Qualitative Health Research Research Articles

The Social Functionality of Humor in Group-Based Research.

Citizens’ juries provide deliberative fora within which members of the public can debate complex policy issues. In this article, we reflect on our experience of undertaking three citizens’ juries addressing health inequalities, to explore the positive and facilitative role that humor can play within group-based research focusing on sensitive health policy issues. We demonstrate how both participants and researchers engaged in the production of humor in ways which troubled prevailing power dynamics and facilitated positive relationships. We conclude by recommending that researchers, particularly health policy researchers and those pursuing the kind of lengthy group-based fora associated with deliberative research, consider the positive role humor can play when engaged reflexively. In so doing, we make a major contribution to extant literature on both deliberative fora (which is yet to consider humor’s facilitative capacities) and the role of humor in qualitative (health) research (which rarely explores researcher complicity in humor production).

PESQUISA QUALITATIVA NA SAÚDE BUCAL COLETIVA: UMA ANÁLISE BIBLIOMÉTRICA

Introdução: Pesquisas qualitativas são utilizadas quando o objeto de pesquisa exige respostas que não se traduzem em números, sendo estruturada na experiência, na vivência, no senso comum e na ação. Busca a compreensão subjetiva das pessoas a respeito de sua vida diária. Objetivo: Analisar a produção científica em relação à pesquisa qualitativa na saúde bucal coletiva. Metodologia: Uma análise bibliométrica foi conduzida na base de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde com descritores controlados. Resultados: Foram avaliados 55 artigos publicados entre 1998-2013, observando-se um crescimento dessas publicações de 1998-2009 e desde então uma redução até 2013. O primeiro autor, em mais da metade dos artigos, era do Brasil, seguido pelo Reino Unido, Canadá e EUA. Esses autores estavam vinculados principalmente a instituições públicas. Os artigos, em sua maioria, foram publicados em periódicos de saúde pública e odontologia, incluindo dentistas, profissionais da saúde, pacientes/usuários de serviços de saúde e estudantes de odontologia, utilizando a técnica da entrevista. Destacam-se as pesquisas qualitativas com temáticas voltadas à Política de Saúde Bucal, Estratégia de Saúde da Família e Educação em Odontologia. A análise temática e a análise de conteúdo foram os métodos de interpretação mais utilizados nos estudos. Conclusão: Desafios importantes devem ser superados para a consolidação da pesquisa qualitativa na saúde bucal coletiva, o que inclui um maior número de artigos publicados, a apresentação dos aspectos éticos, financiamento para a realização das pesquisas qualitativa, vinculação com trabalhos acadêmicos e definição teórico-conceitual com o necessário fundamento epistemológico.

Fragilidade na governança regional durante implementação da Rede de Urgência e Emergência em Região Metropolitana

RESUMO Este artigo analisa a implementação da Rede de Urgência e Emergências, seus arranjos interfederativos regionais de pactuação e gestão de políticas, na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, no período de 2011-2016. Considera-se implementação como um processo dinâmico da política, com interação, negociação e aprendizagem permanentes. Este é um estudo de caso, baseado na pesquisa qualitativa em saúde e nos estudos de avaliação de implementação de políticas, com 4 níveis de análise imbricados: desenho de implementação; caracterização de atores de implementação; caracterização de arranjos interfederativos regionais e contenciosos e desafios interfederativos não superados. Os dados foram obtidos em documentos públicos das instâncias de pactuação e coordenação da política e das organizações e dos atores participantes. Baseado nas reflexões de poder em políticas de saúde de Testa e no método Paideia de gestão de coletivos, analisa-se como os resultados revelam a insuficiência dos instrumentos políticos e dos arranjos de coordenação desenvolvidos pela implementação da Rede de Urgência e Emergência. Assim, discutem-se a fragilidade da governança regional, a necessidade de fortalecer as regiões de saúde como unidade territorial, sua relação com as Redes de Atenção à Saúde e as propostas de arranjos regionais e interfederativos para o desenvolvimento do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS).

