THE QUALITY OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: FROM EVALUATION TO ATTAINMENT

ABSTRACTThe objective of this paper is to emphasize the importance of quality in the research process instead of its valuation afterwards, an issue the literature has given extensive attention to. In addition, it is a reflection on the debate about the quality of qualitative research and presents the assessment of quality as a situated practice. Reflexivity is presented not as a criterion to assess the research quality but as an instrument to achieve it. There are three characteristics of qualitative research that researchers need to pay reflexive attention to. The first is that qualitative studies deal with human experiences; the second that these experiences are subjective; and the third that qualitative knowledge is ideographic and constructed during the study. Beyond these characteristics, issues are signaled that are constantly repeated in the studies and that unknowingly are a threat to their quality are addressed in this paper.

Download Full-text

Accounting for the messiness of the research process: the fieldpath approach

Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management An International Journal ◽

10.1108/qrom-06-2017-1536 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 315-332 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Perttu Salovaara

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Research Process ◽

Content Type ◽

Environmental Consequences ◽

Human Ethics ◽

Conceptual Paper ◽

The Common ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose It has recently become more acknowledged that there is a quality of “messiness” to the qualitative research process. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the fieldpath approach—a hermeneutically inspired framework—to account for the non-linearity, uncertainty and ambiguity of the research process. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper reviews how the scope of hermeneutics has been partly misunderstood. The paper discusses how the scope of hermeneutics has lately been expanded by works such as Günter Figal’s (2010) Objectivity: The Hermeneutical and Philosophy. Findings The fieldpath approach proposes that a heightened relation to materiality enables the messiness of the process to be preserved, while at the same time offering a way to find one’s footing in the midst of ontologically incomplete phenomena that are still—in a processual fashion—forming and becoming. Research limitations/implications This is a conceptual paper. In addition to the research mentioned here, more studies would be needed to legitimise, test and refine the approach. Practical implications Objectivity provides an additional criterion for researchers to lean on when facing the non-linearity and unexpected turns inherent in the qualitative research process. Social implications The stress on materiality involves an ethical dimension. Post-human ethics are concerned with the future environmental consequences and sustainability of the material world. The way that matter matters in our methodologies is of primary importance. Originality/value First, the paper emphasises that hermeneutics, contrary to the common perception, does offer criteria for evaluating between interpretations. Second, it introduces the notion of hermeneutic objectivity, which stresses the importance of materiality for interpretations. Third, it introduces the fieldpath approach, which, based on the previous criterion of hermeneutic objectivity, allows for the messiness of the research process, while also preserving a tight grip on the hermeneutic imperative of “understanding in a new way”.

Download Full-text

Informing Client-Centred Practice through Qualitative Inquiry: Evaluating the Quality of Qualitative Research

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/030802260206500405 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 65 (4) ◽

pp. 175-184 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Karen Whalley Hammell

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Research Process ◽

Convincing Evidence ◽

Qualitative Inquiry ◽

Consumer Involvement ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Sufficient Information ◽

Critical Scrutiny

Occupational therapists are increasingly embracing qualitative research methods yet little published advice exists in the occupational therapy literature to enable readers to gauge the quality and relevance of researchers' work. If qualitative research is to provide convincing evidence with which to inform theory and practice, it must be capable of withstanding critical scrutiny and practitioners must be given sufficient information with which to evaluate the strength and plausibility of the evidence reported. The process of undertaking qualitative research and of writing and critiquing subsequent reports is not about assessing adherence to rigid rules but of ensuring the appropriateness and thoroughness of data collection, analysis and reporting, given the nature and context of the issue. The espousal of a client-centred ethic also demands consideration of research relevance and usefulness to clients and the degree of consumer involvement throughout the research process. This paper examines an evaluative framework that may be used to assess the quality of qualitative evidence as this is both researched and reported. Recourse to a set of general strategies — used where appropriate – will serve to enhance the quality of qualitative research and assert its potential to inform the client-centred, evidence-based practice of occupational therapy.

