Date post: | 30-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | felicity-reeves |
View: | 215 times |
Download: | 3 times |
OVERVIEW OF QUALITATIVE METHODS
Violet Kimani
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
MAANZONI
Objectives
Provide Overview of Methodology
Highlight distinction between Qualitative and Quantitative methods
List the various Methods
Qualitative methods
Qualitative research methods Developed in the social sciences to investigate
social and cultural phenomena Complement Quantitative methods Qualitative data sources include: observation,
FGDs, Key Informant interviews, In-depth interviews & the researcher’s impressions
Distinction between Qualitative and quantitative data
Descriptive Non-numeric Small numbers How , why questions Internal validity Low on intracultural
variation Contextual
understanding
Numeric Quantification/statistical
analysis Large numbers What Questions Replicable/
generalization External
validity/reliability High on intracultural
variation
Formulation of a research problem: Qualitative Approach
The study is often exploratory- Knowing that a problem exists but knowing little about its characteristics or possible causes:
-Who is affected?-Why them?-How do the affected people behave?-What do they know, believe, think about
the problem?
Areas of Focus
Examples:
Why women use/not use contraceptivesWhy some women deliver in health
institutions & others at homeWhy some illness are ignoredExplanations for care seeking behaviour
Exploratory Approaches
Provides insight into a problem by investigating peoples views on the problem; interpretation and finding solutions
Local concepts of describing the problem Local perception of causation & treatment Participatory research- engage the community Move from known to unknown Shared decision making processes
Data Collection- Qualitative Approaches
Discussions/Participatory Engage the researcher moreFormat- unstructured instruments/Guides
Types of Qualitative approaches
Key Informant InterviewsIn-depth InterviewsFocus Group DiscussionsObservationsNarratives:- reported often verbatim as
case studiesVisuals
Who is a Key Informant?
An “informed”/Expert person (DMS, MOH, PHO, Nutritionist, programme manager, Community leader etc) on the subject
Based on training, status in the community and level of exposure to community issues/concerns
Provide expert opinion Provides an overview of the issue at hand -
the magnitude of the problem
Key informant interview
Prepare a detailed guide- covering the broad issues of the study
Adjust according to level & position of the informant in the organization or project
Tentative conclusions & or recommendations and what needs to be done in terms of cost, feasibility.
Why Key Informant interviews?
Knowledgeable and have an objective eye for the communities/organizations they represent
Fast hand detailed information used to corroborate with other qualitative and quantitative approaches
Factual e.g. policy issues
In-depth Interview (IDI)
Collection of detailed information from an individual, client, patient
A detailed guide is prepared to elicit required data more detailed
Conducted one to oneAlso referred to as Semi structured
Interviews (SSI)
Participants in-depth interviews
A person representing the problem or affected by the problem, e.g.
Expectant mother- experience with a given service
Caregiver(s)- skills and working environment- what is the experience and what needs to be done
In-depth interview quite close to case narrativesNarrative is factual personal story/evidence
information
Focus Group Discussions
Homogenous group e.g.
(ANC mothers; Orphans; HIV Clients; Youth etc. desegregated by gender & age)
Common problem for discussionParticipants 6-10 in numberIdeal time 60- 90 minutesModerator and note taker
Areas covered/applied
Provision and use of health servicesExperience with the services- quality of
careAccess to health servicesBarriers to service utilizationWhat is to be done to improve servicesWhat barriers can be removed & by who
A narrative
Involves an individual participant Performs well for patient with chronic condition May refer to livelihoods (poverty assessment-
Kwale) Purpose is to enlist participation of the client Information is experiential and incisive Sometimes provokes deep emotions
Narratives
A lead statement is adequate:What has been your experience with this illness? Examples:
Patient in terminal stages of caWidow(er) living with HIVMarried woman experiencing
infertilityOrphan and OVC
Observation
Observation is a primary method of data collection.
It can be part of qualitative as well as quantitative research ( i.e. lab experiments)
Researcher may or may not have direct contact or communication with people whose behaviour is being observed
Advantages of Qualitative Methods
Detailed & focused informationCan be documented verbatim ( with
permission)Ideas on programming and project
implementation (esp. from KII)Changes/adjustments in service delivery
Conclusion
Validation: Conduct several qualitative interviews on an issue using various tools
Qualitative methods Complement quantitative methods
Examples?