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Review
. 2020 May 27:2:14.
doi: 10.1186/s42466-020-00059-z. eCollection 2020.

How to use and assess qualitative research methods

Loraine Busetto  1 , Wolfgang Wick  1   2 , Christoph Gumbinger  1
Affiliations
Review

How to use and assess qualitative research methods

Loraine Busetto et al. Neurol Res Pract. .

Abstract

This paper aims to provide an overview of the use and assessment of qualitative research methods in the health sciences. Qualitative research can be defined as the study of the nature of phenomena and is especially appropriate for answering questions of why something is (not) observed, assessing complex multi-component interventions, and focussing on intervention improvement. The most common methods of data collection are document study, (non-) participant observations, semi-structured interviews and focus groups. For data analysis, field-notes and audio-recordings are transcribed into protocols and transcripts, and coded using qualitative data management software. Criteria such as checklists, reflexivity, sampling strategies, piloting, co-coding, member-checking and stakeholder involvement can be used to enhance and assess the quality of the research conducted. Using qualitative in addition to quantitative designs will equip us with better tools to address a greater range of research problems, and to fill in blind spots in current neurological research and practice.

Keywords: Mixed methods; Qualitative research; Quality assessment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Iterative research process
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Possible combination of data collection methods
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
From data collection to data analysis
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Three common mixed methods designs
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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