Download Full-text

ANÁLISE DO USO DOS MEIOS DE COMUNICAÇÃO POR IDOSOS DE SANTA MARIA/RS

Estudos Interdisciplinares sobre o Envelhecimento ◽

10.22456/2316-2171.20824 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marco Aurelio Acosta ◽

Filomena Aparecida da Silva Rodrigues ◽

Anapaula Pastorio

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Elderly People ◽

Successful Aging ◽

The Elderly ◽

Physical Activities ◽

The Third ◽

The Media ◽

Santa Maria ◽

Source Of Information

resumo Este artigo busca apresentar uma pesquisa sobre o uso dos meios de comunicação pelos idosos dos grupos de terceira idade. Diante da nova realidade social em que constatou-se um número cada vez maior de idosos, tornam-se necessários estudos que abranjam o envelhecimento em todos os seus aspectos, auxiliando a sociedade na busca pelo envelhecimento bem sucedido. Este estudo, que teve como objetivo analisar o uso dos meios de comunicação, enfocado sob diferentes variáveis, por idosos participantes dos grupos de atividades físicas para a Terceira Idade do município de Santa Maria/RS, justifica-se uma vez que, analisando-se a quantidade e a qualidade dos meios de comunicação que os idosos têm acesso, constitui-se numa valiosa fonte de informação sobre as necessidades, as motivações, as atitudes e os interesses nesse período da vida, o que poderá colaborar para entendermos e para que possamos interagir com a presente realidade. Para realização do estudo foi efetuada uma pesquisa qualitativa, onde foram entrevistados 128 idosos, comprovando-se a supremacia da televisão sobre os demais meios de comunicação, principalmente nos períodos da tarde e noite, tendo dentre outras motivações: manter-se informado, passatempo e entretenimento. Palavras-chave Idoso. Meios de Comunicação. Grupos de Atividades Físicas. abstract This article presents a survey on the use of media by seniors groups of elderly. Given the new social reality, which finds an increasing number of elderly people, it has become necessary studies covering aging in all its aspects, helping the company's bid for successful aging. This study aimed to examine the use of media, focusing on different variables of elderly participants in the groups of physical activities for the Third Age of the Santa Maria / RS, is justified since, by analyzing the quantity and quality of the media that the elderly have access, constitutes a valuable source of information about the needs, motivations, attitudes and interests in this period of life, which may help to understand and be able to interact with the this reality. For this achievement, it was made a qualitative research, where through interviews with 128 elderly, it was proved the supremacy of television over other media, mainly during the afternoon and evening, and among other reasons to stay informed, hobby and entertainment . keywords Elderly. Media. Groups of Physical Activities.

Download Full-text

Caregiving for ageing parents: A literature review on the experience of adult children

Nursing Ethics ◽

10.1177/0969733019881713 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 096973301988171

Author(s):

Ina Luichies ◽

Anne Goossensen ◽

Hanneke van der Meide

Keyword(s):

Literature Review ◽

Adult Children ◽

Research Process ◽

Qualitative Studies ◽

Future Research ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Wide Range ◽

Ageing Parents

Background: More and more adults in their fifties and sixties are confronted with the need to support their ageing parents. Although many aspects of filial caregiving have been researched, a well-documented and comprehensive overview of the caregiving experience is lacking. Aim: This study aims for a better understanding of the caregiving experience of adult children by generating an overview of main themes in international research. Method: A literature review of qualitative studies, focusing on the experiences of adult children caring for their ageing parents, was performed. The electronic EBSCO databases Academic Search Premier, CINAHL and PsycINFO, and Google Scholar were searched to identify relevant qualitative studies published between 2000 and 2017. The ‘SPIDER’ eligibility criteria directed the approach. The quality of studies included was screened with the assessment sheet designed by Hawker and colleagues. The experiences reported were analysed and themes were synthesized. Ethical consideration: Ethical requirements were respected in every phase of the research process. Findings: Nineteen qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the relationship with the parent appears to be an important determinant of the children’s caregiving experience. Within this context, three themes were found: caregiving as an emotional rollercoaster, a normatively demanding experience and an opportunity for personal development. Discussion: Children caring for their ageing parents have to deal with a wide range of contradicting and conflicting norms and values. Implications for healthcare professionals and future research have been discussed. Conclusion: Caring for ageing parents is a continuous quest for giving the best possible care and living up to one’s personal values, within the context of the parent’s declining health. Professionals who support filial caregivers should address not only practical responsibilities but also the normative questions and moral considerations caregivers are dealing with.

