Qualitative research in health design.

Abstract

Just as all facility designs are not the same, research designs also differ depending on the purpose of the study, availability of previous evidence on a topic, and the desired outcome of the data. Unfortunately, qualitative research is frequently misunderstood, because those not familiar with the research method believe it to be of a lesser quality than quantitative study design, considering that sample size, data analysis methods, and even goals for generalizability are different than quantitative research. Qualitative research is a very robust and important research method to be used when little information exists about a subject, there are few instruments to measure the phenomena of interest, or when the research really aims to understand the participants' perspective.Qualitative research can be defined as a form of social inquiry that aims to understand how people interpret the environment in which they live, work, or receive care (Atkinson, Coffey, & Delamont, 2001). A variety of approaches exist in qualitative research and many share the same purpose-to comprehend, describe, and interpret different phenomena as perceived by individuals, groups, and cultures. Researchers in different fields, including ethnography, sociology, education, nursing, and marketing, regularly use qualitative approaches to explore how people understand and interact with the social world. Qualitative approaches are useful in the exploration of change or conflict and because of its versatility, individuals from various professions can collaborate on conducting qualitative research (Creswell, 2009). Although different types of qualitative research share common characteristics, the process by which it is approached can depend on a variety of contextual factors. In health design, qualitative research can serve as a valuable method to explore how healthcare environments can be enhanced to improve outcomes in those receiving and providing care and to generate new knowledge about evidence-based healthcare design. This article will focus on the main features of qualitative research, usefulness in health design, research considerations, data collection, research approaches/methods in health design, qualitative data analysis, and methods to establish trustworthiness in qualitative research.Main Features of Qualitative ResearchThere are several unifying features of qualitative research studies focusing on data collection and data analysis. Most qualitative research has the following characteristics:* The theoretical framework for qualitative research is not predetermined, but is deduced from the qualitative data.* Researchers must be sensitive to the context of the research, because the data and findings are context-specific and may or may not have any generalizability to other settings or context.* Qualitative researchers often immerse themselves in the environment and with individuals whose perspectives and ideas they wish to explore.* Researchers narrow in on the emic perspective the viewpoint of the participants involved their meaning, and interpretations.* Qualitative researchers describe, analyze, and interpret using thick description to further explore the participants' perspectives.* The researcher is the main instrument in the research where reflexivity provides the researcher's explicit stance of the research.These unifying features will be described in more detail in the following sections in order to enhance the reader's understanding of qualitative research design, methods, and outcomes.The Primacy of DataQualitative researchers' and participants' interactions lead to an understanding of experiences and generation of data. The data itself has primacy and can uncover new theoretical ideas, help alter existing theories, or reveal the importance of a certain phenomenon. Consequently the research methods cannot be predetermined before beginning qualitative research, as with other types or research where ideas or assumptions can lead to hypothesis testing. …