An Evaluation of the Place and Importance of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences

Abstract

Although it is applied relatively less in health sciences and services, qualitative research has developed rapidly and has gained recognition. It is seen that the use of qualitative research in the fields of health sciences, as well as various social and cultural issues, is increasing. Previously, qualitative research was only seen as a complementary component to the quantitative research method. Still, qualitative research is now recognized and increasingly used in health research with its social and cultural dimensions. More and more qualitative research articles are being published in health science journals. Unlike quantitative research, qualitative research tries to determine the meaning of a phenomenon through explanation. Qualitative research aims to develop concepts that help understand the meanings of natural phenomena by emphasizing the experiences and views of the participants. In this context, qualitative research in health-related research can make important contributions to the development of health and care services. This article is not intended to provide practical guidance on the application of qualitative research. Nevertheless, it aims to highlight the place of qualitative research in the health sciences and why it is important to use qualitative methods. In this framework, this article mainly focuses on the historical background, development, general philosophical foundations and assumptions of qualitative research, the main theoretical approaches in this field (such as embedded theory, phenomenology, and ethnography), sample selection and data collection techniques (in-depth interview, observation, documentation, etc.) and analysis tools (phenomenology, discourse analysis, content analysis and more).

Keywords

• Qualitative research
• Qualitative Method
• Qualitative Data
• Qualitative Research Design
• Methodology

Sağlık Bilimlerinde Nitel Araştırmaların Yeri ve Önemi Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme

Abstract

Sağlık bilimleri ve hizmetleri alanlarında göreli olarak daha az başvurulmasına karşın, nitel araştırmalar hızlı bir gelişme göstermiş ve tanınırlığa sahip olmuştur. Nitel araştırmaların çeşitli toplumsal ve kültürel konuların yanı sıra sağlık bilimleri alanlarında da kullanımının giderek arttığı görülmektedir. Daha önceleri nitel araştırma, yalnızca nicel araştırma yöntemini tamamlayan bir bileşeni olarak görülmekteydi ancak nitel araştırmalar artık sosyal ve kültürel boyutlarıyla sağlık araştırmalarında da tanınmakta ve giderek daha fazla kullanılmaktadır. Sağlık bilimleriyle ilgili dergilerde giderek daha fazla nitel araştırma makalesi yayınlanmaktadır. Nicel araştırmadan farklı olarak nitel araştırma, bir olgunun anlamını açıklama yoluyla belirlemeye çalışır. Nitel araştırmalar, katılımcıların deneyimlerine ve görüşlerine vurgu yaparak doğal fenomenlerin anlamlarını anlamaya yardımcı olan kavramlar geliştirmeyi amaçlar. Bu bağlamda nitel araştırmaların sağlıkla ilgili araştırmalarda kullanılması sağlık ve bakım hizmetlerinin geliştirilmesine önemli katkılar sağlayabilir. Bu makale, nitel araştırmaların uygulamasına ilişkin pratik rehberlik sağlama amacını taşımamaktadır. Yine de, sağlık bilimlerinde nitel araştırmanın yerini vurgulamayı ve nitel yöntemleri kullanmanın neden önemli olduğunu vurgulamayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu çerçevede, bu makale ağırlıklı olarak nitel araştırmanın tarihsel arka planı, gelişimi, genel felsefi temelleri ve varsayımları, bu alandaki temel kuramsal yaklaşımlar (gömülü teori, fenomenoloji ve etnografi gibi), örneklem seçimi ve veri toplama teknikleri (derinlemesine görüşme, gözlem, dokümantasyon vb.) ve analiz araçları (fenomenoloji, söylem analizi, içerik analizi ve daha fazlası) hakkında temel bilgileri sunmaktadır.

Keywords

• Nitel araştırma
• Nitel Yöntem
• Nitel Veri
• Nitel Araştırma Tasarımı
• Yöntembilim

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