HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) In Brief TRACK Discussion: Submit a Comment TRACK Discussion: View Comments Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when TRACK Comments are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Fernald, D. H. Articles by Duclos, C. W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Fernald, D. H. Articles by Duclos, C. W.

Enhance Your Team-Based Qualitative Research

¹ Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Aurora, Colo
² JSI Research and Training Institute, Denver, Colo

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Douglas Fernald, MA, PO Box 6508 F496, Aurora, Colorado, 80045-0508, doug.fernald{at}uchsc.edu

PURPOSE Qualitative research projects often involve the collaborative efforts of a research team. Challenges inherent in teamwork include changes in membership and differences in analytical style, philosophy, training, experience, and skill. This article discusses teamwork issues and tools and techniques used to improve team-based qualitative research.

METHODS We drew on our experiences in working on numerous projects of varying, size, duration, and purpose. Through trials of different tools and techniques, expert consultation, and review of the literature, we learned to improve how we build teams, manage information, and disseminate results.

RESULTS Attention given to team members and team processes is as important as choosing appropriate analytical tools and techniques. Attentive team leadership, commitment to early and regular team meetings, and discussion of roles, responsibilities, and expectations all help build more effective teams and establish clear norms. As data are collected and analyzed, it is important to anticipate potential problems from differing skills and styles, and how information and files are managed. Discuss analytical preferences and biases and set clear guidelines and practices for how data will be analyzed and handled. As emerging ideas and findings disperse across team members, common tools (such as summary forms and data grids), coding conventions, intermediate goals or products, and regular documentation help capture essential ideas and insights.

CONCLUSIONS In a team setting, little should be left to chance. This article identifies ways to improve team-based qualitative research with more a considered and systematic approach. Qualitative researchers will benefit from further examination and discussion of effective, field-tested, team-based strategies.

Key Words: Qualitative research • evaluation studies • research methods • team work

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. C. Stange In This Issue: Patient Outcomes, the Process of Care, and the Capacity for Innovation Ann. Fam. Med, July 1, 2005; 3(4): 290 - 291. [Full Text] [PDF]

TRACK Comments: