Health research focuses on understanding the impact of health education and promotion, risk-taking behavior, medical care interventions, and policies on the health outcomes of individuals and populations. Investigators have traditionally used quantitative research methods to examine the influence of health education programs, health access and utilization, and the clinical effectiveness of medical care through randomized and nonrandomized experimental designs. However, these methods are not appropriate to measure and examine knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of an individual’s health, motivation to change, and willingness to adopt new health behaviors, nor are they adequate to measure patient perceptions of the quality of care received in a health care system. These more nuanced aspects of individual and population health may be most appropriately examined with qualitative research methods, which we will discuss in further detail in this article.
Qualitative research approaches are becoming more common in the clinical medicine and public health fields, and they are receiving more support from federal and local agencies. Qualitative research is a form of scientific inquiry that spans different academic fields and disciplines. It is often exploratory in nature and seeks to generate insights using inductive rather than deductive methodologies. In using inductive methods, we start with observations made in a study sample and then develop hypotheses that can be tested. In using deductive methods, we start with a research hypothesis and then test it with observations from a sample from the population of interest.
There are several main differences between qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. First, quantitative methods estimate prevalence, frequency, and incidence to determine the count of diseases or health outcomes in the population, whereas qualitative methods describe the context of disease or health outcomes. Second, quantitative methods seek to statistically test hypotheses created prior to collection of the data, whereas qualitative methods seek to generate hypotheses regarding the observed health behaviors or outcomes to understand the relationships of the various factors that may impact them. Finally, quantitative methods utilize randomized or nonrandomized experimental designs or survey instruments to produce numerical data that measures health behaviors and outcomes, whereas qualitative methods collect data in the community with observation, open ended questioning, and interviews that lead to text-based data.
Mixed research methodology studies, in which quantitative and qualitative methods are combined, are increasing in popularity in health research. Since it can capitalize on the respective strengths of each approach, this technique supports the development of a more comprehensive understanding of a health concern. It does this by allowing us to understand the potential causal linkages and mechanisms between variables and to study special populations that are traditionally underrepresented in research. A recent study done in Chicago, Illinois among 42 South Asian adult women used the qualitative research methodologies of semi-structured interviews and focus groups to understand the attitudes, perceptions, and barriers to physical activity at different life stages. This study revealed specific sociocultural norms and family constraints within the community, such as family disapproval and perceptions that physical activity is unnecessary if you are “skinny”. The understanding of these cultural norms can further inform investigators and policy makers to address specific needs of the community while developing physical activity / exercise intervention and educational programs. Thus, similar studies using qualitative or mixed research methods can provide in-depth information about small population groups that are often overlooked by larger national research studies.
There are several main differences between qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. First, quantitative methods estimate prevalence, frequency, and incidence to determine the count of diseases or health outcomes in the population, whereas qualitative methods describe the context of disease or health outcomes. Second, quantitative methods seek to statistically test hypotheses created prior to collection of the data, whereas qualitative methods seek to generate hypotheses regarding the observed health behaviors or outcomes to understand the relationships of the various factors that may impact them. Finally, quantitative methods utilize randomized or nonrandomized experimental designs or survey instruments to produce numerical data that measures health behaviors and outcomes, whereas qualitative methods collect data in the community with observation, open ended questioning, and interviews that lead to text-based data.
Mixed research methodology studies, in which quantitative and qualitative methods are combined, are increasing in popularity in health research. Since it can capitalize on the respective strengths of each approach, this technique supports the development of a more comprehensive understanding of a health concern. It does this by allowing us to understand the potential causal linkages and mechanisms between variables and to study special populations that are traditionally underrepresented in research. A recent study done in Chicago, Illinois among 42 South Asian adult women used the qualitative research methodologies of semi-structured interviews and focus groups to understand the attitudes, perceptions, and barriers to physical activity at different life stages. This study revealed specific sociocultural norms and family constraints within the community, such as family disapproval and perceptions that physical activity is unnecessary if you are “skinny”. The understanding of these cultural norms can further inform investigators and policy makers to address specific needs of the community while developing physical activity / exercise intervention and educational programs. Thus, similar studies using qualitative or mixed research methods can provide in-depth information about small population groups that are often overlooked by larger national research studies.