Elsevier

The Lancet

Volume 358, Issue 9280, 11 August 2001, Pages 483-488
The Lancet

Series
Qualitative research: standards, challenges, and guidelines

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(01)05627-6Get rights and content

Summary

Qualitative research methods could help us to improve our understanding of medicine. Rather than thinking of qualitative and quantitative strategies as incompatible, they should be seen as complementary. Although procedures for textual interpretation differ from those of statistical analysis, because of the different type of data used and questions to be answered, the underlying principles are much the same. In this article I propose relevance, validity, and reflexivity as overall standards for qualitative inquiry. I will discuss the specific challenges in relation to reflexivity, transferability, and shared assumptions of interpretation, which are met by medical researchers who do this type of research, and I will propose guidelines for qualitative inquiry.

Section snippets

Standards

Qualitative research methods involve the systematic collection, organisation, and interpretation of textual material derived from talk or observation. It is used in the exploration of meanings of social phenomena as experienced by individuals themselves, in their natural context.2, 3, 4, 5 Qualitative research is still regarded with scepticism by the medical community, accused of its subjective nature and the absence of facts. Although the adequacy of guidelines has been vigorously debated

Qualitative and quantitative methods

When qualitative and quantitative approaches are combined, the methods are often applied in sequential order. Semistructured interviews or observational data might, for example, be used to explore hypotheses or variables when planning a large epidemiological study, resulting in enhanced sensitivity and accuracy of survey questions and statistical strategy. In such instances, qualitative studies might be thought of as precursors of “real” science. However, qualitative studies can also be added

Conclusions

Medical research needs diversity. We need to prevent methodological separatism and supremacy if the field of medical knowledge is to be expanded, not just strengthened or divided. Responsible application of qualitative research methods is a promising approach to broader understanding of clinical realities. No research method will ever be able to describe peoples lives, minds, and realities completely though, and medical doctors should be reminded that scientific knowledge is not always the most

References (37)

  • K Malterud

    The art and science of clinical knowledge: evidence beyond measures and numbers

    Lancet

    (2001)
  • YS Lincoln et al.

    Naturalistic inquiry

    (1985)
  • MB Miles et al.

    Qualitative data analysis: an expanded sourcebook

    (1994)
  • N Britten et al.

    Qualitative research methods in general practice and primary care

    Fam Pract

    (1995)
  • S Kvale

    Inter Views: an introduction to qualitative research writing

    (1996)
  • YS Lincoln

    Emerging criteria for quality in qualitative and interpretive research

    Qual Inq

    (1995)
  • N Mays et al.

    Quality in qualitative health research

  • M Blaxter

    Criteria for evaluation of qualitative research

    Med Sociol News

    (1996)
  • NC Elder et al.

    Reading and evaluating qualitative research studies

    J Fam Pract

    (1995)
  • N Mays et al.

    Rigour and qualitative research

    BMJ

    (1995)
  • MK Giacomini et al.

    Users' guides to the medical literature, XXIII: qualitative research in health care—A, are the results of the study valid?

    JAMA

    (2000)
  • A Chapple et al.

    Explicit guidelines for qualitative research: a step in the right direction, a defence of the ‘soft’ option, or a form of sociological imperialism?

    Fam Pract

    (1998)
  • K Hamberg et al.

    Scientific rigour in qualitative research: examples from a study of women's health in family practice

    Fam Pract

    (1994)
  • M Hammersley

    Reading ethnographic research

    (1990)
  • MK Giacomini et al.

    Users' guide to the medical literature, XXIII: qualitative research in health care—B, what are the results and how do they help me care for my patients?

    JAMA

    (2000)
  • T Nagel

    The view from nowhere

    (1986)
  • D Haraway

    Situated knowledges: the science question in feminism and the privilege of partial perspective

  • B Latour et al.

    Laboratory life: the construction of scientific facts

    (1986)
  • Cited by (3010)

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text