Quality in qualitative research ESRC research methods festival
- Slides: 13
Quality in qualitative research ESRC research methods festival July 2008 Jane Lewis, NCB
Coverage of talk § why is quality so difficult in qualitative § § research? Nat. Cen’s work to develop a framework some subsequent developments
Why is quality so difficult? § diversity of theoretical approaches § diversity of methods § importance of non-standardised, § § unstructured, flexible approaches concerns about ‘methodolatry’ diversity of positions on key concepts
Range of positions on quality criteria Guiding principles and ideas Reject criteria Parallel but modified criteria Alternative criteria Accept ‘traditional’ criteria
Our work to develop a framework § literature review and review of existing § § frameworks consultation developed frameworkshop refined, tested, refined
Structure and applicability § scoped applicability esp in terms of – theoretical positions – methods § 4 guiding principles § 18 appraisal questions § for each, a series of quality indicators
Some developments since: Dixon-Woods et al (2007) § used CO and CASP frameworks + § § unprompted judgement to determine inclusion in systematic review frameworks produced less agreement frameworks sensitised assessors to methodological issues tipped balance to sound but less insightful reproducability not validity
Some developments since: Walsh and Downe (2006) § reviewed 8 frameworks § synthesised and removed ‘redundant’ § criteria 12 essential criteria, 53 specific prompts
Some developments since: Daly et al (2007) hierarchy of evidence Generalizable studies Conceptual studies Descriptive studies Single case study
Conclusions § a fair amount of common ground § reducing complexity is difficult § different needs of specialists vs non§ § specialists different requirements for assessing quality vs eligibility theoretical contribution needs to be based on methodological rigour
References Spencer L, Ritchie J, Lewis J and Dillon L (2003) Quality in Qualitative Evaluation: A framework for assessing research evidence London: Cabinet Office http: //www. gsr. gov. uk/professional_guidance/quality. asp Dixons-Woods M, Sutton A, Shaw R, Miller T, Smith J, Young B, Bonas S, Booth A and Jones D (2007) ‘Appraising qualitative research for inclusion in systematic reviews: a quantitative and qualitative comparison of three methods’ in J Health Serv Res Policy vol 12 no 1 Jan 2007 Walsh D and Downe S (2006) ‘Appraising the quality of qualitative research’ in Midwifery vol 22 Daly J, Willis K, Small R, Green J, Welch N, Kealy M and Hughes E (2007) ‘A hierarch of evidence for assessing qualitative health research’ in Journal of Clinical Epidemiology vol 60
Jane Lewis : jlewis@ncb. org. uk
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- Research methodology
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