Qualitative Methods for Health Research 4/e

Part I: Principles and Approaches in Qualitative Health Research Chapter 1: Qualitative Methodology in Health Research What is qualitative research? Qualitative research and evidence based practice The orientations of qualitative research Some assumptions about qualitative research Chapter 2: The Role of Theory Macro theory Middle range theory Theories of knowledge Chapter 3: Developing Qualitative Research Proposals Research questions Selecting appropriate study designs Pragmatic influences on research design A qualitative approach to design Writing a research proposal Sampling strategies Chapter 4: Responsibilities, Ethics and Values Values in research Ethical review and codes of practice Informed consent Confidentiality Responsibilities to research participants Ethical dilemmas and conflicts Responsibilities to yourself and co-workers Responsibilities to commissioners and the public Part II: Generating Data Chapter 5: In-depth Interviews The research interview A word on language Language and translation What interviews can and can't do Asking questions and listening to answers Context and data Planning interviews Using visual methods in interviews Chapter 6: Group Interviews and Discussions An overview of different kinds of groups used in qualitative research Consensus panels Community interviews and participatory methods Focus group discussions Natural groups Advantages of using group interviews Naturalism Limitations Planning group interview studies Chapter 7: Observational Methods Participation and observation Ethnography and medical anthropology Ethnographies of medicine, health and health care Managing fieldwork roles Planning an ethnographic study Rapid ethnographic methods Using participation and observation in interviews Non-participant observation Chapter 8: Using Secondary Sources Why use existing sources? Public records Personal documents Mass media outputs Research outputs Policy reports Material artefacts Methodological issues in using documentary sources Chapter 9: Qualitative Research in a Digital Age Questions about health, health care and technology Researching virtual sites Recruitment on line: social media Technology platforms as part of the context of data generation Ethical issues in digital research Dissemination and knowledge exchange Part III: Managing and Analysing Data Chapter 10: Beginning Data Analysis Styles of analysis Aims of analysis Data preparation and management Qualitative description Thematic content analysis Framework analysis Reliability and validity Computer aided qualitative analysis Chapter 11: Developing Qualitative Analysis Rigour is not enough Discourse analysis Grounded theory Narrative analysis Beyond talk and text Some strategies for thinking more analytically Generalizability and transferability Part IV: Qualitative Research in Practice Chapter 12: Integrating Methods, Designs and Disciplines Rationales for mixing methods within qualitative studies Combining qualitative and quantitative designs Qualitative research within evaluative designs Combining designs in practice Developing trans-disciplinary research Enhancing collaboration Chapter 13: Reading, Appraising and Integrating Qualitative Research Reading critically Formal critical appraisal for empirical studies Criteria in ethnography Systematic reviews Integrating qualitative findings Meta-ethnography Chapter 14: Dissemination: reaching and engaging with audiences The writing process Writing for different audiences Writing for health journals Writing for social science colleagues Practical issues to consider when writing research reports Dissemination from collaborative projects Communicating with non-specialist audiences

This book is the clear and extensive introduction to qualitative health research. It is useful for all under and post graduate students, and even for PhDs with quantitative background. -- Kirsi Lumme-Sandt A thoughtful, thorough and readable account of the history and current practice of qualitative research in health. -- Louise Keogh An enormously helpful resource for anyone interested in interpreting and conducting qualitative health research. In addition to describing complex social theory in an easily digestible style, it also provides a practical 'how to' guide for all the stages of qualitative data collection, analysis and dissemination. Filled with useful examples, it brings qualitative health research to life in a way that is both engaging and highly accessible. It is a must read for students and experienced scholars alike! -- Sara Cooper This new edition of Green and Thorogood's excellent textbook should be required reading for health professionals considering undertaking qualitative research. Along with a practical introduction to the theory and methods of qualitative research, this revised edition expands on the importance of theory for qualitative research, the use of secondary sources and digital methods in data collection and the integration of methods, disciplines and designs within research. It continues to be a core text for any qualitative methods training for students in health and related disciplines. -- Stephen Clayton