Exploring the visual appeal of food guide graphics

PurposeFood guides are graphic representations of food-based dietary guidelines that support national health policies and programming. They are visual aids simplifying complex nutritional messaging for the public. While pyramid and circle formats are the most common shapes in use worldwide, the dinner plate format is increasing in use due to its perceived effectiveness. However, research examining visual attributes of food guide graphics, and the dinner plate model specifically, is limited. The purpose of this paper is to systematically compare and analyse key visual attributes of plate food guide graphics (across multiple examples) to assess their potential for effective visual communication of nutrition messaging.Design/methodology/approachThis study engages in a qualitative analysis of compositional elements of food guide graphics. Data collection and analysis are grounded in the methods of compositional interpretation, which includes a qualitative, descriptive approach to establishing a thematic survey of the data.FindingsUnique visual attributes of the plate food guide (including image content, spatial organisation and expressive content) present challenges in the communication of key nutritional messaging regarding proportionality, moderation and overall usability.Practical implicationsA better understanding of the visual attributes of the plate food guide model will contribute to improved design and development of this key public health tool by researchers, educators and health practitioners. Additionally, the examination of visual attributes has implications for the study of food guide understanding and use.Originality/valueThis study highlights the need for critical visual skills in qualitative health research, and to address gaps in health education more broadly.

Appraising Qualitative Research for Evidence Syntheses: A Compendium of Quality Appraisal Tools.

As the movement toward evidence-based health policy continues to emphasize the importance of including patient and public perspectives, syntheses of qualitative health research are becoming more common. In response to the focus on independent assessments of rigor in these knowledge products, over 100 appraisal tools for assessing the quality of qualitative research have been developed. The variety of appraisal tools exhibit diverse methods and purposes, reflecting the lack of consensus as to what constitutes appropriate quality criteria for qualitative research. It is a daunting task for those without deep familiarity of the field to choose the best appraisal tool for their purpose. This article provides a description of the structure, content, and objectives of existing appraisal tools for those wanting to evaluate primary qualitative research for a qualitative evidence synthesis. We then discuss common features of appraisal tools and examine their implications for evidence synthesis.

Corrigendum.

Boychuk, C., Lysaght, R., Stuart, H., Career Decision-Making Processes of Young Adults With First-Episode Psychosis. Qualitative Health Research, 28, 1016-1031. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732318761864 The (Smith & Milson 2011) reference has inadvertently been removed from the following sentence: "Career development theories provide foundations that conceptualize career development processes and contextual influences that affect career progress." The correct citation of the reference is as follows: "Career development theories provide foundations that conceptualize career development processes and contextual influences that affect career progress (Smith & Milson 2011)."

Completeness of reporting in Indian qualitative public health research: a systematic review of 20 years of literature.

This study reviewed the completeness of reporting in Indian qualitative public health research (QPHR) studies using the 'Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research' (COREQ) checklist. Search results from five electronic databases were screened by two independent reviewers. We included English-language, primary QPHR studies from India, which were assessed for their compliance with the COREQ checklist. Each COREQ item was noted as either reported or unreported. Descriptive statistics for the number of COREQ items reported by each study, and the number of studies that reported each COREQ item were reported, as were the items reported in each year, and in pre- and post-COREQ time periods. Of 537 citations, 246 articles were included. Trends demonstrated an increasing number of Indian QPHR studies being published annually, and an overall increase in reporting completeness since 1997. Only two COREQ items were reported in all studies. 52.4% of articles reported between 16 and 21 items, corresponding to 43-57% of items being reported. Six items were reported in fewer than 10% of studies. COREQ domain 1 was least frequently reported. Despite improving trends, the reporting of QPHR in India is incomplete. Authors and journals should ensure adherence to reporting guidelines.

