Qualitative Methods in Systemic Sclerosis Research

Abstract

Qualitative research methods are important tools that are frequently underused in medical research, particularly in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) research. In this issue of The Journal , Nakayama, et al report a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies of patients’ perspectives and experiences living with SSc1. This editorial serves as a brief introduction to qualitative research, addressing the questions: What is it? How is it used? How is it different from quantitative research? What are key indicators of its rigor? Quantitative research is a form of study design that uses statistical methods or other means of quantification to address a research question. It involves deductive approaches and hypothesis testing to approximate the truth and handling of uncertainty2. Quantitative methods generally evaluate participants in settings removed from the natural environment (e.g., randomized controlled trials) and attempts are made to control for confounding factors. In contrast, qualitative research is a form of study design that uses systematic and reproducible methods to explore experiences, behaviors, and beliefs about a concept or phenomenon. Qualitative research commonly involves interpretative forms of analysis in which the unit of study is often a participant’s experienced reality3. Results are a representation of reality rather than an approximation of the truth (see Table 1). View this table: Table 1. Comparison of quantitative and qualitative methods. Qualitative methods may be preferable if one wishes to develop a new theory, explore an unknown phenomenon, evaluate the meaning of a concept, or understand a phenomenon. Qualitative research can provide more detailed descriptions and nuanced understanding of a concept, in contrast to a “cause and effect” relationship. A qualitative approach may facilitate a more in-depth understanding of quantitative results, answering “what … Address correspondence to Dr. S.R. Johnson, Division of Rheumatology, Ground Floor, East Wing, Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst St., Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada. E-mail: Sindhu.Johnson{at}uhn.on.ca