Qualitative Analysis: Collecting, Analyzing, and Interpreting Paper

Qualitative Analysis: Collecting, Analyzing, and Interpreting Paper

Researchers have plenty of options to consider when investigating phenomena or clinical questions. Depending on research objectives and the researcher’s perspective, it is viable to consider qualitative and quantitative methodologies in modeling and analyzing phenomena. Busetto et al. (2020) define qualitative research as “the study of the nature of phenomena, including their quality, different manifestations, and the context in which they appear…” (p. 1). One characteristic that distinguishes qualitative research from quantitative methodologies is that the former focuses on analyzing the subjective meaning of events, opinions, feelings, and perspectives regarding a phenomenon.

Secondly, qualitative research does not emphasize statistical significance or numerical representativity but focuses on a deep understanding of a problem (Queiros et al., 2017). Examples of methodologies that form the basis of qualitative research are observation, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and a review of secondary sources. These methodologies enable researchers to embrace various qualitative research designs like grounded theory, ethnography, action research, phenomenological research, and narrative research.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Research Methodologies

Strengths

“Qualitative research is about immersing oneself in a scene and trying to make sense of it…” (Tracy, 2020, p. 3). In the context of a clinical problem or phenomena, qualitative research methods enable researchers to identify and examine cues to understand their behaviors and interactions. Therefore, qualitative research methodologies exhibit various strengths when applied to nursing research. Tracy (2020) contends that qualitative research is effective in studying contexts where researchers have no “valid” reason for entering. Secondly, they enable researchers to examine cultural activities and opinions often overlooked by experimental study designs.

Thirdly, qualitative research can uncover salient issues that require more structured methods. Finally, qualitative research methodologies allow researchers to holistically understand human experiences and perceptions of a phenomenon by providing opportunities for meaningful interactions with participants through unstructured interviews, direct observation, surveys, and focus groups. Consequently, these strengths render qualitative research essential in investigating issues that involve varied perceptions, cultural interpretation, and opinion diversity.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

Weaknesses of Qualitative Research

Despite the plausibility of using qualitative research in uncovering, understanding, and interpreting participants’ experiences, this design exhibits some obvious limitations. For example, conducting observations, ethnographies, field research, focus groups, and structured interviews is time-consuming and dependent on the observer’s impartiality (Queiros et al., 2017). Another limitation of qualitative research methodologies is limited generalizability and reliability due to a lack of statistical significance of the data. For example, case studies and structured interviews present difficulties in establishing cause-effect connections and can lead to complexities in obtaining detailed data. Finally, conducting in-depth interviews is relatively costly and requires a rigid verification process and participants’ blinding to avoid bias (Queiros et al., 2017). These limitations prompt researchers to embrace mixed-method study designs to capitalize on the advantages of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

Using Qualitative Research to Explore Dementia as a Clinical Problem

Home-based caregivers face multiple challenges when providing care to patients with dementia due to the lurking neurodegenerative effects of the disease. When investigating how to ensure the safety of dementia patients, it is possible to use qualitative methodologies such as structured interviews, case studies, focus groups, surveys, and a review of secondary sources to understand caregivers’ experiences and perceptions of complexities prevailing in home-based care settings. For example, qualitative methodologies can uncover perceptions and issues that are underlying when conducting experimental studies. According to Tracy (2020), qualitative research can interpret participants’ viewpoints and stories, focus on lived experiences, and provides a comprehensive approach to explaining, illuminating, and reinterpreting quantitative data. These aspects render it essential in revealing difficulties in safeguarding the safety of patients with dementia.

Recommendations and Conclusion

Although qualitative research methods are effective in enabling a holistic understanding of human experiences and perceptions regarding specific topics, notable limitations compromise the generalizability and validity of qualitative research. Therefore, it is essential to improve the trustworthiness and reliability of qualitative research by embracing various approaches, including combining it with quantitative methods, ensuring data triangulation, peer-reviewing, and embracing proper sampling methods (Yadav, 2021). For example, blinding participants and assessors can prevent biases and improve information reliability and credibility.

References

Busetto, L., Wick, W., & Gumbinger, C. (2020). How to use and assess qualitative research methods. Neurological Research and Practice, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-020-00059-z

Queirós, A., Faria, D., & Almeida, F. (n.d.). Strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research methods. European Journal of Education Studies, 3(9), 369–387. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.887089

Tracy, S. J. (2020). Qualitative research methods: Collecting evidence, crafting analysis, Communicating Impact (2nd ed.). Wiley Blackwell.

Yadav, D. (2021). Criteria for good qualitative research: A comprehensive review. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-021-00619-0

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

In this week’s discussion, you will explore differences in methods when conducting qualitative research. You will consider the strengths and weaknesses of the approaches and provide recommendations for improvement. In your Discussion Post, you will select a topic (Dementia) and analyze how qualitative research can and should be used to explore the problem or issue.
Please, this instructor likes headings and examples, and details. Thanks again, writer 1193 is my preference.