Best practice framework for Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in collaborative data analysis of qualitative mental health research: methodology development and refinement

BackgroundPatient and Public Involvement (PPI) in mental health research is increasing, especially in early (pre-funding) stages. PPI is less consistent in later stages, including in analysing qualitative data. The aims of this study were to develop a methodology for involving PPI co-researchers in collaboratively analysing qualitative mental health research data with academic researchers, to pilot and refine this methodology, and to create a best practice framework for collaborative data analysis (CDA) of qualitative mental health research.MethodsIn the context of the RECOLLECT Study of Recovery Colleges, a critical literature review of collaborative data analysis studies was conducted, to identify approaches and recommendations for successful CDA. A CDA methodology was developed and then piloted in RECOLLECT, followed by refinement and development of a best practice framework.ResultsFrom 10 included publications, four CDA approaches were identified: (1) consultation, (2) development, (3) application and (4) development and application of coding framework. Four characteristics of successful CDA were found: CDA process is co-produced; CDA process is realistic regarding time and resources; demands of the CDA process are manageable for PPI co-researchers; and group expectations and dynamics are effectively managed. A four-meeting CDA process was piloted to co-produce a coding framework based on qualitative data collected in RECOLLECT and to create a mental health service user-defined change model relevant to Recovery Colleges. Formal and informal feedback demonstrated active involvement. The CDA process involved an extra 80 person-days of time (40 from PPI co-researchers, 40 from academic researchers). The process was refined into a best practice framework comprising Preparation, CDA and Application phases.ConclusionsThis study has developed a typology of approaches to collaborative analysis of qualitative data in mental health research, identified from available evidence the characteristics of successful involvement, and developed, piloted and refined the first best practice framework for collaborative analysis of qualitative data. This framework has the potential to support meaningful PPI in data analysis in the context of qualitative mental health research studies, a previously neglected yet central part of the research cycle.

Deaf Qualitative Health Research: Leveraging Technology to Conduct Linguistically and Sociopolitically Appropriate Methods of Inquiry.

One of the most understudied health disparity populations in the United States is the Deaf community-a sociolinguistic minority group of at least 500,000 individuals who communicate using American Sign Language. Research within this population is lacking, in part, due to researchers' use of methodologies that are inaccessible to Deaf sign language users. Traditional qualitative methods were developed to collect and analyze participants' spoken language. There is, therefore, a paradigm shift that must occur to move from an auditory data schema to one that prioritizes the collection and analysis of visual data. To effectively navigate this shift when working with Deaf sign language users, there are unique linguistic and sociopolitical considerations that should be taken into account. The current article explores these considerations and outlines an emerging method of conducting qualitative analysis that, we argue, has the potential to enhance qualitative researchers' work regardless of the population of focus.

An international qualitative study exploring patients’ experiences of cutaneous leishmaniasis: study set-up and protocol

IntroductionLack of investments in drug development, lack of standardisation of clinical trials and the complexity of disease presentations contribute to the current lack of effective, safe and adapted treatments for...

Identity negotiation in the third space: an analysis of YouTube channels hosted by expatriates in Taiwan

ABSTRACTThis article explores the potential of YouTube as a third space in which second/additional language learners negotiate for alternative identities. Although burgeoning research has illuminated how language learners are able to expand their identities and communicative repertoire through various digital media, relatively little attention has been paid to how video-sharing websites provide learners with discursive spaces that might differ from text-based online communities. Drawing on [Gee’s, J. P. (2000–2001). Identity as an analytic lens for research in education. Review of Research in Education, 25, 99–125] identity framework, our qualitative content analysis [Hsieh, H.-F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15, 1277–1288] examines 116 videos from three popular YouTube channels hosted by Chinese as an additional language (CAL) learners expatriating in Taiwan. The findings indicate that by utilizing mixed semiotic tools and interactional opportunities afforded by YouTube, the video hosts are able to showcase their transnational experiences and construct alternative discourse identities vis-à-vis traditionally less powerful identities such as subjugated foreigners and CAL learners.

Epistemological Oppression and the Road to Awakening

Increasingly, it is becoming evident that qualitative research methodologies have much to contribute to producing health knowledge. Notwithstanding such advances, some would say the “paradigm war” continues, privileging postpositivist epistemologies. Our own experiences working within a post-positivist-dominated health research arena inspired the implementation of an “Epistemological Boot Camp” qualitative research training series. The central goal of the boot camp was to query the hypothesis that we are still in a paradigmatic “war zone” while imagining productive ways to both survive and thrive in the current climate. Moving forward, our hope is that our boot camp methodology can inspire other scholars to develop creative local initiatives that provide a platform to work toward recognizing the unique contributions of qualitative health research.

