QUALITATIVE STUDY

By
Gladis Ratuliu
Qualitative Design Features
Control Over the Independent Variable
no control over any aspects
no concept of dependent or independent variables
Qualitative Design Features
Type of Group Comparisons
“The goal of most qualitative studies as to develop a
rich understanding of a phenomenon as it exists in the
real worl and as it is constructed by individuals in the
context of that world” (Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. 2004)
Examples:
Rossen and Knafl (2003) studied older women’s
responses to a residential move to congregate living
facilities. As they analyzed their data, they realized that
there were three separate relocation styles, each of
which was associated with a distinct configuration of
conditions, characteristics, and outcome themes.
Example:
Draucker and Stern (2000) conducted a grounded theory
study to describe women’s responses to sexual
violence by male intimates. They labeled the central
process for these women as forging ahead, but
discovered that there were variants to this process for
three subgroups of women who experienced different
types of sexual violence.
Qualitative Design Features
Number of Data Collection Points
Cross-sectional
Longitudinal

The purpose of this is to observe the evolution of some

phenomenon.
Example:
Cross-sectional: McCurry and Thomas (2002) studied
spouses’ experience in heart transplantation through
interviews at a single point in time. The time since the
transplant ranged from 2 to almost 9 years, which
researchers regarded as desirable as a means of
understanding variation in the experience over time.

Longitudinal: Schneider (2002) conducted a grounded theory

study of Australian women’s experiences of their first
pregnancy. She interviewed 13 women three times during
their pregnancies – near the end of each trimester.
Qualitative Research Features
Retrospective versus Prospective
Examples:
Retrospective exploration: Beery, Sommers, and Hall (2002)
studied the emotional impact of living with permanent
cardiac pacemakers. The 11 women in their sample were
asked questions about live events that led up to, and
occurred during and after, their pacemaker’s implantation.
Prospective exploration: Olson and her coresearchers (2002)
conducted a prospective qualitative study to explore the
evolution of routines among Canadian cancer patients who
were able to prevent fatigue; participants were interviewed
before, during, and after treatment.
Qualitative Research Features
Research Setting
Example:
Long, Kneafsey, Ryan, and Berry (2000) conducted a
2-year qualitative study to examine nurses’ role within
multiprofessional rehabilitation teams in the United
Kingdom. Forty-nine clients were recruited. Their
pathways through rehabilitation services were
observed for 6 months in a variety of settings,
including homes, outpatient clinics, hospital wards,
and nursing homes.
Qualitative Research Traditions
Overview
Qualitative Research Traditions
Ethnography
studies the meanings, patterns, and experiences of a
group.
2 types: Macroethnography & Microethnography
2 perspectives: Emic & Etic

Ethnonursing research is “the study and analysis of the

local and indigenous people’s viewpoints, beliefs, and
practices about nursing care behavior and processes of
designated cultures” (Leininger, 1985)
Example:
Rungreangkulkij and Chesla (2001) conducted a
phenomenological study of Thai mothers’ experiences
caring for a child with schizophrenia. In-depth
interviews were conducted with 12 Thai mothers who
had adult schizophrenic children. Findings centered on
mothers’ attempts to smooth their hearts with lots of
water. In Thai culture, the metaphor of water and fire is
used to help people calm down when experiencing
negative emotions such as anger of frustration.
Example
Ethnographic study: Lipson (2001) conducted an
ethnographic study about the experiences of people
with multiple chemical sensitivity. she gathered her
data (which included in-depth interviews and
observations) in two U.S. and two Canadian settings.
Her report includes a particularly valuable discussion
of issues relating to conduct of autoethnography (or
insider research), in which ethnographers study their
own culture or group.
Qualitative Research Traditions
Ethnoscience
focuses on cognitive world
Emphasized on semantic rules
Example
Ethnoscientific study: Hirst (2002) used methods of
ethnoscience to articulate a definition of resident abuse as
perceived by nurses working in long-term care settings.
She focused on the linguistic symbols and “folk terms” of
the culture in long-term care institutions.

Ethnonursing study: Wittig (2001) conducted an

ethnonursing study focusing on organ donation beliefs of
African-American women living in rural Mississippi.
Wittig made numerous visits to the site and conducted in-
depth interviews with 10 African-American women.
Qualitative Research Traditions
Phenomenology (Descriptive Phenomenology)
Developed by Husserl

Hermeneutics (Interpretive Phenomenology)

Developed by Heidegger

The phenomenological approach is especially useful when

a phenomenon of interest has been poorly
conceptualized.
THANK YOU