Download Full-text

Financial reporting in non-governmental organizations - legislation versus business practice

Zeszyty Naukowe Wyższej Szkoły Humanitas Zarządzanie ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0010.2890 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 0-0

Author(s):

Dorota Jegorow

Keyword(s):

Financial Reporting ◽

Third Sector ◽

Research Process ◽

Business Practice ◽

Volunteer Work ◽

The Third ◽

Governmental Organizations ◽

Non Governmental Organizations ◽

The Third Sector

The analysis presented in the pages of this paper is focused on identifying new dimension of quality of financial reporting entities NGOs. The research process is based on the literature studies, analysis of existing legal acts and opinions of specialists practitioners - representatives of the third sector. Contrary to the expectations and assumptions of the architects of new solutions entered in the amended in 2015. Accounting Act in practice translate into significant decrease in the reporting obligations of NGOs. The scope of financial reporting, although formally been reduced, in practice, the solutions adopted have not been adapted to the specific NGOs, especially those based on the volunteer work and aimed at realization of socially useful.

Download Full-text

Conducting the Pilot Study: A Neglected Part of the Research Process? Methodological Findings Supporting the Importance of Piloting in Qualitative Research Studies

International Journal of Qualitative Methods ◽

10.1177/1609406919878341 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 160940691987834 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Johan Malmqvist ◽

Kristina Hellberg ◽

Gunvie Möllås ◽

Richard Rose ◽

Michael Shevlin

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Inclusive Education ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Case Study Research ◽

Research Process ◽

Research Projects ◽

Pilot Studies ◽

Recorded Data

During the development of research to compare the processes and impact of inclusive education in Sweden with results obtained from a study undertaken in Ireland, a pilot study was conducted and documented. The pilot study had three aims: (1) to gather data to provide guidance for a substantive study adapted to Swedish conditions through modification of Irish research procedures and instruments, (2) to critically interrogate how we as researchers could most effectively conduct a pilot study utilizing observational and video-recorded data, and (3) to use the Irish theoretical model as a tool of analysis for studying inclusion in two Swedish schools. Although pilot studies are frequently conducted to assess the efficacy of research instruments for use in qualitative research projects, few publications have drawn upon empirical findings related to such studies. Additionally, while methodological texts recommend the use of pilot studies in qualitative research, there is a lack of reported research focusing on how to conduct such pilot studies. We argue that our methodological findings may contribute to greater awareness of the important role that a pilot study may have for full-scale qualitative research projects, for example, in case study research where semi-structured qualitative interviews are used. This argument is based on the assumption that researchers, and especially novice researchers, having conducted a pilot study will be better informed and prepared to face the challenges that are likely to arise in the substantive study and more confident in the instruments to be used for data collection. A proper analysis of the procedures and results from the pilot study facilitates the identification of weaknesses that may be addressed. A carefully organized and managed pilot study has the potential to increase the quality of the research as results from such studies can inform subsequent parts of the research process.

