is also a payment option for more access to materials and to earn a certificate.

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Relevant Publications

• Donalek, J. & Soldwisch, S. (2004).  De–mystifying nursing research:  An introduction to qualitative research methods.  Urologic Nursing, 24(4): 354-6.
• This American Psychological Association website provides helpful Journal Article Reporting Standards for different types of research, including Qualitative Research.  

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What are case reports and why are they important?

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Key Points

• Case reports are a type of scientific report that allows researchers to describe scientific observations that are missed or undetectable in clinical trials.
• Case reports can include commentaries and anecdotes about unusual clinical conditions, or circumstances that aren’t measured in a formal clinical trial.

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Helpful Links, Videos and Online Courses

Overview

• Tips for writing a case report
  • This article discusses the essential components of a case report, with useful guidelines and tips for novice authors.

Videos

• Introduction to writing case report
  • This is a comprehensive, 42-minute video on a writing case report, including cases that are appropriate for this format versus those that are not.
• Writing case report for use in scientific research paper
  • This shorter (9-minute) video talks about the basics of a case report on how to write case report, and five common findings that occasion a case report.

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Relevant Publications

• Alsaywid, B. S., & Abdulhaq, N. M. (2019). Guideline on writing a case report. Urology Annals, 11(2),126–131.
  • The article provides guidance to novice authors to improve the quality of their case reporting.

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What is ethnographic research and why is it important?

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Key Points

• Ethnography is a term used for the study of people and their culture and customs.
• Most ethnographic studies are conducted in the field and ethnographers try to observe people without interfering, so that they do not influence the results of the study.
• There are many different ethical concerns and guidelines to consider and follow during ethnographic studies.

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Helpful Links, Videos and Online Courses

Overview

• Ethnography, Observational Research, and Narrative Inquiry
  • Paper was written by a team from Colorado State University explaining different types of observational research and the qualities of each.
• Field Research
  • Defines the different types of qualitative research and also includes the pros and cons of each.

Videos

• Introduction to Ethnographic Methods
  • Five-minute overview of the common themes within contemporary ethnographic research.
• Ethnographic Research
  • Short, three-minute video explaining how ethnographic research can be applied to developing a product.

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