Qualitative research is a field of inquiry that crosscuts disciplines and subject matters. There are three major approaches to qualitative research: ethnography (drawn from anthropology); phenomenology (drawn from philosophy) and grounded theory (drawn from sociology). Typically, the research questions addressed by qualitative methods are discovery-oriented, descriptive and exploratory in nature. Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern human behavior. Various aspects of behavior could be based on deeply held values, personal perspectives, experiences and contextual circumstances.
Qualitative research investigates the why and how of decision making, not just what, where, and when. Therefore, the need is for smaller but focused samples rather than large random samples. Qualitative analysis involves categorizing data into patterns as the primary basis for organizing and reporting results. Qualitative researchers typically rely on several methods for gathering information: (1) participation in the setting, (2) direct observation, (3) in depth interviews, (4) focus groups, and (5) analysis of documents and materials.
Although it is common to draw a distinction between qualitative and quantitative aspects of scientific investigation, a mixed-methods approach (a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques) is often used. Qualitative research is, in some cases, instrumental to developing an understanding of a phenomenon as a basis for quantitative research. In other cases, it can inform or enrich our understanding of quantitative results. Similarly, quantitative research may inform, or be drawn upon in the process of qualitative research.
Mary Catherine Beach, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Medicine
Core Faculty, Berman Institute of Bioethics; Core Faculty, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research
Research Interests: Physician-Patient relationship and communication; respect; ethics
To see publication abstracts: PUBMED
Lisa Cooper, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Behavior and Society; Core Faculty, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clincal Research
Research Interests: Health disparities in depression care; spirituality; physician-patient relationship and communication
To see publication abstracts: PUBMED
Gail Geller, ScD
Professor of Medicine;
Core Faculty, Berman Institute of Bioethics
Research Interests: Social science; qualitative research; ethical aspects of genetics
To see publication abstracts: PUBMED
Jeremy Sugarman, MD, MPH, MA
Harvey M. Meyerhoff Professor of Bioethics and Medicine
Deputy Director for Medicine, Berman Institute of Bioethics
Research Interests: Philosophical and empirical research in biomedical ethics
To see publication abstracts: PUBMED
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