Download Full-text

Turtles All the Way Down? — On a Quest for Quality in Qualitative Research

South African Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1177/008124639702700208 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 111-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ineke Meulenberg-Buskens

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Social Science Research ◽

Science Research ◽

Research Quality ◽

Research Guidelines ◽

The Relationship ◽

Reflective Discourse ◽

Quality Of Research

This article focuses on the relationship between the personal and the scientific in qualitative research discourse as an aspect of the quest for quality. While there is of necessity a personal dimension in any type of social science research, in qualitative research the personal takes a prominent place in that the researcher's subjectivity is explicitly used within the research context and appropriated by the methodological discourse. The purpose of methodological discourse is to safeguard the quality of research: Guidelines are developed, innovations are discussed, and traditions and conventions maintained. Methodological discourse can also be the arena where a community of scientists asserts itself through discussing its members' practices. It is here where personal authority and scientific convention meet in the battle for research quality. The case study used here reflects a particular event in a qualitative methodological discourse which was a crisis of sorts. An attempt is made to analyse the process which revealed the prevalent rules and the question is raised whether the quest for recognizability, which is the basis of methodological discourse operating within a community of scientists, has the potential to function as a threat to the quest for quality, so undermining its very purpose. A plea is made for a multi-layered reflective discourse where not only individual work will be scrutinized, but the discourse will scrutinize itself with the help of individual events.

Download Full-text

CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR MILLENIALS TOURIST VISIT MOTIVATION IN BOROBUDUR

Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Environment Management ◽

10.35631/jthem.519006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (19) ◽

pp. 67-89

Author(s):

Ghitha Ghaida Ghassani ◽

Raden Aswin Rahadi ◽

Bisma Jatmika

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Conceptual Model ◽

Behavioral Intentions ◽

Emotional Experience ◽

Research Process ◽

Perceived Quality ◽

Revisit Intention ◽

Surrounding Areas ◽

ANALISIS KETERCAPAIAN INDIKATOR STANDAR PROSES PADA MA ADDZURIYATUS SHOLIHIN

KHAZANAH PENDIDIKAN ◽

10.30595/jkp.v14i1.8477 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sinta Nurhayati ◽

Leni Redha ◽

Lastia Laksana

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Research Process ◽

Quality Of Education ◽

Study Group ◽

Standard Process ◽

Maximum Score ◽

The Way

ABSTRACTThis article aims to determine the standard of the research process at MAAdzuriyatus Solihin ciparay Bandung. This research is a qualitative research bycollecting data in the form of observation, interviews and documentation. The results ofthis study indicate that the achievement of process standards at MA Adzuriyatus SolihinCiparay Bandung is 91.42% when compared to the entire maximum score that shouldbe achieved in the standard process. This study recommends in-depth. indicators thathave not been achieved optimally, especially school indicators carry out the learningprocess with a maximum of 36 students in the study group and the teacher conducts goodclassroom management with 12 criteria. According to the author, the principal mustconduct an evaluation and supervision of the way to teach in the class, also conducttraining for teachers who have not been able to achieve standard process indicators.Because in learning the class of educators plays an important role in the learningprocess. This is intended to improve the quality of education and satisfaction ofcommunity expectations.Keynotes: process standards, educators, students

Download Full-text

Qualitative Research and the Generalizability Question: Standing Firm with Proteus

The Qualitative Report ◽

10.46743/2160-3715/2000.2925 ◽

2000 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Margaret Myers

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Subjective Experience ◽

Research Process ◽

Human Experience ◽

Qualitative Studies ◽

The World ◽

Traditional Sense

Qualitative studies are tools used in understanding and describing the world of human experience. Since we maintain our humanity throughout the research process, it is largely impossible to escape the subjective experience, even for the most seasoned of researchers. As we proceed through the research process, our humanness informs us and often directs us through such subtleties as intuition or 'aha' moments. Speaking about the world of human experience requires an extensive commitment in terms of time and dedication to process; however, this world is often dismissed as 'subjective' and regarded with suspicion. This paper acknowledges that small qualitative studies are not generalizable in the traditional sense, yet have redeeming qualities that set them above that requirement.

Download Full-text