Abstracts, Oral Presentations for Qualitative Health Research Conference, 2017

Abstracts, Oral Presentations for Qualitative Health Research Conference, 2017

Abstracts, Poster Presentation for Qualitative Health Research Conference, 2017

Abstracts, Poster Presentation for Qualitative Health Research Conference, 2017

Corrigendum.

van Wijngaarden, E., van der Meide, H., and Dahlberg, K. (2017): Researching health care as a meaningful practice: Toward a nondualistic view on evidence for qualitative research. Qualitative Health Research, 27, 1738 -1747. Doi: 10.1177/1049732317711133 In this article, on page 1739, left column, line 7 of second full paragraph is incorrect. In this line, the word " qualitatively" should read as "quantitatively". The correct paragraph is mentioned below; Here we want to mention three widely acknowledged limitations to using quantitative research as a model for qualitative research. First, quantitative approaches are population oriented: homogeneous groups of patients from the same clinical conditions are in focus, whereas in real life, many issues and problems are chaotic, heterogeneous, and "too complex to tackle quantitatively" (Morse, 2006b). A reason for qualitative research is the urge to be person oriented.

Abstracts, Symposia For Qualitative Health Research Conference, 2017

Open accessAbstractFirst published online February 19, 2018Abstracts, Symposia For Qualitative Health Research Conference, 2017All Articleshttps://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917748704

Two Approaches to Focus Group Data Collection for Qualitative Health Research

This article discusses four challenges to conducting qualitative focus groups: (1) maximizing research budgets through innovative methodological approaches, (2) recruiting health-care professionals for qualitative health research, (3) conducting focus groups with health-care professionals across geographically dispersed areas, and (4) taking into consideration data richness when using different focus group data collection methods. In light of these challenges, we propose two alternative approaches for collecting focus group data: (a) extended period of quantitative data collection that facilitated relationship building in the sites prior to qualitative focus groups and (b) focus groups by videoconference. We share our experiences on employing both of these approaches in two national research programs.

Themes, Theories, and Models.

Although theory building is often described as the ultimate goal of qualitative research, an examination of articles in Qualitative Health Research ( QHR) shows that themes are actually the typical format for reporting results. In addition, articles that rely on themes often present low-level theories in the form of models that connect these themes. Because models have received less attention than either themes or theories, this article concentrates on summarizing four different kinds of models: hierarchies, timelines, processes, and cycles. In each of these cases, it presents both a general illustration of such a model and a realistic example from a published article in QHR. It concludes with a call for greater recognition of the role that models play in capturing the results of qualitative research.

Teaching Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health and Medicine: a research oriented module

Objectives: Qualitative health research can contribute to knowledge building in public health and medicine, but there is a lack of research-oriented training of qualitative methods at universities with public health programs and in medical schools. The aim of this paper is to describe our experiences in conceptualising, implementing and evaluating an elective on qualitative methods in the Master of Public Health (MPH) programme at the Medical Faculty of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich. Methods: A new research-oriented elective (3 Credit Points) was developed and delivered to MPH and medical students in summer 2016. This elective consisted of three blocks that were complemented by two practice sessions. The students worked in small groups. These groups developed a research question and a qualitative study design addressing the thematic focus of vaccinations. Each student conducted two semi-structured interviews with a semi-structured interview grid. Students transcribed the interviews, analysed them according to content analysis and presented the results collaboratively. Results: In that semester, 16 students successfully completed the elective. Groups of two to three students worked on their respective research questions, presented, and reflected on their research results. The participants evaluated the module as very good, particularly with regard to the structure and consistency of the blocks. To facilitate individualised mentoring and guidance, a high student-lecturer ratio is required. Timeframe and workload should pay tribute to the module's credit points. Conclusions: We successfully implemented a research-oriented elective providing a first-hand experience with qualitative health research methods. Students were able to learn about the theory and practical application of qualitative research in the field of medicine and public health.

Young adults’ perspectives on living with kidney failure: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies

IntroductionYoung adults fare worse than younger adolescents or older adults on a broad range of health indicators. Those with a chronic illness such as renal failure are a particularly vulnerable...